Town of the Week

Caledonia, Minnesota
March 11, 2000

Head over to Caledonia, Minnesota; just listen in.

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One of the oldest cities in Minnesota is named for the ancient Capitol of Scotland, Caledonia. Founded by Samuel McPhail in 1853, the town's annual Scottish heritage dinner will be held later this month, complete with kilts and bagpipes. There is also a founder's day celebration each June.

Caledonia is located in southeastern Minnesota's historic bluff country, the driftless area which contains the state's only hardwood forest. Known as the wild turkey capital of Minnesota, Caledonia is the seat of Houston County. Criminals generally avoid Caledonia, because it has the state's oldest jail.

The Schech Mill on Crooked Creek is the only grist mill in Minnesota still in operating condition, with all the original equipment, and where stone ground flour is available for purchase. The town's fairgrounds contain a historic village with cabin, town hall, school and church saved from destruction elsewhere and moved to this site where it's a big hit each summer during the Houston County Fair. Caledonia has its own historian, Dr. Alan Fleischmann, who has compiled five volumes of the town's history.

For recreation, there's Beaver Creek State Park, just three miles to the north. It's the home of the High School Warriors, and our Town of the Week, Caledonia, Minnesota.