Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway

"The siege of New Ulm, Minn." is a painting by Henry August Schwabe. It depicts an attack on New Ulm on August 19, during the Dakota War of 1862.

Drawn by W. H. Childs in 1862, this work illustrates the largest mass hanging in American history, when 36 Sioux Indians were executed, presumably for deeds committed during the Dakota Wars.

A visitor admires the statue entitled "The Mothers" in Louise Park in Le Sueur.

The early morning sun casts a shadow across the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway south of Belle Plaine in the fall.

Sunrise lightens the sky in the fall on the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway.

The Minnesota River Valley gives travelers a taste of the past and present history of the Native Americans that settled in this region.

Snow and frost turn the river valley into a fairyland at Minneopa State Park. Winter exposes some unexpectedly beautiful qualities of the river valley and offers many opportunities to get out-of-doors.

The Mayo House is a simple white frame structure in downtown Le Sueur near the Rush River.

Minnepoa Falls spills over slate-gray cliffs from the rivers edge in Minneopa State Park.

Maud Hart Lovelace's childhood home is currently undergoing renovations to return it to its early 20th-century architecture.

Learn about this little house's association with the Mayo family, famous for their contributions toward medicine.

Overhanging trees give both character and shade to the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway.

A marker identifies this young hosta as "Love Pat" variety at the Arboretum & Sculpture Garden at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

A timid wild rabbit pauses to check out the surroundings from the safety of a birch tree on the grounds of the Arboretum & Sculpture Garden at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

Overhanging trees give both character and shade to the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway.

The spring green of creeping juniper stands out on the carefully tended grounds of the Arboretum & Sculpture Garden at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

Old gravestones and gravesites are scattered on the grassy hillside above St. Thomas Church.

Green fields and leafy trees surround the sixty-foot Jolly Green Giant statue greeting visitors to Blue Earth, Minnesota.

The Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway is well signed with distinctive pink and blue state byway signs, in this view looking east on Sibley County Route 6 near Belle Plaine.

Shadows fall over the front porch of the Hooper-Bowler-Hillstrom House in Belle Plaine.

A visitor imagines what it would be like to use the two story outhouse at the Hooper-Bowler-Hillstrom House in Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

A steel windmill reaches for the sky at the Hooper-Bowler-Hillstrom House in Belle Plaine.

A stone marker labels this well-preserved stone barn as the Tufto Barn, circa 1868.

Four goats stare at the onlooker from a farm somewhere alongside the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway.

A roofless silo accompanies the weathered wood buildings of this seemingly abandoned farmplace.

Faded red planks peel away from the side of this old, weathered barn.

From a roadside pull-off, near Big Stone Lake State Park, travelers can appreciate the farms that make their living in the valley. Many of these farms have been there for over a hundred years and have been passed on to family for generations.

This plaque on St. Thomas Church building informs us that the church was established in 1855 and built in 1870, and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A truck pulls a trailer along behind it in the early morning on the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway.

A visitor steps down from the entrance to St. Thomas Church.

The black-roofed steeple complements the golden stone of a church on the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway.

The simple lines of St. Thomas Church near Henderson, Minnesota stand out against a cloud-streaked sky.

This sign before the St. Thomas Church in Henderson informs visitors that this is one of the oldest parishes in Minnesota, and the nucleus of the oldest Irish settlement as well.

The home of the Belle Plaine Historical Society is indicated by this attractive sign on the front lawn of the Hooper-Bowler-Hillstrom House in Belle Plaine.

This huge Minnesota River catfish is proudly displayed by this youngster along the byway near Franklin, Minnesota in Renville County.

Hundreds of peicans gather in a nesting colony on Marsh Lake.

The Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway receives their designation plaque at the Designation 2002 event at Union Station in Washington DC.

A Canada Goose gosling wades into a creek near the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway.

This water adventurer pauses to admire the reflection of autumn leaves in the still water.

A visitor approaches the Mayo House in downtown Le Sueur.

Every August near Granite Falls, this contest draws participants and on-lookers who take in the beautiful costumes, music and dancers.

In Redwood Falls, Alexander Ramsey Park is the largest municipal park in Minnesota. It contains a zoo, golf course, waterfalls, picnic area, camping and hiking.

This beautiful waterfall is in Alexander Ramsey Park in Redwood Falls.

The drummers at the wacipi symbolize the heartbeat of the Earth and the circle of dancers represents the circle of life. While dancing,the dancers reaffirm their roles in the circle of life. - Christian Cavender, Ph. D.

Many types of farms exist in the valley - small and large, cornfields and buffalo farms exist side by side. The variety of agriculture has provided the backbone for the economy since the original pioneers claimed land here.

Well tended farmhouses and buildings reflect the pride families have in their history.

The Lac qui Parle Mission and nearby Fort Renville were important trading centers for missionaries and Dakota people alike. The mission is also home to the first church bell in Minnesota. A trail, interpretive exhibits overlook Lac qui Parle Lake.

Upper Sioux Agency and Lower Sioux Community both host Wacipis (pow-wows) every summer commemorating their heritage.

Near Henderson, the center offers educational opportunities to learn about the Minnesota River Environment.

An excellent way to see the river valley in winter snowshoes let a traveler enjoy the trails years round.

This dam near Watson, Mn creates Lac qui Parle Lake and excellent fishing opportunities.

The tributaries to the Minnesota River are just as alluring.

Containing a part of the Minnesota River Trail system, this wayside rest area offers picnic areas, camping and fishing.

Renville County has several parks along the Minnesota River that offer a variety of amenities - horse trails, camping, fishing, hiking are some of the common activities that occur here.

Fishing is a big recreational activity on the Minnesota River. In addition to fishing for catfish, Big Stone Lake has recently hosted visitors for international and national walleye contests.

Boats of all kinds utilize the Minnesota River for recreational purposes.

Upper Sioux Agency State Park offers great horse campgrounds and trail riding.

Winter scenes like this are common along the byway when travelers slow down and enjoy the valley.

Many areas of the Minnesota River remain open throughout the winter.

Walking along the shores of the "lake that speaks" a traveler might be suprised by the beauty provided by nature.

Kids take advantage of the river to cool off in the summer.

These banks provide an impressive backdrop for a tributary to the Minnesota River near Granite Falls.

The corridor traverses many ecosystems each with their own charm. Even arid desert climates exist (complete with native cacti) in the ancient rock outcrops near Ortonville.

Snow provides a striking contrast between the river bottom and the blue midwestern sky.

The early morning sun filters over fields south of Belle Plaine on the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway.

The byway road runs straight in farming country, past a drying field of corn and farm buildings.