Preston in Fillmore County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Welcome to Preston: Area Attractions
Photographed by McGhiever, October 5, 2025
1. Welcome to Preston Marker
Consider this your personal invitation to visit Preston, Minnesota, located along the Root River in scenic Historic Bluff Country!
Preston, also known as "Minnesota's Trout Capital," is a welcoming, family-fun destination offering a wide variety of historical, educational, and recreational activities to choose from: Fish blue ribbon cold water streams, bike, hike, or ski two state trails, visit the National Trout Center, take a cave tour, experience an Amish tour, canoe or tube down the Root River, tour Historic Forestville, visit Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, snowmobile miles of groomed trails or visit the State Veterans Cemetery.
Preston offers shopping, fine dining, unique overnight accommodations and camping facilities. Reach us via the Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway or fly into the Fillmore County Airport to start your Preston adventure experience. now's the time to "Get Hooked on Preston"! Start planning your Preston visit today!
Preston's History & Heritage
John Kaercher
Preston was founded by John Kaercher in 1853. The location was desirable, as the Root River afforded opportunities
this page online
Located in the "Driftless Area" of the state, the Preston area was untouched by glaciers and is now a mecca of karst geology, hardwood forests, abundant wildlife, and numerous springs, books and streams.
Saint Paul Street 1865 - Preston
Fun History Fact
Preston has served as the Fillmore County seat since 1856!
Fillmore County Airport
Visit the Fillmore County Airport
The Fillmore County Airport includes a 4,000 by 75 foot paved runway. The Airport provides a convenient and valuable transportation link for the local communities by allowing businesses and individuals to use general aviation instead of dealing with the airline hub system. The airport has a suitable fuel system that is available for use 24/7 and is installed with a credit card reader. The Fillmore County Airport also has a courtesy car.
State Veterans Cemetery
The Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery
Photographed by McGhiever, October 5, 2025
2. Welcome to Preston: Area Attractions marker at the Preston Trailhead
Southeastern Minnesota Veterans Cemetery, Fillmore County, City of Preston
The Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery follows the same eligibility requirements as the National Cemetery Administration. If a veteran is eligible to be buried in a national cemetery, he/she is also eligible to be buried in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. To be eligible for burial, a veteran must have received an other than dishonorable discharge from active military service. Members of the National Guard and Reservists who have served at least 20 years are also eligible for burial. The spouse and dependent children of an eligible veteran are also eligible for burial.
Largest Chimney Swift Bird Population in Minnesota
Chimney Swift Birds
Audubon Minnesota recognized Preston as having the largest and most active Chimney Swift population in the state. Swifts feed exclusively on flying insects, like mosquitoes, which is "good news" for bikers and campers in Preston.
Gather nightly at dusk at the Trailhead parking lot April through August to watch these amazing birds dive by the hundreds into their nighttime roosting spot, a masonry chimney attached to the Trailhead Inn and Suites.
Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway
As you drive into Preston, you will be treated to one of the most beautiful panoramas in all of southeast Minnesota. Preston is one of several scenic river towns along this 88-mile route. Enjoy quaint country charm and breathtaking scenery as you pass impressive limestone bluffs, acres of hardwood forest, and numerous rivers and streams which delight fishermen, birdwatchers, photographers, and motorcyclists alike.
Amish Communities & Guided Amish Tours
Amish buggy
Step back in time as you learn about the Amish way of life on a guided Amish tour. Experience Amish culture firsthand and see how they live, work, and play. Opportunities available on tour to purchase Amish baked goods and handcrafted items. Tours are fun and educational for all ages.
The Amish communities near Preston are frequent users of Hwy 52. Most of the Amish farmsteads are located off the highway on county roads. Drive carefully as you pass their horse and buggy vehicles which remind us of a bygone era.
Amish families first began to settle in Minnesota in the late 1800's. Today the Preston, Harmony, and Canton area of Fillmore County is home to Minnesota's largest Amish settlement, with 7 church districts and approximately 1,000 people.
A second Fillmore County settlement is found at Granger, 14 miles south of Preston. The Granger Amish community with 3 church districts actually spills over the state line into Iowa and is recognized as the second largest Amish settlement in Minnesota.
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
Mystery Cave
Take a naturalist led tour of Mystery Cave, the longest cave in Minnesota, featuring stalactites, stalagmites and underground pools. The State Park offers blue ribbon trout fishing streams, camping, horseback riding trails, horse camping facilities, cross country skiing and snowmobile trails.
Fun Trail Fact
Two state bike trails run through the heart of Preston, offering 60 miles of paved trails for your enjoyment!
Milwaukee Elevator
This original 1902 Milwaukee Elevator Co. grain building is also home to a restored 1939 Milwaukee Rail Road boxcar and 1951 caboose. Future improvements include ongoing reconstruction of former elevator buildings enabling the site to become a grain elevator and transportation interpretive center, highlighting grain handling and rural agricultural practices used over the years. Located next to the Trailhead.
The Root River
The Root River runs right through Preston and offers many activities in and around the river. Bring or rent a canoe or tube and float the river to the edge of town at Hwy 52, to The Old Barn Resort or even Lanesboro. Fish, swim and play in the river, or enjoy a walk or bike ride on the Root River Trail that goes along the river.
Historic Forestville: Life in the Late 1800's
Go back in time as costumed guides go about their daily business at Historic Forestville, a 19th century pioneer village. Visit the general store with original 19th century merchandise. Tour the homestead and farm buildings which feature original artifacts. You can even lend a hand with daily chores of the era like baking bread, tending the garden, and cutting wood.
Trails
Root River State Bike Trail
Biking Group in Preston
The Root River Trail system attracts thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each season.
Discover the dramatic river-carved limestone bluffs of southeastern Minnesota on this paved, 42 mile trail. Constructed on an abandoned railroad, the trail follows the path of the Root River. Riding the trail you may see people canoeing, kayaking, or tubing on the river. Bike and water craft outfitters are located in nearby Lanesboro.
Preston Walking Tour
Enjoy a leisurely downtown stroll to view and appreciate Preston's historical architecture. Walking maps available at the Preston Tourism Center or download at: www.prestonmntourism.com
Harmony-Preston Valley State Bike Trail
Ride over rolling hills and through scenic valleys on this 18 mile multiple use trail between Preston and Harmony. The trail follows the South Branch of the Root River, passing through a variety of wooded areas and farmland. A new 1-mile extension of the trail has been added west of Preston heading towards Forestville State Park.
Wildlife is abundant along both trails and sightings of bald eagles, wild turkey, deer, hawks, and turkey vultures are common. The Root River State Trail and the Harmon - Preston Valley State Trail connect near Isinours Forest Junction. During the summer months the trails are used for biking, hiking, and in-line skating. The trails are also groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter. Trail maps are available at the Preston Tourism Center or print one online: www.rootrivertrail.org
Erected 2015.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 43° 40.25′ N, 92° 4.741′ W. Marker is in Preston, Minnesota, in Fillmore County. It can be reached from the intersection of Fillmore Street E. (County Road 12) and Center Street NE, on the right when traveling west. The marker is at the Preston Trailhead, at the midpoint of the west edge of the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 Center Street, 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: The Heritage of Downtown Preston (within shouting distance of this marker); The Milwaukee Road in Preston / A Day on the Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Preston (within shouting distance of this marker); Agriculture and Angling (within shouting distance of this marker); Preston All-Wars Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Preston Public Library (approx. Ό mile away); Jesse Potter Nehring (approx. Ό mile away); Preston Overlook (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Preston.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 52 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
