Minnesota State Highway 56 is a highway

Highway

A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...

 in southeast Minnesota

Minnesota

Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...

, which runs from its intersection

Intersection (road)

An intersection is a road junction where two or more roads either meet or cross at grade . An intersection may be 3-way - a T junction or fork, 4-way - a crossroads, or 5-way or more...

 with U.S. Highway 63

U.S. Route 63

U.S. Route 63 is a long north–south United States highway primarily in the Midwestern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at Interstate 20 in Ruston, Louisiana. The northern terminus is at U.S. Route 2 in Benoit, Wisconsin, about east of Duluth, Minnesota. It is not related to U.S...

 near the Iowa

Iowa

Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...

 state line and Chester, Iowa

Chester, Iowa

Chester is a city in Howard County, Iowa, United States. The population was 127 in the 2010 census, a decrease of 15.9% from the 151 population in the 2000 census...

, and continues north to its northern terminus at its junction

Junction (traffic)

A junction, when discussed in the context of transport, is a location where traffic can change between different routes, directions, or sometimes modes, of travel.-Historical significance:...

 with U.S. Highway 52

U.S. Route 52 in Minnesota

U.S. Highway 52 enters the state of Minnesota at the unincorporated community of Prosper, north of the town of Burr Oak, Iowa. The route is marked north–south in Minnesota along its independent segment from the Iowa state line to downtown St. Paul...

 and State Highway 50

Minnesota State Highway 50

Minnesota State Highway 50 is a highway in Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highway 3 and Dakota County Road 74 in Farmington and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with U.S...

 in Hampton

Hampton, Minnesota

Hampton is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 689 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land. U.S...

.

Highway 56 is 99 miles (159.3 km) in length.

Route description

Highway 56 serves as a north–south route in southeast Minnesota between Le Roy, Adams, Brownsdale, Hayfield, Dodge Center, West Concord, Kenyon, and Hampton.

Highway 56 begins near the Minnesota - Iowa state line and heads west through the towns of Le Roy

Le Roy, Minnesota

Le Roy is a city in Mower County, Minnesota, United States, surrounded by Le Roy Township. The population was 929 at the 2010 census. Lake Louise State Park is just outside of the town.-Geography:...

, Adams

Adams, Minnesota

Adams is a city in Adams Township, Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 787 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...

, Taopi

Taopi, Minnesota

Taopi is a city in Lodi Township, Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 58 at the 2010 census. It is located near the source of the Wapsipinicon River.-Geography:...

 and Rose Creek

Rose Creek, Minnesota

Rose Creek is a city in Windom Township, Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 394 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...

. Near Le Roy, Highway 56 passes near Lake Louise State Park

Lake Louise State Park

Lake Louise State Park is a Minnesota state park just north of the Iowa border near the small town of Le Roy in Mower County, Minnesota, directly south of Rochester. It has a 25 acre man-made lake and of mixed prairie and deciduous forest. It is used for picnics, swimming, camping, hiking,...

. The route then heads due north west of Rose Creek and has an interchange

Interchange (road)

In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...

 with Interstate Highway 90

Interstate 90 in Minnesota

In the U.S. state of Minnesota, Interstate 90 traverses the southern side of the state, parallel to the Minnesota-Iowa state line. The route connects the cities of Worthington, Albert Lea, and Austin. The cities of Rochester and Winona are also in close proximity to I-90, with Winona about 10...

 five miles (8 km) east of Austin

Austin, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 23,314 people, 9,897 households, and 6,076 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,168.2 people per square mile . There were 10,261 housing units at an average density of 954.3 per square mile...

.

Highway 56 heads through northern Mower County

Mower County, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 38,603 people, 15,582 households, and 10,315 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 16,251 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...

 and enters Dodge County

Dodge County, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,731 people, 6,420 households, and 4,853 families residing in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile . There were 6,642 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...

 north of Waltham

Waltham, Minnesota

Waltham is a city in Waltham Township, Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 151 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...

. State Highway 30

Minnesota State Highway 30

Minnesota State Highway 30 is a highway in southwest and southeast Minnesota, which runs from South Dakota Highway 34 at the South Dakota state line near Airlie and Pipestone, and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with Minnesota Highway 43 in Rushford.Highway 30 is in...

 intersects this route just west of Hayfield

Hayfield, Minnesota

Hayfield is a city in Dodge County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,340 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Transportation:...

. Ten miles north of Hayfield, Highway 56 is concurrent

Concurrency (road)

A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...

 with the U.S. Highway 14

U.S. Route 14

U.S. Route 14 , an east–west route, is one of the original United States highways of 1926. It currently has a length of 1,398 miles , but it had a peak length of 1,429 miles . For much of its length, it runs roughly parallel to Interstate 90.As of 2004, the highway's eastern terminus is in...

 bypass around Dodge Center

Dodge Center, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,226 people, 824 households, and 588 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,173.8 people per square mile . There were 859 housing units at an average density of 452.9 per square mile...

. After passing through West Concord

West Concord, Minnesota

West Concord is a city in Dodge County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 782 at the 2010 census.The early settlers of the area were from New England, New York or Pennsylvania and West Concord, and well as Concord Township which surrounds it, were named after Concord, New...

, the route crosses into Goodhue County

Goodhue County, Minnesota

Goodhue County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 46,183. Its county seat is Red Wing. Nearly all of Prairie Island Indian Community is within the county.-History:...

.

In Kenyon

Kenyon, Minnesota

Kenyon is a city in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, along the North Fork of the Zumbro River. It was founded in 1856 and named in honor of Kenyon College...

, Highway 56 intersects State Highway 60

Minnesota State Highway 60

Minnesota State Highway 60 is a highway in southern Minnesota, which runs from Iowa Highway 60 at the Iowa state line and continues east-northeast to its eastern terminus at the Wisconsin state line , where the route becomes Wisconsin Highway 25 upon crossing the Mississippi River.Highway 60 is...

 and State Highway 246

Minnesota State Highway 246

Minnesota State Highway 246 is a highway in southeast Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highway 3 in the city of Northfield and continues south and east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with State Highway 56 in Holden Township near Kenyon.Highway 246 is in...

 north of the city. The intersection of Highway 56 and State Highway 19

Minnesota State Highway 19

Minnesota State Highway 19 is a highway in southwest and southeast Minnesota, which runs from South Dakota Highway 30 at the South Dakota state line near Ivanhoe and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with U.S...

 at Stanton

Stanton, Minnesota

Stanton is an unincorporated community in Stanton Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States. It lies at the junction of Minnesota State Highways 19 and 56, approximately 10 miles east of Northfield. Its post office closed during federal budget cuts in the 1970s.The community is served by...

 is located between Northfield

Northfield, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,147 people, 4,909 households, and 3,210 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,452.2 people per square mile . There were 5,119 housing units at an average density of 732.1 per square mile...

 and Cannon Falls

Cannon Falls, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,795 people, 1,550 households, and 996 families residing in the city. The population density was 946.4 people per square mile . There were 1,611 housing units at an average density of 401.8 per square mile...

. Highway 56 enters Dakota County

Dakota County, Minnesota

Dakota County is the third most populous county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The county is bordered by the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers on the north, and the state of Wisconsin on the east. Dakota County comprises the southeast portion of seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul, the thirteenth...

 near Randolph

Randolph, Minnesota

Randolph is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 436 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water. State Highway 56 serves as a main route in the community. ...

, and continues for ten more miles until it reaches its northern terminus at U.S. 52

U.S. Route 52 in Minnesota

U.S. Highway 52 enters the state of Minnesota at the unincorporated community of Prosper, north of the town of Burr Oak, Iowa. The route is marked north–south in Minnesota along its independent segment from the Iowa state line to downtown St. Paul...

 and State Highway 50

Minnesota State Highway 50

Minnesota State Highway 50 is a highway in Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highway 3 and Dakota County Road 74 in Farmington and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with U.S...

 at Hampton

Hampton, Minnesota

Hampton is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 689 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land. U.S...

.

At its southern end, Highway 56 is officially designated as the Shooting Star Scenic Byway from U.S. 63

U.S. Route 63

U.S. Route 63 is a long north–south United States highway primarily in the Midwestern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at Interstate 20 in Ruston, Louisiana. The northern terminus is at U.S. Route 2 in Benoit, Wisconsin, about east of Duluth, Minnesota. It is not related to U.S...

 north to its interchange

Interchange (road)

In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...

 with Interstate 90

Interstate 90 in Minnesota

In the U.S. state of Minnesota, Interstate 90 traverses the southern side of the state, parallel to the Minnesota-Iowa state line. The route connects the cities of Worthington, Albert Lea, and Austin. The cities of Rochester and Winona are also in close proximity to I-90, with Winona about 10...

. This byway is so named because of the endangered wildflowers that bloom in June and July.

History

Highway 56 was authorized on November 2, 1920 between U.S. Route 16

U.S. Route 16

U.S. Route 16 is an east–west United States Highway between Rapid City, South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming....

 and Kenyon

Kenyon, Minnesota

Kenyon is a city in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, along the North Fork of the Zumbro River. It was founded in 1856 and named in honor of Kenyon College...

. The route was extended south to U.S. Highway 63

U.S. Route 63

U.S. Route 63 is a long north–south United States highway primarily in the Midwestern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at Interstate 20 in Ruston, Louisiana. The northern terminus is at U.S. Route 2 in Benoit, Wisconsin, about east of Duluth, Minnesota. It is not related to U.S...

 and north through the Twin Cities to U.S. Highway 169

U.S. Route 169 in Minnesota

U.S. Route 169 is a major north–south highway in the U.S. state of Minnesota, connecting the Minnesota River valley with the Twin Cities and the Iron Range. Much of the route is built to expressway or freeway standards.-Route description:U.S...

 in Aitkin

Aitkin, Minnesota

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,984 people, 892 households, and 434 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,150.3 people per square mile . There were 969 housing units at an average density of 561.8 per square mile...

 in 1933.

The route was then terminated to various locations in Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...

 from 1963 to 1974. The portion of Highway 56 through and north of Minneapolis was renumbered State Highway 47

Minnesota State Highway 47

Minnesota State Highway 47 is a highway in east-central Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with Central Avenue in Minneapolis and continues north to its northern terminus at its intersection with U.S. Highway 169 in Aitkin....

 in 1963.

Highway 56 had its northern terminus at State Highway 3

Minnesota State Highway 3

Minnesota State Highway 3 is a state highway in Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with MN 21 in Faribault and continues north to its northern terminus at an interchange with MN 110 in Inver Grove Heights...

 in downtown St. Paul from 1974 to 1994, and has ended at its current northern terminus at Hampton

Hampton, Minnesota

Hampton is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 689 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land. U.S...

 since 1994.

The former part of the route (Concord Street) from Interstate Highway 494

Interstate 494

Interstate 494 is a loop route making up part of a beltway of Interstate 94, circling through the southern and western portions of the Minneapolis – Saint Paul metropolitan area in Minnesota...

 in South St. Paul

South St. Paul, Minnesota

South St. Paul is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, immediately south and southeast of the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota. It is also southeast of West St. Paul, Minnesota. The population was 20,160 at the 2010 census. It is notable as one of the historic major meat packing cities in the United...

 to U.S. Highway 52

U.S. Route 52 in Minnesota

U.S. Highway 52 enters the state of Minnesota at the unincorporated community of Prosper, north of the town of Burr Oak, Iowa. The route is marked north–south in Minnesota along its independent segment from the Iowa state line to downtown St. Paul...

 in Saint Paul is now marked as State Highway 156

Minnesota State Highway 156

Minnesota State Highway 156 is a highway in Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with Interstate 494 in South St. Paul and continues north to its northern terminus at its interchange with U.S. Highway 52 near downtown Saint Paul....

.

Major intersections