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Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions—Hometown Version: Giant Mouse and Buffalo in Center City

By
Real Estate Agent with Boardman Realty Minnesota License#90858

eichtensSeveral years ago, I was headed down the stretch of the two-lane Highway 8 from Forest Lake through Chisago, Lindstrom and Center City when this huge rodent and a herd of Buffalo took my eyes from road. As a Minnesota Realtor, I had been driving to list my very first house in Chisago County and was I was distracted by a giant mouse with a cheese wheel, an array of colorful flags and a herd of buffalo! Buffalo in Minnesota? It was quite a distraction!

The turn for Shafer was just ahead, but the unique display at this huge farm with the giant roadside art was worth a second look. I hadn't been aware of this family owned bison farm and cheese store but made a mental note to bring back my family to see the Minnesota bison herd.

Center City is on the map for being home to the world renown Hazelden Treatment facility. But for most Minnesotans, Eichen's has much more appeal.

During the period I had my Shafer home for sale, I passed by the Eichtens Hidden Acres farm and cheese shop on more than one occasion. It is more than just a bison and cheese store and restaurant, Eichten's is an icon in the areabison. Family owned and operated, their café serves bison burgers, Dutch Gouda cheese and ice cream for the less adventurous.

If the second largest herd of real bison in the state of Minnesota aren't visible from the road, their other family friendly giant buffalo certainly will be! (Where do 300+ giant bison hide anyway?!)

Other Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distractions:

Don't be distracted when making important real estate decisions! If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm  http://www.terieckholm.com/

Posted by

Teri Eckholm. REALTOR with Boardman Realty, is a native Minnesotan who has lived and worked in the Minneapolis St Paul metro all of her life. She specializes in lakeshore homes, acreage properties and first time home buyers but assists anyone making a move in the north and east Twin Cities metro.

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give Teri , a call or visit her website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report She specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2019 terieckholm.com

 

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Comments(20)

Rosario Lewis
DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY
GRI, SRES - DDR Realty - Orange County, NY
Bison burgers are delicious, and who could resist a giant mouse. I'd stop by if I was in the area.
Feb 24, 2008 03:19 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK
I love the unique things in communities that are NOT tourist attractions, but yet are. Sounds like a great place to go for an afternoon.
Feb 24, 2008 09:12 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Teri, These artful distractions are absolutely WONDERFUL!  I believe we have one or two but nothing like you have, I absolutely love seeing and hearing about them :)
Feb 24, 2008 10:28 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!
You distracted me too!  I had to read the whole thing...I couldn't figure why you had such nice weather.  Great post.
Feb 24, 2008 10:47 AM
Kristina Leone
Lionheart Home Staging, LLC - Minneapolis, MN
Teri, you capture the most unusual MN treasures!  It is a good thing you have your camera ready to shoot, otherwise no one would believe some of the things you see!
Feb 24, 2008 01:07 PM
Lindsey Hasford
Edina Realty - Elk River, MN
Bringing you home...
Teri - I totally did not know that they were there! I would've stopped just to take a picture. Maybe I'll have to field trip over there this summer just to take a look see.
Feb 24, 2008 01:32 PM
Thesa Chambers
West + Main - Bend, OR
Principal Broker - Licensed in Oregon
I love how you tie your distraction into a grat tag line for Real Estate
Feb 24, 2008 02:57 PM
Lynn Johnson
Coldwell Banker Home Connection - Owatonna, MN
Owatonna, MN Real Estate
Teri - I've driven by Eichten's several times on the way back from "up north".  It's interesting to think about all the quirky landmarks that we run across that provide such great local flavor.  Thanks for capturing one of our uniquely Minnesota businesses.
Feb 24, 2008 03:30 PM
Yolanda Hoversten
Self Employed - O'Fallon, IL
Referrals for O’Fallon, IL & the Metro East
Hi, Teri!  That's definitely a must see tourist stop--very colorful and amusing.  I can tell that the locals have great sense of humor.  Thanks for sharing!  :)
Feb 24, 2008 03:55 PM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Rosario--I've never tried a bison burger but I have heard they are wonderful. Next time I drive by the mouse, I may have to stop!
Feb 25, 2008 05:11 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Judi--The mouse is pretty cute but the real story is the farm.
Feb 25, 2008 05:12 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Carole--I know there are more out there so keep an eye out for new posts!
Feb 25, 2008 05:13 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Gary--We have had less snow than you have but not that much less. I took this picture last March. I have to spread out the Artful Distraction posts to make them more fun!
Feb 25, 2008 05:16 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Kristina--Most times I am returning with my camera to get the best photographs.
Feb 25, 2008 05:17 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Thesa--That was added with the last two posts...clever aren't I? :)
Feb 25, 2008 05:18 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Lindsey--Pretty cool aren't they? You can't miss them on the side of the road!
Feb 25, 2008 05:24 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Lynn--There are some pretty unique landmarks in MN. Makes going for a Sunday drive in the country more exciting.
Feb 25, 2008 05:26 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Yolanda--How have you been? Thanks for stopping by to comment. You are correct, we have some creative and fun people in MN.
Feb 25, 2008 05:28 AM
The Bartley Group SouthEast MN Real Estate
Coldwell Banker Home Connection - Owatonna, MN
Teri, we haven't seen these particular sites but these are the kind of things that make america great.  If you ever watch the movie Michael with John Travolta these are the kinds of sites he keep finding.  Sometime we need to get off the main road and just enjoy the trip instead of the destination.
Feb 25, 2008 12:26 PM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Bartley Group--They are unique and fun aren't they? I have not seen Michael but will have to find it and watch now. :)
Feb 26, 2008 12:08 AM