Royalton is found on US Highway 10 between St. Cloud and Little Falls, MN. It is a small community of just over 1,000 people located in both Morrison and Benton counties. It is also located on the Platte River. This is the focus of their community festival Platte River Day put on by the lions. They also have Christmas on the Platte with decorated trees to walk through and see in Memorial Park. It does look like the town has a lot of parks for their citizens. These include a skate park, nature park, disc golf, splash park, ATV/Snowmobile trails, Soo Line bike trail, and is near Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
The only true history of Royalton I could find is that it was a railway village platted in 1878. A large majority of its settlers came from a township/town from Vermont with the same name. The town was incorporated in 1887.
One other thing of interest I found after our visit is the dam near Royalton. Near Blanchard Dam they have cross rocks or “fairy” crosses that you can look for. Here is the site for more information: Cross Rocks / Fairy Crosses – Visit Little Falls (littlefallsmn.com) It is located on the Soo Line Trail about 5 miles West of Highway 10.
Treasure City
If you have ever driven US Highway 10 from St. Cloud to Little Falls you will have seen Treasure City in Royalton on the side of the road. It is one of those places of guilty pleasure intrigue. You know by the looks of it that you probably do not need to stop, but part of you just wants to. It reminds me of Wall Drug in South Dakota in more ways than one.
The official description of Treasure City is that it is Central Minnesota’s largest gift and souvenir shop. It is truly a great place to stop off with the kids if they have money burning a hole in their pocket. The shop even has a picnic area and playground (though I would say it is like 1980s playground) behind it for travelers. There are also places to take photos as Paul Bunyan and his family along with a band of pirates!
When you first walk in you are welcomed by the Man-Eating Clam so beware! The shop is very crowded and has fairly cheap things to buy for the most part. They do have Minnetonka Moccasin for sale which is high quality and some Pennsylvania Dutch Candies. There is definitely treasure to be found, but you need to look and weed through everything else. Do I have to stop here again? No. Can I see myself stopping here again with my family? Yes. Like I said, it is kind of like Wall Drug. You go to look and not buy so much. It’s a nice little stop off if needed.
