Lindsborg Named Kansas' Most Charming Small Town by HGTV
LINDSBORG, Kan. — Home improvement network HGTV has named Lindsborg as Kansas' most charming small town, recognizing the community known as "Little Sweden U.S.A." for its unique cultural heritage and downtown attractions.
The television network included Lindsborg in its annual ranking of America's 50 most appealing communities, selecting one town from each state based on criteria including restaurants, shopping, historic significance, family attractions and natural beauty.
HGTV highlighted Lindsborg's downtown fine art galleries and unique shops, encouraging visitors to stay for a weekend to search for colorful dala horses, Swedish folk-art figures scattered throughout the community.
The town of approximately 3,800 residents sits in McPherson County along Interstate 135, about 30 minutes from Salina. Founded in 1869 by Swedish immigrants, about 30% of current residents claim Swedish descent.
The community's name translates to "Linden Castle" and honors four men with "Lind" surnames who held prominent positions in the Chicago-based First Swedish Agricultural Company that helped settle the area.
Lindsborg's Swedish heritage remains prominent throughout the downtown district, where shops specialize in Scandinavian souvenirs and traditional dala horses in various sizes. The community has maintained its cultural identity through architecture, festivals and cuisine that reflect its European roots.
Major attractions include the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum, housed in an 1898 operational mill, and the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, which features the world's largest collection of works by the Swedish-American artist who lived in Lindsborg from 1871 to 1954.
The town is home to the Swedish Pavilion, originally constructed for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. After the exposition, the building was relocated to Lindsborg and now serves as a cultural center in Heritage Square.
Lindsborg hosts the biennial Svensk Hyllningsfest in October of odd-numbered years, a celebration that has honored the community's Swedish heritage since 1941. The town also holds a Midsummer Festival in June featuring traditional Swedish music, dancing and food.
Visitors can hunt for members of the "Wild Dala Horse Herd," colorful folk-art sculptures placed both indoors and outdoors throughout the community. The downtown area features Swedish flags, red-and-blue decorative elements and old-world architecture that gives the town its distinctive Nordic appearance.
The HGTV recognition places Lindsborg alongside other notable small-town destinations on the national list. Tourism officials expect the designation to increase visitor interest in the community's Swedish cultural offerings and outdoor recreational opportunities.
Lindsborg's location along the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway makes it accessible to travelers exploring north-central Kansas. The town offers several lodging options, including the Dröm Sött Inn, which provides traditional Swedish breakfasts and maintains the community's Nordic theme.
HGTV's annual small town rankings aim to spotlight communities that offer cultural depth and unique experiences while maintaining the appeal of rural American destinations.