Dickinson Spring Artesian Well, Rockford, MN

## Overview Dickinson Spring Artesian Well is a beloved roadside artesian well located along Highway 55 between Rockford and Buffalo in Wright County, Minnesota. The well was originally dug by a local farmer in 1914 and served the surrounding community for years. During the severe drought that followed the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s, the well dried out completely. In 1938, a road crew working in the area drove a pipe deeper into the well, and it began to flow once again — and has continued to do so ever since. The well takes its name from the nearby ghost town of Dickinson, a small settlement that once dotted this stretch of central Minnesota. Today, the bubbling spout of artesian water is a popular stop for locals and travelers passing through the area. The well was featured in a 2007 Minnesota Public Radio article highlighting Minnesota's public drinking wells, underscoring its place as a cherished community resource. The artesian well flows year-round, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Visitors have historically used the water as a drinking water source, and many stop to fill jugs and bottles. As with any natural water source, water quality can vary over time. ## Directions 1. From the Twin Cities, head west on **Highway 55** (State Highway 55). 2. Continue past the town of **Rockford, MN**. 3. Between **Rockford** and **Buffalo**, watch for a small roadside rest stop / pull-off on the side of Highway 55. 4. The artesian well is located at this pull-off — look for the flowing spout near the road. 5. **GPS coordinates:** 45.121227, -93.813736 6. The listed address is **3722 State Hwy 55, Buffalo, MN 55313**, which can be used for navigation. The stop is easy to miss if you're not watching for it, so keep an eye out for the small pull-off area and any vehicles parked along the highway. ## What to Expect Dickinson Spring Artesian Well is a simple, no-frills roadside stop. You'll find a pipe or spout from which artesian water flows continuously. The pull-off area is small, located directly alongside Highway 55, so use caution when parking and exiting your vehicle. The well is open around the clock, every day of the year, making it a convenient stop whether you're on a morning commute or a late-night road trip. Many visitors bring jugs or bottles to fill up. The water has been reported to taste clean and fresh, and the well has been used as a drinking water source by the local community for over a century. Because this is a roadside artesian well with no formal facilities, there are no restrooms, picnic tables, or other amenities. The surrounding landscape is typical of central Minnesota's rolling farmland — pleasant and pastoral, especially in the warmer months. In winter, the well continues to flow, though icy conditions around the spout and pull-off area are possible, so exercise care.