City of Spring Grove

When a group of immigrants from Hallingdal, Norway, began putting down roots in Spring Grove Township in the 1850s, they established the first of many Norwegian settlements in Minnesota. By 1870, the town was home to 1,135 Norwegians and only a few dozen non-Norwegians. The strong Nordic heritage of this community endures to this day. The traditional Norwegian folk art of rosemaling (the painting or carving of floral designs) can be seen on the town’s water tower, as well as on many of the local window boxes. Sculptures of Norwegian heroes, the Christmas lighting of Viking Memorial Park, and the celebration of the Syttende Mai Festival in mid-May, all help to keep the town’s Nordic heritage alive. Summer enjoyments, such as Ye Olde Opera House Summer Musical, a horseback riding trail, a walking trail, and shopping are reasons to spend time in this historic Minnesota town.