Bear Lake Store in 1889

Through the years, McLeod County has seen many pioneer settlements flourish, to only later decline and fade away.  Twenty eight different villages and towns in all have shared this fate, each with their own unique story.  As our 2010 Theme, the McLeod County Historical Society and Museum hopes to explore the story of each of these settlements and bring it to you.              Through a compiled history booklet, rotating artifact displays, and interpretative programs, the Museum will learn more about each of these Lost McLeod County Towns and ensure, that although they may have been lost, they will never be forgotten!

The Following Lost Towns are highlighted in “The Lost Towns of McLeod County” history booklet, available through the Museum’s Gift Shop.

Acoma, Cedar City, Clear Lake, Thornton, Brush Prairie, Karn’s City, Collins, Franklin, Fremont, Paris, Glendale, Sundown, South Station, Harmony, Bear Lake, Komensky, Heatwole, West Lynn, Penn Cheese Factory, Bear Creek, South Silver Lake, St. George, Koniska, Fernando, Sumter, Lake Addie, Sherman Station, Rocky Run, and West Winsted.

Over the next year we will feature excerpts from our Lost Towns booklet in each of our monthly newsletters, covering highlights of most of the County’s lost towns.  The Museum welcomes any new or added information, artifacts, photos, or documents that could add to our current lost town collection.