This historic grain elevator (with the now-faded name of “Lanesboro Grain Co. Grain-Feeds-Seeds” on its side) has stood tall at the north end of Parkway Avenue for decades. (An earlier elevator here, built by Cargill, was one of that now-famous company’s early northward expansions out of Iowa). Today this elevator remains as a symbolic reminder that agriculture—the hard work of farmers and farm families—has played, and still plays, a major role around here. Lanesboro is a proud farm town.

In early Lanesboro local farmers harvested acres of wheat and brought it—first by horse-drawn wagons, later by trucks—to elevators like this. From here processed grain was poured into train cars for delivery to markets throughout the Midwest. A train track still sits near it.

Another landmark of Lanesboro agriculture is just down the road. Less than a mile from here you’ll find a collection of large grey buildings. Officially named the” Lanesboro Sales Commission,” but more commonly called “the Sales Barn,” it is a still very active livestock auction house. Prices set here in weekly auctions determine prices both locally and throughout southeastern Minnesota. That’s been true here since 1947. Under the full ownership of the Nelson family since 1994, the Sales Barn is Lanesboro’s oldest continuous business.

Each week livestock of all kinds—cows, horses, sheep, goats, and pigs—is bought and sold by farmers and livestock breeders from across the area. Visitors are welcome. Find a seat and get ready for a unique experience!

Lanesboro is many things. Art center. Bikers paradise. Fisherman’s dream. Tourist magnet. But from early days to the present, it’s always had a foundation of hard-working farmers. An old grain elevator and a lively auction barn help us remember, and be grateful for that, every day.

Lanesboro Sales Commission
By Anna Loney

Our town, as they near
the trucks. Do you hear?
With jake brakes, low geared,
they appear.
LANESBORO thrums
with weight by the tons
as livestock unload
year on year.
SALES are made
after animals weighed
and the auctioneer's gavel
has dropped.
COMMISSION’s then paid
to farmers so staid
These critters were raised on
their crops.
Then off through more chutes
go our bellowing brutes-
Load up, hit the trail
and away.
Piles of manure
remain to be sure;
Cows never fail
in this way.