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, 127 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 and Bike Rental, 615 5th St N, ☏ +1 507-407-4111. 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.
• 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

• Country Side Antique Mall (Cannon Falls Antique Mall), 1161 4th St S, ☏ +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 Willow Trail (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. 
• 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. 

Sleep

• Caravan Motel, 31913 64th Avenue, ☏ +1 507-263-4777. Room motel. 

Go next

Routes through Cannon Falls

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