The architecture of downtown Northfield is part of its charm.

Small-town charm, a scenic setting, and a dramatic story of civic courage all make Northfield a great spot for a getaway.  The historic downtown district, with architecture dating to the late 1800s, centers on Division Street, where storefronts from the past are now home to an interesting array of specialty shops, coffeehouses and restaurants.

Picturesque Bridge Square is at the heart of town, and a walkway follows the Cannon River through downtown.  At the edge of town are two prestigious colleges, Carleton, founded in 1866, and St. Olaf, founded in 1874.

Northfield claimed a page in American history when it became the last stop for the notorious James-Younger Gang in 1876.  The outlaws rode into town with plans to rob the bank, but the banker and his fellow citizens stood up to them, marking the downfall of this infamous band.

The Riverfront Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will be held Sept. 6-7, the same weekend as the Defeat of Jesse James Days.

The big weekend in town is Sept. 5-7, when the town commemorates this historic achievement with the Defeat of Jesse James Days, which draws thousands of visitors.  On Saturday and Sunday, there are several performances of a re-enactment of the attempted bank robbery, with the outlaws riding into town on horses, and the townsfolk responding with a call to arms, preventing the bank robbery, but leaving two citizens dead.

The weekend festival is packed with other activities, as well, including a rodeo, tractor pull, car show, vintage baseball, carnival, parade, and performances of a musical comedy, “Jesse Jane’s Jamboree.”  The Riverfront Fine Arts and Crafts Festival is held the same weekend; this juried art fair along the Cannon River downtown features about 75 artists.

Even if you miss the big weekend, you can delve into this chapter of history and the local arts on a visit to Northfield any time.  The history museum is right next to the bank building where the raid occurred; the First National Bank has been restored to its 1876 appearance and exhibits in the museum and bank tell the story of the bank raid.

Also downtown is the Northfield Arts Guild, with exhibits in its Center for the Arts gallery and a shop that features handmade pottery, jewelry, paintings and other work by local and regional artists.  The downtown streets offer fun browsing, with shops like the Cocoa Bean, Oolala, Present Perfect, the Secret Attic and several antique shops.  Division Street is also graced by a distinctive historic inn, The Archer House, built in 1877.

Two nearby stops add to the pleasure of a fall trip to Northfield.  Fireside Orchard, five miles west of town on Hwy. 19, sells Minnesota apple varieties and other goodies. And the wooded valley of Nerstrand State Park, south of town, is ablaze with color by early October.

For more info:
Northfield Area Visitors Bureau
800-658-2548
www.visitingnorthfield.com