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.

Almelund Mercantile

Scandinavian Gifts & Antiques, Baked Goods, Local Coffee, Ice Cream and Organics
15790 Maple Lane
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
(651) 583-2083

Amador Heritage Center

Swedish Log Cabins and Schoolhouse Museum.
Maple Street
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
(651) 465-3125

Center City Historic District

Historic Collection of Swedish Homes built in the Mid-1800’s
Summit Avenue
Center City,MN 55012

Chisago County All Veteran’s Memorial

Memorial Park
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
(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
(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.

Daniel Lindstrom’s Log Cabin Site

12565 Lake Blvd
Lindstrom, MN 55045

Extortion 17 Veteran’s Memorial

Moberg Park
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
(651) 465-5265

Friends of the Karl Oskar House

PO Box 12
Lindstrom, MN 55045
(651) 257-4697

Gammelgarden Museum

Experience the Life of Early Swedish Immigrants.
20880 Olinda Trail
Scandia, MN 55073
(651) 433-5053

Glader Cemetery

Oldest Swedish Pioneer Cemetery in Minnesota.
29144 Glader Blvd
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
(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
(651) 257-5310

Immanuel Lutheran Church

Organized in 1887 by Swedish Immigrants.
37515 Park Trail
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
(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

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

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
(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
(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
(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
(651) 257-1177

Per Andersson, Daniel Lindstrom, Erik Norelius Sculptures

Lindstrom’s Founding Fathers.
West End of Lake Blvd
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 Historical Society

272 West Government Street
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
(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
(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
(651) 257-4162

Vilhelm Moberg’s Desk

Author of “The Emigrants” book series.
Chisago County Press Foyer
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
(651) 465-3125

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