Springfield, MN

Springfield grew from a settlement reached in 1869 and a town platted in 1877 as Burns along the Chicago and North Western Railway. The name changed, but the working geography stayed: U.S. 14, the Cottonwood River, and farm country around Brown County. Springfield was also home to Minnesota’s only brick plant until it closed in 2016, a reminder of the industrial side of the town’s story. The wider area connects to Jeffers Petroglyphs State Park as well. The quick local read is rail town, brick plant, river, and a southwest Minnesota place with deep agricultural surroundings.