Lanesboro, Minnesota

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Lanesboro, Minnesota
settlement_type = City
nickname =
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Lanesboro, Minnesota


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Minnesota
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Fillmore

government_footnotes =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 3.4
area_land_km2 = 3.4
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 1.3
area_land_sq_mi = 1.3
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 788
population_density_km2 = 229.9
population_density_sq_mi = 595.4

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 261
elevation_ft = 856
latd = 43 |latm = 43 |lats = 3 |latNS = N
longd = 91 |longm = 58 |longs = 30 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 55949
area_code = 507
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 27-35450GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0646474GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Lanesboro is a city in Fillmore County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 788 at the 2000 census. The town is a popular destination for tourists. The Root River flows through town, with a waterfall on the edge of town. The Root River State Trail and other bike paths also serve the town. The Amish community is prevalent in the area and the town is home to many unique shops and restaurants.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 788 people, 384 households, and 221 families residing in the city. The population density was 595.4 people per square mile (230.5/km²). There were 424 housing units at an average density of 320.3/sq mi (124.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.24% White, 0.25% African American, 0.13% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 0.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.25% of the population.

There were 384 households out of which 19.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 4.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.70.

In the city the population was spread out with 18.0% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,206, and the median income for a family was $43,571. Males had a median income of $26,477 versus $22,115 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,311. About 7.7% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 21.1% of those age 65 or over.

Recognition

Lanesboro received the Great American Main Street Award in 1998. Author John Villani named the community one of the 100 Best Small Art Towns in America. It has also been rated one of the 50 Best Outdoor Sports Towns by Sports Afield magazine. [ [http://www.lanesboro.com/ Website of Lanesboro, MN] Retrieved February 18 2007]

- Jewelry artists Liz Bucheit and Kary Kilmer of Crown Trout Jewelers were finalist in the 2002 International Gold Virtuosi Jewelry Design Competition. One of four American jewelry studios that were given the distinction from 5200 total world entries.

Most recently, Outside Magazine featured the community "as one of the 20 Best Dream Towns in America." [ [http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200408/best_american_dream_towns_2.html 2004 American Dream Towns, Outside Magazine] Retrieved February 18 2007]

Culture

Since 1989, Lanesboro has been home to the Commonweal Theatre Company, a professional ensemble dedicated to celebrating the human condition through actor-based story-telling. Each year, the Commonweal offers 4-6 plays ranging from Ibsen to family-friendly entertainment to holiday classics. During the summer months, 2 plays run in repertory, providing visitors an opportunity to see two different shows during their stay in the area. The Commonweal, in cooperation with area businesses and organizations, hosts an annual Ibsen Festival celebrating Norwegian art and culture through workshops, lectures, food and featuring Commonweal's production of an Ibsen play. A live, one hour radio show, "Over the Back Fence," is broadcast each Sunday evening from the theatre during the summer months with tickets sold at the door. On July 7, 2007, the Commonweal opened a brand new theater facility, aptly named The Commonweal. This new $3.5 million home seats 191 patrons in a thrust auditorium with an exterior designed to complement historic Lanesboro. The interior design was co-ordinated by area artist Karl Unnasch with regional elements such as reclaimed barn stone and lumber, cement floors and a permament installation of area objects. . [ [http://www.commonwealtheatre.org/ Commonweal Theatre Company Website] Retrieved February 18 2007]

The Cornucopia Art Center is located in downtown Lanesboro. The spacious galleries showcase works from regional artists and frequently host traveling exhibitions. [ [http://www.lanesboroarts.org/ Cornucopia Art Center] Retrieved February 18 2007]

Events

Every Father's Day in June, an art festival, dubbed "Art in the Park" fills the town's Sylvan Park. Near summer's end, the popular "Buffalo Bill Days" celebrates one of Lanesboro's famous frequent visitors, Buffalo Bill. As the town's tourist popularity grows, more festivals and get-togethers are added to the town's busy schedule of events.

In 2008, the Governor of Minnesota declared Lanesboro as the Rhubarb Capitol of Minnesota. The first weekend in June Lanesboro hosts a Rhubarb Festival. In 2007, Garrison Keillor broadcasted his Prairie Home Companion from the softball diamond in Lanesboro featuring many stories and songs about rhubarb.

Every Wednesday and Saturday during the growing season, the Lanesboro Farmers' Market can be found in Sylvan Park.

References

External links

* [http://www.lanesboro.com Lanesboro, Minnesota official website]
* [http://www.crowntrout.com Crown Trout Jewelers]