Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park near Preston in Fillmore County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Historic Forestville
Photographed by McGhiever, October 4, 2025
1. Historic Forestville Marker
Step into the story of a 19th-century farming town.
Two 1851 treaties ceded Dakota lands to the United States, opening southern Minnesota to settlement. European American immigrants rushed into the territory.
In the early 1850s, the Henry, Foster, and Meighen families staked claims near the Root River. They founded Forestville here. Within a few years, stores, hotels, mills, and other businesses lined the streets. A stagecoach line connected the town to nearby communities.
Despite a promising start, Forestville struggled. Railroads bypassed the town; its population fell after 1868. Departing businesses and families sold their land to the Meighens. In time, Forestville became a family-owned company town. Farmworkers received their wages in "scrip" private currency that could only be used at the company store.
Forestville's post office closed in 1902; the general store in 1910. Now part of Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, the site offers a glimpse into the life of a 19th-century town.
The Historic Forestville grounds are open for free, self-guided exploration from dawn until dusk.
Experience this historic townsite at your own pace and find the well-preserved general store and homestead, as well as the sites within the state park wherethe gristmill, distillery, cemetery, and schoolhouse once stood.
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Follow the state park trails for interpretive signage.
Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.
Location. 43° 38.548′ N, 92° 12.917′ W. Marker is near Preston, Minnesota, in Fillmore County. It is in Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. It is on the Sandbank Trail west of County Road 118, on the right when traveling west. The marker is adjacent to the fence along the south side of the historic site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21899 County Road 118, Preston MN 55965, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota and in Greater Rochester. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Driftless Area Bluff Country. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bridges at Forestville (a few steps from this marker); Meighen Icehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Bridges (within shouting distance of this marker); South Branch of the Root River (within shouting distance of this marker); Forestville Sawmill (within shouting distance of this marker); Meighen Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Forestville (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brick Schoolhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Preston.
Photographed by McGhiever, October 4, 2025
2. Historic Forestville Marker on the fence south of the Meighen Store
Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 26, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
