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

Forestville Distillery

Photographed by McGhiever, October 4, 2025

1. Forestville Distillery Marker

Inscription.

Soon after Forestville was incorporated in 1855, the distillery opened.

Felix Meighen and Ruben Odell established Forestville's distillery. Their main product was rye whiskey, which sold for 40 cents a gallon. The distillery lasted less than a decade—increased alcohol taxes during the Civil War sunk the business.

Forestville distillery, date unknown

This is the only known photo of the distillery, taken long after it closed.

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 1855.

Location. 43° 38.445′ N, 92° 12.56′ 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. The marker is on a trail east of the parking for Historic Forestville, near trail intersection #36. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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

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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: Forestville (approx. 0.3 miles away); South Branch of the Root River (approx. 0.3 miles away); Meighen Store (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bridges (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bridges at Forestville (approx. 0.3 miles away); Historic Forestville (approx. 0.3 miles away); Forestville Sawmill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Meighen Icehouse (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Preston.

Forestville Distillery Marker in Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, October 4, 2025

2. Forestville Distillery Marker in Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 6, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.