Nestled in the bluffs of southeastern Minnesota, just off National Scenic Byway 16, you will find the friendly, small community of Peterson. The Root River State Hiking & Biking Trail passes through the city, and a quiet, family-oriented campground is located adjacent to the trail. Please look around this site. We hope you find what you are looking for. Feel free to contact us if you need more information on anything you see here.

Peterson, nestled in the narrow Root River Valley, was founded in 1867, when the railroad was built on land donated for this use by Peter Peterson Haslerud, who settled in 1853. He owned and platted the village site and was a major force behind early growth and development of Peterson.

A post office was started in 1870 and a dam was built across the river in 1871 where a flour mill ran until it burned down in 1877. A feed mill was then built and ran for some time. In 1874, lots were laid out and one of the first trout hatcheries in Minnesota was begun in Peterson. In 1876, the telegraph was brought in and in 1877 the present depot (now the Peterson Station Museum) was erected. In 1909 Peterson was incorporated.