From Lanesboro to Washington, D.C., one woman helped shape the future of rural education in America.

In this episode of Roots & Riddles, we trace the remarkable life of Katherine Cook, born in Lanesboro, Minnesota, who rose to become Chief of the Division of Rural Education for the U.S. Bureau of Education. At a time when rural schools were often overlooked, Katherine traveled the country—sometimes by small plane—studying school conditions, advocating for children in isolated communities, and pushing for better education for rural students, minority groups, and children with special needs.

Though her work influenced classrooms nationwide, her story is rarely told today. We explore how a woman from a small river town helped guide national education policy, why her contributions mattered, and how Lanesboro quietly left its mark on America’s schools.

This is a story of leadership, persistence, and a hometown legacy that reached far beyond southeastern Minnesota.

Why did one stretch of woods gain such a dark reputation?

In this episode of Roots & Riddles, we explore the infamous Jordan Woods—a place repeatedly named in historic newspaper crime reports across Fillmore County. Using original sources, we uncover what really happened, what may have been exaggerated, and how reputation alone can shape local history.

A story of headlines, human behavior, and a place that became larger than life.

What if Fillmore County once echoed with the footsteps of a saber-toothed tiger?

In this episode of Roots & Riddles, we journey back to the Ice Age to explore evidence of ancient predators that once roamed Fillmore County, Minnesota. From caves and fossils to climate shifts and extinction, we uncover how these animals lived—and what traces they left behind.

This is Minnesota history, long before history was written.

In this delightfully chaotic tale from 1878, Preston erupts into full crisis mode when a young boy wanders off and doesn’t return by nightfall. The church bell tolls, neighbors grab lanterns, and before long, half of Fillmore County is convinced the child has been kidnapped by a passing emigrant wagon. In true frontier fashion, a heavily armed posse charges off to “save the day”—only to discover the emigrants have thirteen children of their own and absolutely zero interest in adding another.

This episode celebrates the humorous side of small-town history—a reminder that even dramatic prairie legends sometimes end with a giggle instead of a gasp.

And a quick note: this is our final episode of 2025! Roots & Riddles will take a short holiday break and return with all-new stories in January.

Sources

The Preston Republican — Published April 25, 1878

Chatfield Democrat — Published May 4, 1878

In this episode of Roots & Riddles, Preston and Lenora revisit a startling chapter in Fillmore County’s past: the earthquake of 1877. Though Minnesota is far from the seismic hotspots of the nation, residents of Fillmore County felt the ground shift beneath them in a rare and unsettling event.

Drawing from historical accounts, they explore how the tremor rippled through southeastern Minnesota, leaving communities both shaken and fascinated. What did people believe was happening at the time? How did newspapers and local storytellers capture the moment? And what does this unusual quake reveal about the hidden geology beneath the Midwest?

Sources

History of Fillmore County, 1912

Fillmore County Journal, September 1, 2025

College of Sciences and English

Database.earth

The Great Ceneral US Shakeout

Chatfield Democrat, December 8, 1877

Preston Republican, November 22, 1877

In this episode of Roots & Riddles, Preston and Lenora trace the surprising local ties of Richard Sears — the man whose mail-order empire reshaped how Americans shopped. Long before catalogs and department stores, Sears was a boy in Fillmore County, surrounded by the rhythms of rural Minnesota life.

This episode blends local history with national legacy, showing how Fillmore County’s landscapes and communities shaped the imagination of a future retail pioneer. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious about the roots of everyday institutions, join Preston and Lenora as they uncover the Minnesota chapter of Richard Sears’ remarkable journey.

Sources

Western Progress, Aug 23, 1871

Harmony News, July 13, 1904

Preston Times, August 18, 1909

In this special Thanksgiving episode of Roots & Riddles, Preston and Lenora set aside the mysteries and dive into something just as meaningful: gratitude for the place they call home. Fillmore County isn’t just a backdrop for their stories — it’s a living archive of resilience, creativity, and community spirit.

Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or are just discovering its stories, this episode invites you to pause with Preston and Lenora, look around, and appreciate the deep roots and enduring riddles that make this corner of Minnesota so special.

In the spring of 1915, Preston was shaken by a near-tragedy that unfolded behind closed doors—and made its way into the pages of the Preston Times. This episode of Roots & Riddles unpacks the haunting story of Dr. Harrington, a respected dentist and entrepreneur whose return from illness took a dark and unexpected turn.

Was this a case of post-illness delirium, untreated trauma, or something more sinister? Lenora and Preston explore the fragile line between recovery and madness, the early 20th-century understanding of mental health, and the community’s response to a man unraveling in plain sight.

This isn’t just a tale of violence—it’s a window into the fears, sympathies, and silences of a small town grappling with the unthinkable.

Sources

The Preston Times

Wabasha County Herald

Caledonia Angus

Chatfield News-Democrat