Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park near Preston in Fillmore County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Forestville Sawmill

Photographed by McGhiever, October 4, 2025

1. Forestville Sawmill Marker

Inscription.

In the early 1850s, demand for new houses in southeastern Minnesota created a need for sawmills.

Thomas Meighen and Herman Luedtke built a steam-powered sawmill near this spot in 1892. To run their mill, they bought a 14-horsepower engine for $275 ($9,500 today) at a sheriff's sale.

The Forestville sawmill in action, about 1900

To decrease the risk of fire, the small building on the far left of this photo housed the sawmill's engine. The buildings that make up today's historic site are in the background.

MNHS collections

Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 43° 38.52′ N, 92° 12.933′ W. Marker is near Preston, Minnesota, in Fillmore County. It is in Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. It can be reached from County Road 118, on the left. The marker is near the footbridge over the Root River, just north of the historic site parking. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Preston MN 55965, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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 Rupert’s 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 (within shouting distance of this marker); Meighen Icehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Forestville (within shouting distance of this marker); Bridges at Forestville (within shouting distance of this marker); Forestville (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); South Branch of the Root River (about 300 feet away); Meighen Store (about 400 feet away); Forestville Gristmill (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Preston.

Forestville Sawmill Marker just west of the footbridge over the Root River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, October 4, 2025

2. Forestville Sawmill Marker just west of the footbridge over the Root River

Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.