Situated in the south western corner of Minnesota where the Prairie meets the Plains, Pipestone was first settled in 1873, which was quite late due to the fact that this was 'Indian Territory'. Consequently, today it is a link to Native American history.

Native People trekked for many miles to visit the quarries where they would dig for the Sacred red stone. Once this work had been done they would journey back to their own lands and fashion the Pipes with which they made their prayers to the Great Spirit.

In Pipestone there is always something interesting to do or see, from the famous 'Song of Hiawatha' Pageant and the Original Dakota Tiospaye's 'Spirit of Peace' Powwow in the summer, to the 'Festival of Trees' in the winter.

Come with me now for a visit and see for yourself the patchwork of happenings we have to offer.

As you walk past the distinctive buildings in the Historic district of town, look up and notice the unusual facades and the unique 'red rock' which many of the buildings are made from.

Below is the 'Pipestone County Museum'. This building was constructed in 1896 from Sioux quartzite, the hard red stone which lays above the Pipestone used by Native Americans. The building was originally City Hall which included the fire department. It became the Museum in 1966 when it was deeded to the Pipestone County Historical Society.

The Native Americans have a legend about the 'White Buffalo Calf Woman' who gave them a Sacred Ceremonial Pipe made from the red Pipestone quarried here. Dakota people still care for the quarries and you can watch them, during the summer months, carving Pipes and other articles using traditional methods, when you visit the 'National Monument', located north west of town.

Let's go back into town and look around the historic area. Here you will find one of the newest entertainment attractions, 'The Pipestone Center for Performing Arts'. Various performances are shown here all year round and the Center is the home of several local groups. Not far from here is a restored landmark. The concrete 'Water Tower' which can be seen from all over the town. There are only two like this existing today, the other is in Brainerd, Minnesota.

Whatever your pleasure, you will be able to find it in Pipestone. Fine Dining, Antiques and collectables, Snowmobiling, Theatre, Golf, History, Native American Culture, Shopping or just browsing, it's all here. Come see for yourself and make memories of your own.

If you continue north past the Monument Road towards the Vo-tech and Good Samaritan Village you will see on your right the 'Spirit of Peace Powwow grounds' and the Powwow arbor which was built in 2000, for the first Annual Pipestone Dakota Wacipi in August that year.

The powwow was very popular and will be repeated each year on the last weekend of July . Everyone is welcome.

Of course the place which we like the best is the 'Little Feather Interpretive Center & Museum' our place.

Here we offer a friendly smile, answers to your questions, locally made crafts, (via Spirit of Peace Crafts ,) coffee and a place to learn more about the local Native Americans and the art of quarrying and pipe-making. We now have exhibits on display in the new Native American Museum and a library which was installed in 2000. If we are not busy you may even get to listen to a story or two, which show the intricacies of Native American cultural values.

This article was written by Gloria Hazell for the Pipestone Chamber of Commerce newsletter in 1996. It has since been used on the Little Feather Center site, and won a prize for the best home town webpage from Geocities in 1998.