Many people make a special stop in Mantorville in southeastern Minnesota to dine at a hometown restaurant with a statewide reputation. But a day trip to the town of 1,100 will open visitors' eyes to a quaint, nationally recognized historic downtown with antiques and art shopping, and a local brewing tradition -- all within a short drive from the Twin Cities.
Dine back in time
Mantorville is perhaps best known for the Hubbell House (502 N. Main St.; 1-507-635-2331; www.hubbellhouseres taurant.com), a restaurant that dates to 1854. John Hubbell opened the first structure as an inn and saloon, replacing it in 1856 with the current three-story building. Early guests included Ulysses S. Grant and newspaper editor and politician Horace Greeley. Over the years, the restaurant has attracted celebrities including Mickey Mantle, Roy Rogers and various Minnesota Vikings. The restaurant's walls are decorated with newspaper stories, antique china, Civil War era artifacts and its original guest register, signed by Grant in 1876.
These walls can talk
The entire 12-block downtown has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975. A self-guided walking tour guide, available at local businesses, explains the history of 35 structures. Many buildings, including the Hubbell House, were built out of local limestone that was soft when quarried but became stronger as it was exposed to the elements. One limestone building, the Dodge County Courthouse (22 E. 6th St.; 1-507-635-6239), was completed in 1871 and is the state's oldest working courthouse. The last local building constructed of Mantorville limestone was the Mantorville Opera House, built in 1918. Those two buildings, as well as the Hubbell House, are said to be haunted; members of the Twin Cities Paranormal Society have visited the town to investigate.
The Opera House (55 5th St.) is owned by the Mantorville Restoration Association, which received the 2010 community effort award from the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota for its renovation of the 150-seat opera house. The Mantorville Theatre Company (1-507-635-5420; www.mantorvillain.com) stages productions at the Opera House throughout the year.
Local brewing tradition
Near the ruins of the town's original brewery, built in 1874 of limestone, Mantorville Brewing Co. (101 E. 5th St.; 651-387-0708; www.mantorville beer.com) has revived the local brewing tradition. The company's Stagecoach ales and porters are available on tap at the Hubbell House and the Mantorville Saloon and are sold in stores in southeastern Minnesota and the Twin Cities. The brewery is open for tours by appointment.
