Minnesota
Cows, Colleges, and Contentment
★ NomineeNominee status indicates a town under consideration for certification. Certified towns have completed our full evaluation process and meet all criteria.
Photo: Thomas Duesing / Flickr
Northfield is best known for two things: foiling the Jesse James gang's attempted bank robbery in 1876, and being home to two of America's finest liberal arts colleges. The town's unofficial motto—"Cows, Colleges, and Contentment"—captures its unique blend of agricultural heritage, academic prestige, and small-town satisfaction.
The Cannon River runs through the heart of downtown, where beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings house independent bookstores, craft breweries, and farm-to-table restaurants. The original First National Bank, where citizens famously fought back against the James-Younger gang, is now a museum. Every September, the town reenacts the famous raid during Defeat of Jesse James Days.
Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges give Northfield an intellectual and cultural richness rare in towns this size. The St. Olaf Christmas Festival is broadcast nationally, and both campuses welcome visitors to their arboretums, art galleries, and performances. The surrounding countryside offers cycling on quiet farm roads and paddling on the Cannon River.
Site of the famous 1876 bank raid where citizens fought back against the outlaw gang
Home to Carleton and St. Olaf, bringing culture and energy to downtown
Scenic river running through downtown with kayaking, tubing, and riverside trails
Historic downtown with independent shops, breweries, and farm-to-table dining
Northfield is just 45 minutes south of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Visit in September for Defeat of Jesse James Days, or in December for the nationally broadcast St. Olaf Christmas Festival. The Mill Towns State Trail connects Northfield to Faribault and Dundas for excellent biking. Don't miss Goodbye Blue Monday for coffee and books, or Tanzenwald Brewing for local craft beer.