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The Hamlet of St. Thomas, Le Sueur County, Minnesota

 

The Hamlet of St. Thomas, although of central importance to this narrative, is little more than a curve in the road. There is no Post Office and mail service is still by rural route carrier. The name "St. Thomas" in this region is predominantly associated with the University of St. Thomas which has two campus, one each in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Thus, an internet search for that name only tends to bring up only structures related to the University.  At this point the Minnesota DNR becomes more helpful since the marshland adjacent to Hamlet is named the St. Thomas Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA).  For the intrepid traveler seeking to tour the St. Thomas area, a search for directions to the St. Thomas WMA brings it right up.  Here the site of Callihan's Tavern is used on the maps as an anchoring location. Callahan's appears to be no longer in service. A search of the Le Sueur County records shows that it is still owned by a Callahan.

The attached map shows the southward turn, that is not so well marked, at Belle Plaine which avoids going to the town of Le Sueur and backtracking. The Scott County Road # 3 going south becomes Le Sueur County Road # 11 and runs directly into the St. Thomas WMA.