Rebirth of a Town

This story is elegantly summed up in the question asked at the beginning: “What caused the transformation of Lanesboro from its semi-neglected state to the vibrant town it is today?” Residents’ recollections of Lanesboro in the 1970s and 80s are interspersed with the transformation of the Root River State Trail from a railroad line to an outdoor sports attraction. Though controversial in the 1980s, locals credit the Trail with revitalizing the area. Lanesboro and its thriving arts community are highlighted as a model for economic regeneration in other small towns, especially in Southeastern Minnesota.