Lanona was established by the Tri-State Land Company in 1891 and a post office was established on February 20, 1892. The town was not platted until September 24, 1906. John H. Ehlers was the first postmaster but served only for a few months and on July 18, 1892 Francis Sikes became the postmaster. He served for seven years and then Vestalina Sikes became his successor on February 20, 1899: One year later Beedham G. Sarvis took over the office and remained in office until it was discontinued December 31, 1910.

At the peak of its growth Lanona could not boast of a population of more than forty. There were few residences and they were occupied by the business men.

The business places consisted of a post office, a feed mill, a lumber yard, two elevators, a blacksmith shop, a general store, a depot and two stockyards. The huge general store with its porch with stone pillars was the center of the community. The last remembered storekeeper was Golden Sarvas and the store operated until about 1911.

In 1902 the population dropped to two, Mr. and Mrs. Sarvas. The only other buildings then remaining were the two elevators, two coal bins and one residence. The elevators were finally combined by the Atlantic Elevator company, run by Henry Greb. The last residence was purchased by the Bertram family and moved to the Bertram farm, where it is still in use.

In 1924 the store was moved to the Tom Gassmann farm and in 1939 the elevators burned. The townsite was sold to the Johnson Land Company and they in turn sold it to pay taxes. Only a slab or two of concrete remain of this once viable town.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 285