Harmony in Fillmore County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Let's Have "Harmony"
The Biggest Little Town in Southern Minnesota
Photographed by McGhiever, October 5, 2025
1. Let's Have "Harmony" Marker
July 4th Celebration
At the July 4th celebration, you can see the cars beautifully decorated. Tollef Sanderson's car (center) was decorated, and his three daughters and son were in the car.
The roof line at the far right is as it remains today. It was built by Theo Applen and housed a general store, then it became Riseland and McGee's Hardware followed by other owners that continued to use it as a hardware store.
The building identified as a tin shop in the photo was first used as a general store, then as Riseland & McGee's tin shop, followed by plumbing and heating and more recently Ronnie's Cafι.
The next building north is the Bruflodt building, the third building built in Harmony, intended as a meat market but not used for that purpose. There were many occupants as the building was divided: barbershop, early Jem Theatre, insurance, cafι and others.
The A. Harstad and Son Harness Shop became Ford sales, a garage, also a meat market, before it was torn down.
Barber Shop - New Equipment
The photo shows the barber shop of Milford Rostvold in 1934, with the 3 new chairs and other new equipment in his barber
this page online
Picture in Harmony News
Riseland & McGee Hardware
Advertisement painted on the side of the Riseland & McGee Hardware Store circa 1914.
Horses in the Snow
The horses are clearing the snow in front of the Applen Hardware Store, which later became the Riseland & McGee Hardware. The next building to the north was Ronnie's Cafι, Hallisy & McCCarty, General Merchandise; and then the Bruflodt building (the 3rd original business building in Harmony).
Harmony's Restaurants
Harmony had five great restaurants on Main Street in the '50s: The Travel Inn, The Silver Grill, Franks, Harmony Cafι and Ronnie's Cafι. Ronnie's was noted for their fabulous sweet rolls for 25 cents. The secret recipe lives on and you can still buy a Ronnie's roll in Decorah, Iowa today. (Courtesy of Harmony News)
"Keep to the Right"
As noted in the photo, the post placed in the center of Main Street stated, "Keep to the Right."
As cars replaced horses, it became necessary to have the cars travel in one lane going north and one lane going south.
Jem Theatre
There has been a movie theater in Harmony since the early days of the silent movies. Jem
Photographed by McGhiever, October 5, 2025
2. Let's Have "Harmony" Marker looking at the Jem Theatre across the street
Memories of the old days at the movies recall the exciting Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the old Jem Theatre. There ws the thrill of possibly having your name called as the winner on Bank Night. From 1940 to 1943, that was a regular crowd pleaser. The money won ranged from $50 to $100, which was certainly no paltry sum in those days. If not a winner on those evenings, you could return on Friday or Saturday night and try again to win a chair. In those days, there were three separate films run each week.
In 1940 J. M. Rostvold decided to construct a new, modern fireproof, steel, tile and concrete structure for the new theater. The estimated cost was set at $18,000. The most modern equipment of the day was installed, and that, along with soft leather and corduroy seats and other convenience, it was said to have brought the total cost somewhere near the $30,000 figure. Quite a grand expenditure in a town of 1,000. The new theatre could seat 300 persons and films were run seven nights a week, plus Sunday afternoon matinee. There was a small increase in the price of a ticket: from 25 cents to 30 cents and a number of people stayed away due to the increase.
Business boomed in the new building for two years, but slackened off during World War II as young men left for the service. As business continued to drop due to the war, Rostvold also went into the service to continue his trade as a barber. In 1943 he sold the Jem, but it did not succeed. At that point it was turned into a bowling alley from 1943 to 1947. It offered space for only four lanes and no room for spectators. After 5 years the bowling alley closed and the Jem sat vacant from 1947 to 1961.
Upon returning from California, Bob and Hazel Johnson moved to Harmony in 1960. Looking for something to do, they decided to take the plunge and converted the theatre back to its original use. The Jem reopened in 1961. They installed 250 new seats and a change to the showings took place by having one feature on Friday and Saturday evenings, and a different feature on Sunday and Monday evenings, and a price increase of $2.00
They retired in 1986 due to Bob's poor health.
"The JEM is the only operating movie theatre in Fillmore County, and the prospects look good for the future."
(Courtesy of Harmony News)
Erected 2017 by the Harmony Area Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 43° 33.27′ N, 92° 0.606′ W. Marker is in Harmony, Minnesota, in Fillmore County. It is at the intersection of Main Avenue (Minnesota Route 139) and Center Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 Main Avenue N, Harmony MN 55939, 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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (about 500 feet away); Historic McMichael Grain Elevator Preservation Project (about 600 feet away); The Heritage of Downtown Preston (approx. 8.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harmony.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
