Boomer Destinations: Enjoy a Taste of Sweden in Lindsborg, Kansas

 By Tim Trudell

Valkommen til Lindsborg. Known as Little Sweden USA, it’s easy to mistake Lindsborg for a Swedish village rather than a small town on the Kansas prairie.

Home to impressive art galleries, Swedish decor, Spanish history and great food, Lindsborg is a fun Boomer Destination.

Colorfully decorated dala horses are located throughout town. The wooden horse figures are a Swedish symbol and part of the country’s folklore. The Wild Herd of Dala Horses celebrate Lindsborg’s history and contemporary community. Maps of the dalas’ locations can be obtained at the visitors center.

Shopping

Boutique shops and gift stores cater to a variety of options, from souvenirs at Anderson’s Butik Scandinavian to women’s clothing and accessories at Sister Bojangles.

Hemslojd is the store for all-things Scandinavian. From miniature dalas to holiday ornaments – and everything In-between – the store is perfect for gift shopping. The store even creates
hand-carved and hand-painted dalas for displaying with family names. Pose for photos with the giant dala outside the store.

History

A significant piece of Lindsborg’s history includes Spanish conquistador Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, who visited the area in search of the Seven Cities of Gold between 1540 and 1542. The explorer gave up and headed south. His travels resulted in the European views of the
Grand Canyon.

A castle was built atop Coronado Heights, about three miles northwest of town to commemorate the Spaniard’s trek. Constructed from native Dakota sandstone, the castle offers majestic views of the Smoky Hills region and prairie. Consider enjoying a picnic inside the castle or at one of the surrounding stone pits.

A walk along Valkommen Trail, a converted rail line, highlights local history. Walking along the 2.5-mile-long trail, markers highlight historical events or locations of buildings, such as the evangelical covenant church. Built in 1898, the Smoky Valley Roller Mill replaced a former
mill that had been destroyed by fire. The Old Mill is part of the Old Mill Museum complex, which includes Heritage Square, a living history area with older buildings such as a schoolhouse and church.

Historical architecture dominates downtown. City Hall is located in a former bank, built in the late 1800s. Buildings are painted similarly to structures around Sweden.

Art

In a town of about 3,500 people, it seems like it would be rare to find two art museums, but Lindsborg is home to two unique attractions.

Located on the campus of Bethany College, the Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery tells the story of the artist and former professor. The Swedish-born Sandzen planned a short visit to the United States, working as an art teacher. He offered to teach art at Bethany College, but the
position was already filled. However, he took a job as a language instructor. He traveled during off-months, touring America and developing his painting style.

Sandzen eventually led the art department. His painting style changed over the years, going from thick brush strokes to a more detailed style as he primarily created landscapes. Compared with artists like Van Gogh, Sandzen’s art has appeared in major galleries around the United
States. Bethany College is home to his collection and displays several of his pieces in the gallery. The museum rotates his work to keep exhibits fresh.

His art studio remains intact and is open for visits, with some of his works displayed there, as well as his desk and tools.

Lester Raymer created all sorts of art inside his Red Barn Studio. The local artist used part of the building as a home. He was a jack-of-all-trades in creating art – painting, sculpting, woodcarving, printmaking and more. Raymer handcrafted toys for his wife as gifts, from
puppets to  Noah’s Ark.

In 1991, as he finished a painting of a rooster and signed his work, the 84-year-old stood up and took a few steps before suffering a fatal heart attack. The Red Barn Studio memorializes Raymer’s work.

It’s a Small World gallery features handmade jewelry and art, as well as breathtaking photographs by National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson. Richardson, along with his wife Kathy, own the popular gallery. The Richsrdsons moved to Lindsborg when their children were young, because they fell in love with the feel of the community and wanted a place
where their kids could ride their bicycles to school.

Nearby Attractions

Kansas history includes attempts to rid the Plains of bison. It’s easy to find historical photos of giant piles of bison hide.

Today, the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, about a 25-minute drive from Lindsborg, is home to about 200 bison and 60 elk. Guided tours take visitors through areas where bison often roam. Bison come within a few feet of the tram, but don’t attempt to pet them, as they are wild animals.

If two-wheeled animals are an appeal, then head to the Kansas Motorcycle Museum in Marquette, about a 10-minute drive from Little Sweden USA. The 20-year-old museum features more than 100 vintage motorcycles, memorabilia and artifacts.

About 10 minutes from Marquette, Mushroom State Park is the smallest state park in Kansas, about five acres. Rock formations resembling mushrooms provide photo opportunities.

Located outside Marquette, Kannapolis Lake State Park is perfect for boating, water skiing, fishing and swimming. Primitive walking trails take hikers along rock formations once a part of a prehistoric sea. Oven Cave was used by Indigenous Peoples to dry bison meat following hunts
that led the animals to run off nearby cliffs.

Dining

Lindsborg’s culinary scene has been enhanced by Bella Sol Bistro. Located on Main Street, the Bistro features an eclectic menu, ranging from chopped salad, fish and chips to Korean style street tacos. Traditional restaurant fare is offered, including burgers, steak and pasta.

Crown and Rye’s menu includes entrees such as Swedish meatballs, mushroom ravioli and grilled salmon. Steaks, burgers and salads are also menu staples.

Ol Stuga may be a bar and grill, but if it was good enough for Mikhail Gorbachev…The late Russian President visited Bethany College and enjoyed dinner and a drink at the Swedish tavern.

While Gorbachev may have been the most-famous visitor, the tavern’s “Brent Nelson” sandwich was featured on “Good Morning America.” As part of the show’s search for the best
sandwich in the country, GMA sampled the sandwich consisting of a split polish sausage served on a hoagie bun with barbecue sauce, onions and topped with cheddar and hot pepper cheese.

Coffee

It’s not often that a town the size of Lindsborg has a great coffee shop, yet alone two. But, that’s the story here. The north end of Main Street is home to Blacksmith Coffee Shop and Roastery, attracting tourists and locals. The White Peacock Tea and Coffee Company, located at the
south end of Main Street, attracts artists among its clientele. Both offer excellent java and treats.

Accommodations

From bed and breakfast inns to hotels, the Lindsborg area has plenty of places to stay.

Drom Sott Inn – Sweet Dreams in Swedish – is a downtown boutique hotel. With modern conveniences such as cable television and WiFi, the hotel’s beds are comfortable. In the morning, enjoy a Swedish-themed breakfast featuring Swedish meatballs, Swedish pancakes, lingonberry jam and pickled herring, among American fare such as boiled eggs, fruit, yogurt and toast.

It’s easy to fall in love with Lindsborg. With so much to offer for a small town, Lindsborg embraces its history as a Swedish community.