Other than to access the Root River State Trail [1], which has its western terminus here, the main reason to stop in Fountain is to visit the Fillmore County History Center (202 County Hwy. 8, 507/268-4449, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon.–Fri., free admission), the largest museum in the area by far.
The historical medley contains thousands of objects from the distant and not-so-distant past, such as fossils, old toys, housewares, clothes, classic cars, and farm equipment. Their 36 restored Oliver tractors date back to the 1920s. Outside are a furnished one-room schoolhouse and a spruced-up log cabin from the late 1860s.
Fountain is named for the abundant natural springs in the area, and the results of those springs has lent the town its motto: “Sink Hole Capital of the U.S.A.” There are about 100 of these small, usually shallow pits right around town; look for clumps of trees. One is fenced off directly across from the museum. You can see many more along County Highway 8 west of town and from a viewing platform just down the Root River Trail.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/minnesota/bluff-country/amish-country/lanesboro/recreation