Downtown Cannon Falls

Cannon Falls is a city of 4,100 people (2019) in Minnesota. Cannon Falls sits in the scenic Cannon Valley, at the junction of the Big and Little Cannon Rivers. It is the resting place of Colonel William J. Colvill, a hero of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Understand

Cannon Falls is the home of Pachyderm Studio, where many famous musicians have recorded, including Nirvana, which recorded its 1993 album In Utero there.

History

Cannon Falls village was laid out by Richard and William Freeborn and platted in 1855 by county surveyor S. A. Hart. The village was incorporated in 1857. A post office was established as Cannon River Falls in 1855, and the name shortened to Cannon Falls in 1889. Cannon Falls was reincorporated as a city in 1905.

An abundance of water power from the big Cannon River and the Little Cannon River attracted manufacturers and capital investment. The first flouring mill was built by R. C. Knox & Co., in 1957. Other manufacturers, such as a wool mill, a grist mill and a mill producing syrup from amber cane, used power generated from the Little Cannon River starting in 1861.

Get in

Cannon Falls, Minnesota is located on Highway 52 just 35 miles south of Saint Paul/Minneapolis and 40 miles north of Rochester.

Get around

Cannon Falls is 4 square miles and has public transportation on demand, through Hiawatha Transit Bus service. Due to its small size, however, it is a very walk-able and friendly community.

• Hiawatha Transit Bus Service, ☏ +1-866-623-7505, Convenient bus service available to everyone who lives in Cannon Falls. Call ahead for service.

See

• Cannon Falls Historical Museum, 206 West Mill Street, ☏ +1 507 263-4080. The Cannon Falls Historical Museum opened in 1979 in the historic old Fireman Hall. Many interesting displays in this museum depict the past of Cannon Falls. Walk through downtown and look for signs that tell of many, early twentieth century brick buildings that replaced the originals destroyed in a fire. 
• Amateur Baseball at Burch Park (Cannon Falls Bears), 7th Street W at MN Hwy-19 (Exit US-52 at MN-19, follow MN-19 east to 7th Street (left/north)). Stadium and ball field primarily for amateur baseball team "Cannon Falls Bears", concessions, beer, hot dogs, candy and more. Stadium also used for Cannon Falls High School (Bombers) home football games, concerts and other events. $1-2. 

Do

• Chamber of Commerce Office, 103 4th Street North, ☏ +1 507 263-2289. A self-guided historic walking tour booklet with map is available through the Chamber of Commerce office. 
• Cannon Falls Canoe & Bike Rental, 421 West Mill Street, ☏ +1 507 263-4657. Offering canoe and kayak rentals for the Cannon River and bike rentals for the Cannon Valley Trail 
• Cannon River Winery, 421 West Mill Street, ☏ +1 507 263-7400. Wine hand-crafted on site. Tours, tastings, events and wine-related gift items. 
• Cannon Valley Trail. The Cannon Valley Trail runs through a diverse and spectacular scenery on a former Chicago Great Western Railroad line. Connecting Cannon Falls, Welch and Red Wing, the trail is for hiking, biking and cross country skiing, with no motorized vehicles allowed. 
• Cannon River Falls, The Cannon River Falls are located right in downtown Cannon Falls. A nice walking trail and duck pond complete the dynamic vista.
• Frog Creek Pottery, 32336 40th ave (West 3 miles on Hwy 19 from DT Cannon Falls), ☏ +1 507 263-7410. 10AM-5PM, 7 days a week. Watch the potter make pots, purchase functional or decorative food safe pottery. Stroll the gardens, look for hidden pots. Or bring a lunch and spend a day in the country. 
• Gopher Hills Golf Course, 26155 Nicolai Ave, ☏ +1 507 263-2507. The area's most fun course! Rolling hills, friendly atmosphere with a fantastic clubhouse/restaurant. A great value! 

Buy

• Fourth & Main Fabrics, 103 4th Street S, ☏ +1 507 263-7000. Featuring fabrics, quilting supplies, yarn and more. 
• Country Side Antique Mall (Cannon Falls Antique Mall), 31752 65th Avenue (exit from US-Hwy 52 at County-24, go east to MN-20 and follow MN-20 South 2 blocks, mall is on east side of road), ☏ +1 507 263-0352. M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Su 11AM-5:30PM. 50 dealers in 14 different rooms each with its own decor. Wide variety ranging from rare pieces to interesting collector items 
• Ferndale Market, 31659 County 24 Boulevard (exit US Hwy-52 at County-24 (east) 1 block on north side of road), ☏ +1 507 263-4556. M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 11AM-4PM. A sustainability-oriented specialty store focusing on locally grown and produced foods. A third generation turkey farm. 

Eat

• Brewster's Bar & Grill, 115 South Fourth Street, ☏ +1 507 263-5020. Featuring hamburgers to steak and nightly specials. 
• Cannon Golf Club, 8606 195th Street, ☏ +1 507 263-3126. Featuring hamburgers, salads and wraps. At the golf course club house. 
• Country Kitchen, 31303 64th Avenue, ☏ +1 507 263-2307. Path Family restaurant featuring breakfast, lunch and all-you-can eat dinner specials. 
• Dudley's Pizza and Sandwich Shop, 320 West Mill Street, ☏ +1 507 263-4000. Featuring pizza, sandwiches, lasagna, soups, salads. Available as eat-in, take-out or delivery. 
• Mill Street Tavern, 401 Mill Street, ☏ +1 507 263-9429. Featuring lunch and dinner selections, hamburgers, appetizers and desserts. 
• The Old Market Deli, 331 Mill Street West, ☏ +1 507 263-8888. Abounding in old-world charm, the Old Market Deli specializes in made-to-order deli sandwiches, soups, salads and a wide variety of baked goods & pastries. They serve wine and beer and have a charming outdoor patio. 
• Sol de Mexico, 31518 64th Avenue, ☏ +1 507 263-0007. Featuring a full menu of authentic Mexican cuisine. 

Fast food

• McDonalds, 31675 65th Avenue, ☏ +1 507 263-2754. 
• Subway, 31515 County 24 Blvd, ☏ +1 507 263-0848. 

Drink

• Burly Coffee, 1108 North 5th Street, ☏ +1 507 263-0905. Featuring fresh brewed coffee from beans roasted on site. 

Sleep

• Best Western Saratoga Inn, 31591 64th Avenue, ☏ +1 507 263-7272. Forty unit hotel with indoor pool. 
• Caravan Motel, 31913 64th Avenue, ☏ +1 507 263-4777 16. Room motel. 
• Quill and Quilt Bed and Breakfast, 615 Hoffman St W (exit US-52 at MN-19, follow MN-19 east to 7th St (left/north) to Hoffman St (right/east) to 615 Hoffman St. W.), ☏ +1 507 721-1622. Check-in: 5-7PM, check-out: 11AM. 5-room Bed & Breakfast 1 block from downtown and on the Cannon Valley Trail. All rooms have modern and private attached bathrooms, whirlpools, fireplaces, Cable/DVD, Wi-Fi, A/C $99-199. 
• Vasa Guest Cottage, 15750 315th Street, Welch (exit US-52 at MN-19-9 miles, right/south on Cty. Rd. 7 in Vasa - 1 mile, left on 315th Street. Cottage is first house/farm on right)), ☏ +1 651-258-4451. Vasa Cottage is a charming four-bedroom furnished vacation rental, available for rent by the weekend (two nights) for $300. You’ll have access to the entire home. Can accommodate eight adults. Perfect for family reunions and crafters. 

Go next

Routes through Cannon Falls

Saint Paul ← Rosemount ←	N  S	→ Zumbrota → Rochester
Redwood Falls ← Northfield ←	W  E	→ Vasa → Red Wing