Minnesota’s 856 incorporated towns are about to get the spotlight they deserve, thanks to traveler, writer, and historian Seth Varner. Through his Wandermore in Minnesota project, Seth is embarking on a year-long journey to document the history, charm, and unique character of every single city in the state. With a passion for small-town stories and a love of the road, Seth is on a mission to preserve and promote the heart of Minnesota’s communities—big and small.
At Bollig Engineering, we know firsthand the importance of small towns. As our purpose states, “We are neighbors serving neighbors, working to strengthen, preserve, and transform the future and quality of life of communities.” Our work helps communities across Minnesota build sustainable infrastructure, protect their water resources, and plan for the future. That’s why we’re proud to support Seth and his mission. Like Seth, we believe that small towns matter and deserve to be celebrated.
Bringing Minnesota’s Communities to Life
Seth’s journey is more than just a road trip. Through his Facebook page, website, and upcoming book, he captures the essence of Minnesota’s cities—one visit at a time. His project showcases the local businesses, historic sites, architecture, parks, and everyday life that make each city unique. By sharing his discoveries through stories and photography, he invites residents and visitors alike to appreciate Minnesota’s communities’ rich history and evolving landscape.
Seth told us about his inspiration for taking on Minnesota as his next state:
“I’ve been through Minnesota a few times over the years to check out the Mall of America and attend Minnesota Vikings games. On the way to and from the Twin Cities, I stopped at some touristy sites in Jordan (Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store), St. Peter (St. Peter’s Pearly Gates), and New Ulm (the Hermann Monument), to name a few. I knew I would have a similar experience in Minnesota as in other states—finding that every community, no matter how big or small, has something unique to see and do and history to be told. After completing North Dakota last year, I figured that Minnesota would be fairly similar in terms of its people, geography, and communities (just on a much larger scale since Minnesota has 501 more incorporated towns than North Dakota does) and that it would be a great state to cover for one of my books!”
Where is Seth Now?
At the time of this writing, Seth is currently in the midst of his second stage of the Wandermore in Minnesota journey, where he is visiting 89 towns across several counties, including Jackson, Swift, Kandiyohi, Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Renville, Brown, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine, Martin, and Chippewa. His route is carefully planned to ensure he captures the essence of each town, documenting historical landmarks, local businesses, churches, schools, and other unique attractions. Here is the list of Minnesota incorporated towns and where Seth has been so far!
Throughout his journey across Minnesota, Seth invites locals to share their recommendations for must-see locations, great places to eat, and any unique experiences that make their towns stand out. He also welcomes opportunities to meet with residents, business owners, and town officials to gain deeper insight into what makes each community special. If you want to help shape his visit, you can message him through the Wandermore in Minnesota Facebook page.
The Impact of Wandermore
Wandermore in Minnesota is more than just a documentation project—it’s a celebration of small-town tourism and community pride. By highlighting the charm and history of Minnesota’s 856 incorporated towns, Seth is helping to reconnect former residents with their roots while also inspiring new visitors to explore places they may have never considered. His work showcases how small-town tourism can breathe new life into communities and spark interest in the stories, landmarks, and businesses that make each town unique.
Seth enjoys seeing the reactions from people who discover his posts:
“It’s been fun to see folks react on Facebook to seeing their communities put in the spotlight. I like to say that my posts are ‘nostalgia bombs’ for those who have moved away. There’s a lot of people out there who haven’t been back to their hometowns in 10, 20, 30 years, and to see pictures of the places they attended school or went to church, or to see their parent’s old businesses or the parks they played at can really bring back a lot of good memories. Thousands of people over the years have reached out about how cool it’s been to see the small towns of their home state featured, and I think a lot of that has to do with community pride.”
Why This Matters
As engineers dedicated to serving small towns, we at Bollig Engineering recognize the vital role these communities play in Minnesota’s identity. They are the backbone of the state’s culture, economy, and history. Like Seth, we believe that supporting small towns means more than just keeping them running—it means preserving their stories, celebrating their successes, and ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive.
Seth explains why documenting small-town history is so important:
“Nothing lasts forever. Schools, churches, and businesses close, buildings are torn down, parks get replaced by parking lots—towns are dynamic entities and are always changing. Every single town has copious amounts of history regarding its people and places, and stories of how it came to be or how it began to decline or progress. There’s a story behind every little old filling station or abandoned school, and 20, 50, 100 years down the road, people are going to want to see what certain places looked like in 2025 when they were kids (or where their parents, grandparents, ancestors lived)! Wandermore will hopefully serve as a great genealogical and historical resource for Midwesterners long after I’m gone.”
How You Can Support Wandermore in Minnesota
Seth’s journey is powered by the enthusiasm and generosity of people who care about small-town history and tourism. Here’s how you can be part of it:
- Follow, Share, and Comment on Social Media: Like and follow Wandermore in Minnesota on Facebook to stay updated on Seth’s travels and discoveries. Seth explains how the best way to help is by engaging with his content, “Sharing, liking, and commenting on my Facebook posts and spreading the word about my project is huge. The more folks that know about it, the more history I’ll be able to compile, and the more suggestions I’ll get for neat points of interest to check out or people to meet.”
- Donate to Keep Wandermore Going: Seth foots his own travel expenses out of his love for travel, writing, photography, and history so he has a way for people to make donations to offset some costs, “If folks enjoy my work, I encourage them to consider making a contribution to the Wandermore Travel Fund at wandermorepublishing.com/donate. For every $5 contributed, I allow the donor to include one name of their choosing—whether it be their own, a friend’s or family’s name, ‘in memory of,’ a business name, or even a pet—included in the acknowledgments section of every copy of the ‘Wandermore in Minnesota’ book for life. The funds I receive are exclusively used to cover the costs of gas, hotels, entry fees, etc., which means it all goes right back into the towns and businesses that I visit!”
- Buy the Book: Seth’s upcoming book, “Wandermore in Minnesota,” will be a comprehensive guide on Minnesota’s 856 incorporated communities. It will serve as a “history book, travel guide, and living photo album” all in one. People can sign up at wandermorepublishing.com/minnesota to get an email reminder once it’s published in November 2025.
Exploring Minnesota’s Small Towns
Minnesota is filled with unique small towns, each with its own hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re a history buff, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply love the charm of rural Minnesota communities, there’s always something new to explore. From historic landmarks to local eateries and scenic backroads, Seth encourages travelers to embrace the adventure of discovering Minnesota beyond its well-known destinations.
For those who want to explore Minnesota’s hidden gems for themselves, Seth offers some advice:
“Have an open mind! Be adventurous and don’t be afraid to ask locals about the history. Pop into the local bar and enjoy a drink and hear the craziest town tales. Wander through the overgrown cemetery and check out the old gravestones. Ask to see the interior of a local church and admire its architecture and the time and effort that early settlers put into building it. The possibilities are truly endless!”
Discovering the Best of Minnesota
Minnesota’s small towns are full of history, character, and untold stories. Thanks to Seth Varner and Wandermore in Minnesota, these communities and stories are getting documented for people to enjoy for generations to come. At Bollig Engineering, we’re excited to follow his travels and honored to support the promotion of small town tourism and historical documentation of our Midwest communities! We encourage you to follow along and celebrate the incredible small cities of Minnesota.
English 
Spanish