Cathy Wurzer's Favorite Sites on Highway 61-Hastings to La Crescent

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Cathy Wurzer's Favorite Sites on Highway 61-Hastings to La Crescent

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William Gates Le Duc Estate - Hastings

This graceful, Gothic mansion is certainly one of the grandest homes along Highway 61 and in 1864 the Hastings newspaper called it the "nicest in the state." I think it is far more than that. The Le Duc Estate is beautiful. Le Duc was a very intelligent man, a dreamer, who was always trying to come up with the next big business scheme only to fall short. He's one of Minnesota's most intriguing characters.
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The T.B. Sheldon Theater - Red Wing

The Sheldon is truly one of the most beautiful theaters in Minnesota. It has risen from the ashes of not one, but two fires in its' history. The last one in the 1980's. The gold, marble and velvet throughout this "jewel box" of a theater is a feast for the eye. The theater is also said to be home to ghosts. That is why the stage manager always leaves a "ghost light" on backstage, as is customary in many theaters!
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The "cottages" of Old Frontenac - Frontenac, Minnesota

When you visit Old Frontenac, you travel back in time. I first saw this charming little village while in college when a friend took me there. I was amazed! Frontenac has the feel of the genteel South with the shutters, columns, porticos and wrought iron embellishments that grace the homes and cottages. The streets aren't paved here. Residents have worked hard to keep the old time feel of the place that was founded in the 1850-60's.
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Florence Township Hall - Frontenac, Minnesota

You can't miss this little township hall. It sits next to Highway 61 and it has lovingly been restored by some residents who fought hard to save it. The Florence Town Hall has been the official seat of government for the township since 1875, making it the oldest, continuously used town hall in Minnesota. In addition to official affairs of government, melodramas used to be held in the hall. There is even a vintage painted canvas backdrop on the stage which dates to 1918.
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La Crescent: The Apple Capitol of Minnesota - La Crescent

La Crescent is probably one of Minnesota's best kept secrets. Until I started working on "Tales of the Road-Highway 61" I had never ventured south of Winona. If you do, you'll find a place with breathtaking scenery and delicious apples. La Crescent owes its moniker as the "Apple Capitol" to John Harris, a man who proved you could grow apples in Minnesota's sometimes harsh, colder climate. To celebrate the achievements of John Harris, the town has thrown an "Applefest" since 1949.

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List posted: 9/24/2009

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Cathy Wurzer

I think the most intriguing, inspiring and interesting road in Minnesota has to be Highway 61. Like most Minnesotans, I've traveled that road thousands of times, and every time, there is always breathtaking scenery and fascinating sites and stories along almost every mile. I explored all 440 miles of the road in Minnesota from Grand Portage to La Crescent for my best selling book and Emmy nominated PBS documentary "Tales of the Road-Highway 61." I'm pretty busy as a broadcast journalist, but when I want to relax and take a road trip, I always head for Highway 61.

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