Minnesota Prairie Roots

Popular Franke’s Bakery anchors a corner in downtown Montgomery, Minnesota.

SMALL TOWN MINNESOTA. What is it about our rural communities that holds my heart? Surely, my upbringing on a crop and dairy farm in the southwestern region of our state influences how I feel about rural places.

Farms and fields surround Montgomery.

But it’s more than that. I see in these communities, like Montgomery in Le Sueur County, a distinct character, a connection of people, an appreciation for the quieter life afforded to those who live in this ag-based area.

Art in downtown business windows showcases the town’s annual Kolacky Days celebration.

Fresh-baked kolacky are always available at Franke’s Bakery.

One of my favorite signs in Montgomery banners the 106-year-old bakery.

I’ve written about and photographed Montgomery many times. Each visit I notice the details that define this self-proclaimed Kolacky Capital of the World with its strong Czech heritage. Kolacky are a fruit-filled (sometimes poppyseed, too) Czech pastry, available at the century-plus-old Franke’s Bakery and elsewhere.

A quilt adorns an historic downtown building.

When I walk along First Street, the main street through the downtown business district, I always notice the historic buildings.

And the home-grown businesses, including multiple meat markets.

The Monty Bar is missing its corner signage, which I loved.

And, like many small towns, multiple bars. Montgomery also has a craft brewery, Montgomery Brewing.

Signs plaster the front of the Monty Bar, including this one.

But I also notice the signage that is distinctly Montgomery. Like the best place to buy Jell-O shots (the Monty Bar).

An historic building houses the Happy Hour Bar & Grill.

The Happy Hour lunch special on the day of my visit.

Or the lunch-time Sloppy Joe special at the Happy Hour Bar & Grill.

Signage marks the Rustic Farmer.

The inviting dining space in front of the Rustic Farmer along Montgomery’s main street.

It is this type of signage that reveals much about a town and its people. When I spot the event space, Rustic Farmer on Main, and later sit there at a patio table to enjoy a custard-filled sweet treat from Franke’s, I think on that name. Rustic Farmer. It fits this rural community.

Hilltop Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The same goes for Hilltop Hall, an historic building perched atop a hill on the north end of downtown. It’s home to Posy Floral & Gifts and the Montgomery Arts & Heritage Center.

I photographed this puzzle at Herrmann Drug, where it’s available for purchase.

That center houses a small gift shop and heritage displays, including Kolacky Days celebration buttons. Photographer Sarah Dolejs designed a 513-piece jigsaw puzzle featuring a photo of a button collection. The puzzle is available in local businesses and online. Recently, organizers of this year’s virtual Kolacky Days held a “Jigsaw Puzzle Competition from Your Kitchen Table” to see who could assemble the puzzle the fastest. The winning time was 67 minutes by Team Sherman. They beat out Anything but Prune (a reference to prune kolacky) by a mere minute. The Poppyseed Posse (another reference to kolacky) and the Laughing Polka Ladies didn’t even come close to winning.

The town’s water tower is located near the Montgomery National Golf Club.

I love those creative names. They reveal a sense of humor, a sense of pride, a sense of appreciation for heritage and all that defines this town. This Montgomery, Minnesota.

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A section of downtown Montgomery, including the popular eatery, Pizzeria 201, on the left. It’s located in the historic Westermann Lumber Office & House.

Please check back as I continue my series of posts from Montgomery. Upcoming posts will feature the community’s redone mural and a downtown coffee shop.

© Copyright 2020 Audrey Kletscher Helbling