Finding Minnesota: McLeod County's pink farm celebrates 120 years of unique look
BROWNTOWN, Minn. — John Mellencamp had a hit song called "Little Pink Houses." And in McLeod County, you'll find a little pink house — along with a pink barn, pink doghouse and pink sheds.
In this week's Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen learned the history behind "Pink Farm" near the town of Brownton.
"Everything about being on the farm. Everything is all day long, day and night, you never know what's going to happen," Jane Tongen said.
It's true. Sometimes Keith and Jane Tongen have to chase after a horse that gets out or deal with chickens who are a bit broody. But no matter what's happening on the farm, one thing always remains the same.
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"At one time it was 'cupid pink,' I think," Jane said. "Nearly every day we'll find someone at the end of the driveway taking a picture."
For the decades the Tongens have owned their farm, they've never had to give directions — just look for the pink farm off of Highway 212.
The couple can't take credit for the color scheme. That goes to the Jackson family who built the place in the early 1900s. Back then, it was the pink elephant in the room for the town of Brownton.
"There were rumors in town that it was in the contract that it had to remain pink. Which is not true," Keith said.
Nobody really knows why the color was chosen, but Keith and Jane are tickled to keep it going. Jane married into this, but she put her foot down on the house, which is gray with pink trim.
"If it was his choice, the house would be pink. Everything would be pink," Jane said.
"You can't buy pink siding?" John Lauritsen asked.
"I've tried," Keith said. "I've tried buying pink steel for different buildings, pink vinyl, but we just can't get what we want."
So, every so often, everything gets a fresh coat of the Pepto-Bismol color.
That includes the swing set, the lighthouse, the doghouse — even the dog herself has a pink collar.
Occasionally, the Tongens have to turn someone away who is interested in buying Mary Kay cosmetics.
This just happens to be the 120th anniversary of when the farm was painted pink. And if Keith and Jane have it their way, it'll look like this for the next 120 years.
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"It is a tradition. No matter if it started out as ours or not, we love it," Jane said.
"We both absolutely love it when people drive up. We can give them a little history," Keith said.
The Tongens are hoping to give some of the buildings a fresh coat of pink this summer.
