Motorists traveling between the Twin Cities and Rochester don't have to stray far from Hwy. 52 to find a gem of a town. Zumbrota, Minn. -- the only Zumbrota in the world, as a matter of fact -- is worth exploring for its singular history and its variety of shopping and entertainment options.
A historic bridge
Settled by New Englanders in 1856, Zumbrota is perhaps best known for its covered bridge, the only remaining authentic covered bridge in Minnesota. Constructed in 1869, the bridge has been moved slightly west of its original location across the Zumbro River and is steps away from City Hall.
Once an important river crossing for settlers and for farmers taking crops to Red Wing, the covered bridge now is traversed by parents with strollers, joggers, and kids on their way to the Covered Bridge Park on the river's northern bank. The 85-acre park has a picnic shelter, a 10,000-square-foot playground, a public pool, campground and 5 miles of trails for bicycling, walking, horseback riding and snowmobiling.
Visitors wishing to learn more about the bridge's history can purchase a video and related books at the Zumbrota Area Historical Society (55 E. 3rd St.; 1-507-732-7333; www.zumbrotahistory.com). Located in the former City Hall and Fire Hall, the museum is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and by appointment. Its prized possession is a Civil War-era drum that belonged to Zumbrota resident Louis Abend, who was a drummer with the 165th Pennsylvania Infantry and the 3rd New York Cavalry. His claim to fame was playing the drum at President Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration, and a month later, at Lincoln's funeral procession.
A hub of arts and culture
Around the corner from the museum is the town's center of cultural activity, Crossings at Carnegie (320 East Av.; 1-507-732-7616; www.crossingsatcarnegie.com), formerly the state's smallest Carnegie library. Marie Marvin bought it in 2001 and transformed it into a wonder of a place that serves multiple uses; it's an art gallery, a gift shop, a 100-seat concert hall, and a classroom for everything from pottery and drawing to yoga and Spanish.
A Zumbrota native, Marvin learned after she bought the 102-year-old building that her great-aunt was its first librarian. She can point out where the checkout desk used to be, and where the children's books were located. The gallery exhibit changes every month, and the concert schedule is packed with national and regional performers like Michael Johnson, Peter Ostroushko and Bo Ramsey.
