People

From their roots in Zumbrota – through sports, business, the arts, government and military service – prominent figures have emerged. Some are featured below.

Considered a form of art by many, and a technical innovation when they were first built, covered bridges, like the Zumbrota Covered Bridge, represent the ideals, skills, and heritage of those New Englanders who were erly pioneers in the settlement of the west. The Historic American Building Survey of 1934 took note of the Zumbrota Covered Bridge in records on file at the Library of Congress. A citation from Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes stated that “...the bridge is of exceptional historical and architectural interest and worth of the most careful preservation for the future.”

In 1996, AIA Minnesota – A Society of the AMerican Institute of Architects included the Zumbrota Covered Bridge in its publication, entitled, “100 places plus 1” – An unofficial architectural survey of favorite Minnesota sites.

The Zumbrota Covered Bridge is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

 

2016

A visitor center/trail head will be built the summer of 2016 near the covered bridge. The structure would be the southern entrance-point for bikers and hikers onto the Goodhue Pioneer State Trail. When completed, the Goodhue Pioneer State Trail will connect Pine Island to Red Wing. At Pine Island, the trail would join with the Douglas Trail to Rochester. At Red Wing, the trail would join the Cannon Trail to Cannon Falls.

Currently, the Goodhue Pioneer State Trail is paved and complete from Zumbrota and north about four miles, and from Hay Creek to Red Wing.