History & Heritage
Remnants of by-gone eras continue to live on in Chisago Lakes. Native American, French-Canadian, and most notably, Swedish. All have left their mark on the community. To the Ojibwa, who resided here long ago, this land was called “ki chi saga” meaning “fair and lovely waters”.
A Rich Past
Originally home to the Dakota, Ojibwe, & Chippewa tribes the St. Croix River Valley changed dramatically around the 1850’s when Swedish immigrants came and settled in what we now call the Chisago Lakes area. The French-Canadian traders, who sighted the huge stone cross when traveling by river, named it “St. Croix” which means Holy Cross. Immortalized by author Vilhelm Moberg, the Swedish immigration story is captured in books he wrote about fictional characters Karl Oskar and Kristina. Visit historic monuments, walk along the Swedish Immigrant Trail, follow the bold and beautiful Swedish Barn Quilt Trail and enjoy the quiet beauty that drew settlers long ago.
Things to Do
Almelund Mercantile
Scandinavian Gifts & Antiques, Baked Goods, Local Coffee, Ice Cream and Organics
15790 Maple Lane
Almelund, MN 55012
Almelund, MN 55012
(651) 583-3696
Almelund Threshing Show
Good Old Fashion Fun the 2nd Weekend in August. Tractors, Saw Mill, Displays, Food, Entertainment.
17760 St. Croix Trail
Taylors Falls,MN 55084
Taylors Falls,MN 55084
(651) 583-2083
Amador Heritage Center
Swedish Log Cabins and Schoolhouse Museum.
Maple Street
Almelund, MN 55012
Almelund, MN 55012
(651) 269-3580
Angel Hill Historic District
Historic Collection of New England- Style Greek Revival Homes built in the Mid-1800’s.
Taylors Falls Historical Society
First Street Area
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
First Street Area
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
(651) 465-3125
Center City Historic District
Historic Collection of Swedish Homes built in the Mid-1800’s
Summit Avenue
Center City,MN 55012
Center City,MN 55012
Chisago County All Veteran’s Memorial
Memorial Park
30525 Linden Street
Lindstrom, MN 55045
30525 Linden Street
Lindstrom, MN 55045
(651) 257-0620
Chisago County Historical Society
Your resource for research and discovery of the county, families, and social customs of our past. Enjoy the historic displays and purchase some good old fashioned candy!
12795 Lake Blvd
Lindstrom, MN 55045
Lindstrom, MN 55045
(651) 257-5310
Chisago Lakes Evangelical Lutheran Church
Organized in 1854 by Swedish Immigrants, built in 1889. Featured in “Grumpy Old Men” movie.
1 Summit Ave
Center City, MN 55012
Center City, MN 55012
(651) 257-6300
Chisago Lakes Barn Quilt Trail
Follow the trail of large, colorful quilt squares on buildings along the Highway 8 corridor from Chisago City to Taylors Falls.
Extortion 17 Veteran’s Memorial
Moberg Park
10625 Railroad Ave
Chisago City, MN 55013
10625 Railroad Ave
Chisago City, MN 55013
(651) 257-4162
First Evangelical Lutheran Church
Organized in 1860 by Swedish Immigrants. Current Structure Built in 1903.
561 Chestnut St
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
(651) 465-5265
Friends of the Karl Oskar House
PO Box 12
Lindstrom, MN 55045
Lindstrom, MN 55045
(651) 257-4697
Gammelgarden Museum
Experience the Life of Early Swedish Immigrants.
20880 Olinda Trail
Scandia, MN 55073
Scandia, MN 55073
(651) 433-5053
Glader Cemetery
Oldest Swedish Pioneer Cemetery in Minnesota.
29144 Glader Blvd
Lindstrom, MN 55045
Lindstrom, MN 55045
(651) 257-6300
Glädje
Glädje is a regional, professional, fine art gallery located in Lindstrom, Minnesota. We are known across the Midwest and beyond for our vast selection of artwork, affordable Scandinavian gifts, high-quality home decor, in-house custom framing, and art restoration.
13025 Lake Blvd
Lindström, Minnesota 55045
Lindström, Minnesota 55045
(651) 257-1821
Gustaf Anderson House
Built in 1879 in the Italianate Style for Gustaf Anderson. Now, Gustaf’s on Main Eatery.
13045 Lake Blvd
Lindstrom, MN 55045
Lindstrom, MN 55045
(651) 257-5310
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Organized in 1887 by Swedish Immigrants.
37515 Park Trail
Center City, MN 55012
Center City, MN 55012
(651) 583-2340
Ironhorse Central Railroad Museum
Home of the Sunrise Northern Scenic Railway and an 1895 depot.
24880 Morgan Ave
Chisago City, MN 55013
Chisago City, MN 55013
(651) 357-3394
Karl Oskar & Kristina Statue
Characters in Vilhelm Moberg’s novels “The Emigrants”.
Chisago County Press frontage
12631 Lake Blvd
Lindstrom, MN 55045
12631 Lake Blvd
Lindstrom, MN 55045
Lars J. Thorsander House
Original log home built in 1869, current home built in 1938. Now the Country Bed & Breakfast.
17038 320th St
Shafer, MN 55074
Shafer, MN 55074
Lindström Historical Walking Tour
Stroll the streets of America’s Little Sweden
Moody Round Barn and Township Park
Built in 1915 by Charles Moody.
24401 Lofton Ave
Chisago City, MN 55013
Chisago City, MN 55013
(651) 257-5310
Nellie Gustafson Sculpture
Swedish Mid-Wife in Lindstrom in the Early 1900’s.
Chisago Lakes Library
11754 302nd St
Chisago City, MN 55013
11754 302nd St
Chisago City, MN 55013
(651) 257-2817
Northern Pacific Railway Depot
Built in 1902. Taylors Falls Memorial Community Center and Visitor Center.
312 Government St
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
(651) 465-5133
Nya Duvemala
The Home of Swedish Book Characters Karl Oskar and Kristina of the Emigrant Series by Vilhelm Moberg.
Karl Oskar House
29061 Glader Blvd
Lindstrom, MN 55045
29061 Glader Blvd
Lindstrom, MN 55045
(651) 257-1177
Per Andersson, Daniel Lindstrom, Erik Norelius Sculptures
Lindstrom’s Founding Fathers.
West End of Lake Blvd
Lindstrom, MN 55045
Lindstrom, MN 55045
Swedish Circle Tour
Learn of the rich Swedish Heritage while traveling the towns in the area.
Swedish Coffee Pot Water Tower
A Local Landmark since 1992.
Lindstrom, MN 55045
(651) 257-0620
Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail
Enjoy 11 miles of this beautiful, multi-use trail. The west segment starts near the Chisago Lakes Area Library in Chisago City and continues eastward to Center City. The east segment starts in Shafer at Redwing & 303rd and ends in Taylors Falls.
Taylors Falls Historic Public Schoolhouse
Oldest Existing Public Schoolhouse in MN.
Government Street
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
Taylors Falls Historical Society
272 West Government Street
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
(651) 465-3125
Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours
Learn the Area’s History while Enjoying a Cruise on the Scenic St. Croix River.
155 South St
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
(651) 465-6315
Taylors Falls United Methodist Church
Oldest continuously used Methodist Church in MN. Organized in 1859, Built in 1861.
290 W Government St
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
(651) 465-1001
Vilhelm Moberg Statue
Author of “The Emigrants,” a novel series about Swedish immigrants Karl Oskar and Kristina Nilsson.
Moberg Park
10625 Railroad Ave
Chisago City, MN 55013
10625 Railroad Ave
Chisago City, MN 55013
(651) 257-4162
Vilhelm Moberg’s Desk
Author of “The Emigrants” book series.
Chisago County Press Foyer
12631 Lake Blvd
Lindstrom, MN 55045
12631 Lake Blvd
Lindstrom, MN 55045
W.H.C. Folsom House Museum
Historic Home of Lumber Magnate W.H.C. Folsom built in 1855.
272 W Government St
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
(651) 465-3125
