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Visitors'
Center - Austin had less than 25,000 residents at last count
but, for its small size, it is certainly a 'going town'. The home of the
Hormel Foods Corporation (you've undoubtedly enjoyed some of their
products), Hormel has been a major benefactor to the community. And it
is all here for you to enjoy.
From I-90 exit 178 drive south on 4th Street to 12th Place NW
which will be on your left (NOT 12th Ave which is on your right). Turn
left and follow 12th Place as it circles around to 11th Avenue. Turn
left on 11th Avenue and the visitors center is almost a couple hundred
yards ahead on your left.
For more information phone 1-800-444-5713 or visit their web site
at AustinCVB.
Hormel Foods
Corporation - from a one-man butcher shop in 1887 to one of the
largest food production companies in the world? Yes, that is the Hormel
Foods Corporation. George Hormel started it all. As a true Minnesotan,
he worked hard and wisely but even he couldn't have foreseen the success
the company he founded would achieve.
"Like father like son." as the saying goes. J. C.
Hormel carried on the effort and the company and, in 1937, he has a true
brainstorm; why not package ham in a tin and 'SPAM' was born. And what a
success it was. That little 12-ounce can became famous world wide and
his company was hard pressed to keep up with demand. Today there is the
original SPAM, Oven-roasted turkey SPAM, Smoke-flavored SPAM, SPAM Lite...
Will it never end.
But the story doesn't end with the creation of another giant
company and a wealthy CEO. J.C.Hormel believed in giving back to his
community. He didn't achieve this alone but with the help of hundreds of
workers in the Austin area. Much of what you can enjoy in Austin is here
because of the generosity of the Hormel Foods Corporation.
Jay C Hormel
Nature Center - This 278 piece of well-preserved prairie features a
variety of prairie grasses, a hardwood forest and some well populated
wetlands. Almost 10 miles of nicely maintained trails provides a
hard-t0-beat platform for observing a full spectrum of wildlife. Also on
the property is the Interpretive Building. The building is open from
9a-5p (closed for lunch noon-1p) Monday through Saturday and noon to 5p
Sundays. The trails, however, are open 6a to 10p daily.
For more information, phone 1-507-437-7519.
From I-90 take exit 180-B and drive northbound on 21st Street
about 0.2 miles.
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Hormel Institute
- Originally utilizing a corner of the family stable, this research
institute has become one of the more prominent lipid research
laboratories. No longer in a stable, it now has its own building at 801
16th Avenue NE housing a knowledgeable staff of biochemistry,
biophysics, cellular, molecular biology and nutrition scientists.
For more information phone 1-507-433-8804.
SPAM Museum
- Newly opened in late 2001, the SPAM Museum traces the history of this
product that "...fed the troops (American and Allied) during World
War II and feeds the world, today."
Open from 1 May through Labor Day from 10a to 5p Monday through
Saturday; noon to 5p Sundays. The remainder of the year it is open from
10a to 5p Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4p Sundays.
From I-90 eastbound take exit 154 and drive south on MN-13 to
Sunset Street. Turn left and follow Sunset (which changes its name to
Lakeview Blvd to its end at Fountain Street. Turn left on Fountain,
drive 5 blocks east to Washington Avenue, turn right and go 2 blocks to
Clark Street. Turn left and the visitors' center is in mid block at 143
West Clark.
From I-90 exit 178 drive south on 4th Street to 12th Place NW
which will be on your left (NOT 12th Ave which is on your right). Turn
left and follow 12th Place as it circles around to 11th Avenue. Turn
left on 11th Avenue and follow it to Main Street. Turn right on Main and
the museum is a little more than a hundred yards ahead.
For more information phone 1-507-437-5100. We couldn't find a web
site specifically for the museum but here's one for the product: SPAM.
SPAMtmTOWN
Belle - How about a ride on a miniature stern paddlewheeler. Built
in Minnesota and donated to Austin by Bill and Betty Regner, of Austin,
this little 36 footer is powered by a 4-cylinder, 40 Hp Red Wing engine
(also built in Minnesota) and is available for rides during the summer
months (up to 1 Sept) Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5-8p. Tickets
$2; $1 for children under age 13.
For more information, phone the Austin Parks Dept at
1-507-433-1881 during normal business hours.
There's more!
Contact the Visitors'
Center
for a full menu with all the particulars.
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