The “Sweden of America” Has a Giant Coffee Pot Water Tower & Bilingual Street Signs in the Heart of Minnesota

Lindstrom, Minnesota

Just 42 minutes north of the Twin Cities lies Lindstrom, a welcoming town that’s proud to be called Minnesota’s “Little Sweden.”

The community of less than 5,000 residents spreads along five connected lakes that cover 3,400 acres of sparkling water.

Since 1894, Lindstrom has kept its Swedish roots alive through its buildings, festivals, and warm community spirit. Here are some of our favorite facts about this Midwest gem.

Authentic Swedish Heritage

Walk down Gustaf Avenue and you’ll spot cheerful Swedish flags flying next to American ones, telling the story of a town founded by brave immigrants. Orange and blue wooden horses, called Dala horses, guard the downtown streets with pride, reminding visitors of the town’s unique history.

Look up and you’ll see Lindstrom’s famous coffee pot water tower, built in 1914 as a symbol of Swedish coffee culture.

The streets have signs in both English and Swedish, while the Karl Oskar and Kristina statue stands in Gustaf Square, drawing thousands of visitors who come to trace their family roots.

Many buildings feature traditional Swedish designs, from red-painted timber walls to decorative crown moldings that catch the eye.

Ki-Chi-Saga Park

Ki-Chi-Saga Park spreads across 80 acres of lakefront land, offering a perfect outdoor escape for everyone. Walking trails stretch for 2.5 miles through native grasslands and past majestic oak trees that have stood for 200 years, providing shade for generations of visitors.

In summer, you can spot over 20 types of butterflies dancing in the dedicated garden while families enjoy picnics in five lakeside shelters.

The 300-foot sandy beach offers a great place to cool off, while the 120-foot fishing pier lets you try your luck catching walleye and northern pike all year round. The park transforms in winter, when snow-covered trails welcome cross-country skiers and snowshoers.

A Drive with Swedish Spirit

Take a peaceful drive on the 12-mile Swedish Circle Tour to discover the best of Lindstrom’s countryside and history. Along the way, you’ll find 15 markers that share fascinating stories of Swedish settlers who arrived in the 1850s, bringing their dreams and traditions to this new land.

The route leads past historic farmhouses, including the beautiful Carlson cottage with its traditional red-painted walls. You’ll see unique Swedish fence styles and gates marking old property lines, just as they did over 150 years ago.

Dala horse murals

Downtown Lindstrom tells its story through 24 colorful Dala horse murals painted on historic buildings. Each mural shares a different chapter of the town’s Swedish history, from the first settlers in 1894 to the thriving community of today.

See if you can spot the original Swedish post office boxes still in place, a reminder of how settlers kept in touch with loved ones back home. Gardens throughout town grow the same plants that the first families brought from Sweden, while wooden signs carved with traditional Nordic patterns mark important cultural spots.

Lakeside Beauty

Grab a canoe or kayak to explore the 8-mile water trail that connects North Center, South Center, Little, Chisago, and Wallmark Lakes. With 10 easy places to launch your boat and 42 marker buoys showing the way, you can safely discover hidden coves and peaceful shorelines.

Watch for wildlife as you paddle – you might see trumpeter swans gliding by, great blue herons fishing in the shallows, or ospreys diving for their next meal. The trail system provides detailed maps showing underwater features and the best spots to observe nature.

Winter in Little Sweden

When winter arrives, Lindstrom transforms into a snowy playground that would make its Swedish ancestors proud. Ski through pine forests on 6.5 miles of perfectly groomed trails, or join the community of ice fishers who create a village of over 100 fishing houses on frozen South Center Lake.

Try snowshoeing on 3 miles of peaceful trails, or join in traditional Swedish winter games. Local favorites include kubb, a Viking chess game played in the snow, and spark competitions where people race on kick-sleds just like in old Sweden.

Beautiful Gardens

Near downtown, 15 acres of restored prairie showcase what the land looked like when Swedish settlers first arrived. You’ll discover 50 types of native flowers and grasses along 1.2 miles of smooth limestone paths that wind through this special landscape.

Educational signs help you identify everything from tall bluestem grass to bright butterfly weed. This protected area does more than just look pretty, it provides a crucial home for monarch butterflies, native bees, and prairie birds that depend on these increasingly rare plants.

Historic Cemeteries

Three pioneer-era cemeteries share the stories of Lindstrom’s first Swedish families through 1,000 carefully preserved grave markers.

Walking paths covering 1.8 miles lead visitors through peaceful grounds where you can read inscriptions from as far back as 1855, written in both English and Swedish.

Notice the Swedish symbols carved into the stones such as Dala horses representing heritage, wheat sheaves showing farming roots, and Lutheran crosses reflecting deep faith. The oldest section holds the graves of 76 original settler families, their stories preserved through detailed records that help modern visitors trace their ancestry.

Fishing Spots

The connected lakes system offers 3,400 acres of year-round fishing adventures. Each lake has its own personality – try South Center Lake’s 45-foot depths for trophy walleye, or explore Little Lake’s shallow waters for bass hiding among the plants. Seven public fishing piers and twelve boat launches make it easy to fish from anywhere on the chain of lakes. Seasonal guides track the spawning patterns of 14 different game fish species, while detailed maps mark underwater structure and prime fishing spots. Whether you’re an experienced angler or just starting out, you’ll find the perfect place to cast your line.

Swedish Architecture

Throughout Lindstrom, 47 historic buildings showcase traditional Swedish architectural styles dating from 1855 to 1925. Their distinctive features include decorative crown moldings, vertical board-and-batten siding, and the classic falu red paint that reminds visitors of Swedish countryside homes. The town’s unique water tower rises 55 feet above Lake Boulevard, drawing photographers from across the country. Look closely at the buildings to spot original Swedish construction techniques in the exposed beam work, while doorways feature traditional heart and crown designs hand-carved by immigrant craftsmen.

Historic Churches

Six beautiful churches built between 1875 and 1914 stand as monuments to the faith of Lindstrom’s Swedish founders. These architectural treasures feature traditional Nordic designs, including steep 60-degree roofs and detailed woodwork carved by skilled immigrant craftsmen who brought their expertise from the old country. Step inside to admire original stained glass windows imported from Stockholm and altar pieces inscribed with Swedish Bible verses. The church cemeteries contain some of the area’s oldest Swedish inscriptions, with epitaphs that offer glimpses into pioneer life through carefully preserved burial records that tell the stories of Lindstrom’s earliest days.