A community gem restored: With restoration work complete, Itasca Rock Garden opens for public tours

Tucked away northwest of Albert Lea, the Itasca Rock Garden since its creation has been a marvel for residents and visitors alike.

In June, after work by conservators with the Wisconsin-based Kohler Foundation, as well as volunteer gardeners with the Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library and Village, the rock garden was expected to reopen to the public for tours.

Risha Lilienthal, curator of collections and exhibits for the Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library and Village — which was gifted the property after the restoration was complete — said interest is increasing since the museum announced online that the property would reopen for tours.

Over the years, the Itasca Rock Garden has been a popular destination for both locals and out-of-town residents to explore and visit for photographs, whether it be senior photos, weddings or anything in between. To have the garden reopen has many excited.

The garden, northwest of Edgewater Park near the site of the pioneer town of Itasca and at the corner of Itasca and Bluegrass roads, provides not only a snapshot of history almost a century ago, but also offer visually intriguing creations — many that were also meant for practical uses.

Born in Denmark in 1875, John L. Christensen came to Freeborn County when he was 9 years old. He lived and farmed in Riceland Township until his retirement.

Lilienthal said originally Christensen and his wife wanted the land where the gardens sit to be farmland. But as they started tilling, they found rocks — lots of them. They started piling up, and as the pile got larger, the conversation turned to what to do with them.

Some reports stated the rock gardens were initially constructed as a place for Christensen to store beehives. Other reports state the main castle was made as a root cellar of sorts. Yet others stated Christensen built it for his tomb.

But whatever the case may be, what began as a small project grew and grew until Christensen gathered more rocks to make other structures, and a rock garden was formed, according to Tribune archives. In addition to the main castle-like structure, the garden has grottos, bridges and even areas for ponds that at one time held water and fish. Some shells and glass are also incorporated into parts of the design.

Lilienthal said while the museum will not have the ponds filled because of safety concerns, people will be able to walk the paths throughout the entire garden, which even go on top of the main castle.

As they walk the paths, people will be able to see the different structures created, made by both rocks Christensen himself had, as well as rocks that were given to him by others that he incorporated into the gardens.

Lilienthal said she loves how Christensen and his wife worked on the project together. One grotto in the shape of a heart is in the back of the garden, and Lilienthal said it is believed it was used for things like eating, playing games and writing.

Lilienthal said once the conservators completed their work and turned it over to the museum in 2022, museum staff have utilized D/2 Biological Solution, commonly used to remove stains from things like mold, mildew and lichens on gravestones and that limit weed growth on the structures. They will use that every five years.

In addition to the garden itself, people will be able to view the rock structures Christensen built in the basement of the adjacent house through large windows overlooking the area, though they will not be able to go indoors. The house itself is rented out and is not part of the tour.

The Kohler Foundation restored the garden after it was contacted by Scott Johnson, a grandson of Arthur and Edna Johnson, who had lived on the site and cared for the garden from 1954 to 1985.

The foundation invested half a million dollars into the project, which included some improvements to the house on the property.

Itasca Rock Garden
Where: 2129 Itasca Road, Albert Lea
To set up a tour: Call 373-8003
Cost: Free for members, $5 for nonmembers

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