foreword

The purpose of this publication is to create a nostalgic viewpoint regarding the history of Crookston. Limited space, time allowed, and length of period covered do not, and cannot, allow for the comprehensive history. The Polk County Historical Society's publication in 1976 provided a thorough coverage of area history including that of pioneer families in surrounding communities.

In the few months allotted our committee to compile information, a concerted effort was made by a committee of five to research city records, accomplish interviews, and study a vast amount of literature. It is the hope of the Centennial Committee that sometime in the future a group could be found willing to donate at least two years of their time to compile a complete historical account of Crookston. Somehow, even though time allowed us to only tap the surface, we're convinced a follow-up team of volunteers would thoroughly enjoy their two year dedication.

In order to avoid unauthorized duplication of material the Crookston Centennial Committee has requested acknowledgement for any material used from this book.

For what has been accomplished in these 120 pages, we are deeply grateful to a number of people who, like ourselves, volunteered their time towards one specific goal.... a nostalgic return to the past. We hope you enjoy your journey.

Co-editors: Dorothy McCulla Cathy Wright Committee: SisterMary Magdelene Maybelle Anderson Mary Vattendahl

2-8, Table of Contents

Page

Foreword ...... 1 �

Table of Contents and Acknowledgements ...... 2

Early Settlement ...... 3

Pioneer Citizens ...... 7

Home Life ...... 13

City Government and Services ...... 21

. Schools ...... 33

...... 45 Transportation ......

Communications ...... 50

Industry and Agriculture ...... 56

Professionals ...... 74

Culture and Clubs ...... 93

Sports and Recreation ...... 108

"I Remember When" ...... 119

Acknowledgemen ts

CHURCH: Sister Mary Magdalene, Dorothy McCulla, Maybelle Anderson and numerous church historians. EDUCATION: Alpha Morek, Sister Thomas, Jeanette Fournet, Sister Christine CULTURAL RECREATION: Dorothy McCulla: notes from Evelyn (Probstfield) Gesell, Louise Hiller, Cathy Wright. PROFESSIONALS: Drs. W.F. Mercil and C.D. Mitchell, John and Bertha Padden, Cathy Wright, Sister Petronilla, Nadine Carlson, Mary Vattendahl. MUSEUM: Bruno Jurchen HOME LIFE: Ann Olson, Cathy Wright, Dorothy McCulla. GOVERNMENT: Harold Thomforde, Robert Hussey, Cathy Wright, H.T. (Doc) and Loretta Welter, Harry Dillabough, Jerry Amiot, Harry Sylvestre, Vid Roy, Jerome Markel, Robert McWaters, Lois Grove and Karen Smith. COMMUNICATIONS: Bill Kiewel, Cathy Wright ADDITIONS: Ade Ness, Dr. Janet MacGregor, Dorothy McCulla, Cathy Wrieht TRANSPORTATION: Evelyn Beaudry, Rosaire and Alice Boucher, Dorothy McCulla PEOPLE: Cathy Wright, Dorothy McCulla, Mary Vattendahl SPORTS: Herschel Lysaker, Dr. Robert Baab, Roy Lindell, Joyce Reynolds, Bill Sullivan, Eleanor and Rom Ogaard, Dr. C.D. Mitchell, and Bob Strand. CLUBS: Maybelle Anderson and numberous club members. AGRICULTURE: Dr. B.E. Youngquist, Cathy Wright INDUSTRY: Harold Thomforde, Cathy Wright, Dorothv McCulla, Maybelle Anderson REMINISCING: Mrs. Isabel (Gramer) Poppenhagen, Cathy Wright ODDITIES, FILLERS, INTRODUCTIONS: Dorothy McCulla, Cathy Wright, Mary Vattendahl, Maybelle Anderson, Alpha Morek. ADVERTISING: Cathy Wright, Vicki Irwin, Judy Dragseth PHOTOGRAPHS: Ken Johnson, John Evenson. And others who contributed pictures.

2 In The Beginning. • • • • • • • People come and go, but the town At first the Valley was mainly stock Poor drainage in the area often inter­ remains. Cowing Avenue becomes country because of the natural condi­ rupted the farmer's trip to town because Holly and Oak is later called Broad­ tions. Transportation was the crudest he got stuck in the mire every forty rods way, but the geography stays the kind, mostly by ox teams over poor for a distance of more than six miles. A same. The serpentine river con­ roads and across unbridged streams. drainage convention was soon called for tinues to wind around itself, separ­ The early settler lived snugly along the and held in Crookston in 1880 at which ating addition from addition, much river bank, well sheltered by tall timber, J.J. Hill, representing the railroad, to the confusion of newcomers. A in which he had a cluster of log build­ pledged one-third of the cost of a drain­ few old buildings remind one of the ings used for dwelling and stables. He age survey. At the next legislative ses­ past, but that thing called progress had a large herd of fat cattle fed exclu­ sion, drainage appropriation was made, has come in and applied the wreck­ sively on prairie hay which had been and in due time a system was installed ing ball to many others. Stil more gathered with a hand scythe and pitch­ which produced incalculable benefits to have died by fire or time. Yet, fork. the area. baSically, Crookston is the same - railroad tracks as they were in the Unrestricted freedom was enjoyed by 1870's, streets running north, and the pioneer. There was no encroach­ south, east and west, houses built ment by near neighbors, and he had along the river banks, roads leading unlimited range for his cattle in out in all directions to farms and summer, with plenty of timber to choose other towns, except that these are from for building and for firewood in no longer rutty trails but paved winter. highways. Yet probably Ed Walsh and Tom Morris could still find their Then a change came. The prairie be­ way around. gan to be settled, and opportunities for raising stock began to diminish. Claim shanties appeared on former meadows and pasture lands. Soon men were driv­ Early ing two ox teams abreast before a breaking plow, turning down the green grass and turning up the black soU. In Settleme nts time the vast open prairie became dotted with shacks and was well­ In the early 1870's the influx of set­ covered by fenced fields. tlers was rather slow due to the ravages of grasshoppers and the unsettled con­ Farmers began producing large dition of railroad building. The settle­ wheat crops which were hauled into ment of the surrounding areas was Crookston by ox drawn wagons at the mainly along the streams, the Red Ri­ speed of two miles an hour. Grain eleva­ ver, Sand Hill, and Red Lake rivers as tots sprang up to take care of the huge far as a few miles above Crookston. The crops appearing at railroad loading sta­ Waiting for the stage. Note the muddy unoccupied prairie was still in the wild tions. streets. The setting is the Scandia stage of nature's development. Hotel. Lands were not surveyed until 1874. Up until that time settlers were merely squatters. It soon became known where they were "at", and from that time on government regulations followed.

The railroad company had a grant of every odd section for twenty miles from the Red River East, extending from the March River to the Canadian line. Dur­ ing a dispute on the validity of the grant, applications to purchase land were duly acknowledged on post cards informing squatters thattheirs would be the firstcon sidered.

With the end of the dispute, railroad land went on the market at 55 per acre, rebated at rate of 52.50 per acre for breaking three-fourths of it, with an The Joseph O. Sargents. He was a Civil War veteran who lived near Northfield before additional rebate of fifty cents per acre moving to Crookston in 1893 to farm and was one of the posse' who trailed and captured for cropping it. Therefore a quarter sec­ the James and Younger brothers. He exchanged farming for building contracting and tion of land cost only 5440, and no resi­ erected many of the city's public buildings. Married at age 24, the couple had two dence was required. children who did not survive.

3 Loring, and Robert Houston. Streets April 19, 1883, with the work done by Platting were duly named after them. These lo­ Jerome and Co. and an area near the cations enjoyed a lower altitude above entrance to Central Park was named sea level than the surrounding prairies A.C. Loting's Addition, June 23, 1880. of Additions which protected them fromthe cold wir!­ tery blasts of northern Minnesota. Then Carman, in the early days, was a sep­ .. too, an abundance of trees kept them arate townsite with its own government, Began in 1815 cool in summer. fire department. waterwells, and school. The town was platted Septem­ It was Iln eventfulday, September 14, South of Houston Ave. in what is ber 4, 1884, by E.D. Childs, Ellwood 1872 that the steamboat, Dakota, oper­ known now as the Woods Addition, a Carson, James Hill, Walter Bailey, N.P. ated by Jim Hill and Norman Kittson section was platted as Fletcher's Addi­ Stone, and Joseph Netzer. It was named landed on the bank of the river near the tion on September 15, 1879. Later, the for a Baptist minister, Rev. John end of West Third Street. Captain Fred Woods also acquired Hurlbut's and Carman, who served this area. Carman A. Bill's log read: "There were a couple Clement's Additions, and Cromb and in later years became the fifth ward of hundred people there then and most of Sletton's subdivision. Crookston. them in tents and structures with board sides and canvas roofs. About a public What is known as the "Flats" had Walsh's Addition was platted April square were several stores, both wet two mappings. An area on either side of 19, 1883 by E.M. and Emma Walsh and and dry, and a number of hotels, the Maple Street was called C.M. Loring's is located adjacent to Highland Park. On main ones being Our House and Ells­ Addition on June 2, 1879, and the re­ July 10, 1909, the Norcross Addition in worth House, all very crude and mainder became Chase's Addition on South Crookston was mapped out by rough." August 26, 1884. Chase Addition was a Strander Abstract and Investment Com­ prime spot located at the end of West pany, with C.C. Strander as president A short three years later, in Septem­ Robert St., an area west of the Great and O.W. Peterson as secretary. ber 1875, the townsite was platted. It is Northern tracks surrounded on three interesting to note on this plat that the sides by the Red Lake River. Many of Crookston continued to expand in the street we know as Broadway was named the early railroad men, as well as busi­ 1900's. Recorded were Highland Park, Oak Street; otherwise only a few ness men, located in this area. Tom Darkow's Groveland, 1st and 2nd changes have been made. Nelson built and operated a boarding Country Club, Golf Terrace, Davis, house on Maple St. to board the many Norton's and Sunnyside Additions, As more people arrived, the town had men involved in railroad construction. Grand View Place, Benedict Addition, to expand, and the next area to be and Eickhof's sub-division. An area platted was Fletcher and Houston's Sampson's Addition was laid out near the cemetery has recently been Addition, July 7, 1877, an area from April 14, 1883, by Julius and Sarah called the Pembina Trail Addition, with Fletcher Street south to Houston Ave­ Bjernstad, with B. Sampson as Atturney streets named Rollette Road and Oxcart nue laid out by Loren Fletcher, C.M. in Fact. Jerome's Addition dates back to Lane.

H�ull ing 'lCogrtbrr for tbr ct[rook�ton �rraU

C!Cbnmber of C!Commerce

211 J}ortb jiroabtuap ..

1fncorporatrb 1943 (fxrcutibr lJict-l}rt�ibtnt jiob �u� tafgon

4 In order to encourage settlement, the fic was to the two-wheel hand-pushed yard was located to the east of the saw­ government would donate every odd lumber carts crossing to and from the mill. The saw-mill, running day and numbered section of land for ten miles lumber yard, and so the county commis­ night from the time ice went out until each side of the railroad right-of-way to sioners were prevailed upon to develop ice came in the fall, gave employment to the railroad company, upon completion a road south of the lumber yard, thus hundreds of men.

• through a designated area. The railroad bringing trafficto within a block or two company in turn could place such land of the Carman stores. In those days Carman was also an on the market, a common price being Indian trading point. The W.D. Bailey $2.50 per acre. That last road was the straw which General Store catered to that trade, Mr. aroused the Crookston people to sense Bailey having mastered the Chippewa The firm of Childs and Hill purchased an "influence" which was causing the language. His chief clerk, Joe Beavieux, quite a number of such sections. In the delay in having a more substantial road was a half breed. A general slaughter purchase was section I in Andover and connection to the east via Jerome's house was located in the woods along Township, a part of which section was Addition. the river bank east of the brick yard and later platted and recorded as Carman the favorite camping ground of the Townsite. From 1879 to the time of the construc­ Indians was in the woods near the tion of the Great Northern branch line to slaughterhouse. In the early 80's, Carman had one Fosston about 1888, Carman was the ambition; to rival Crookston. One argu­ main market for all that eastern terri­ S tt"eets-City Set"vices ment advanced was that the expense of tory. It was known for its three flourish­ Hard-surfaced streets were unheard building a city on level land, a reason­ ing hotels, besides two or three board­ of in Crookston during its first thirty able distance from a river, would be but ing houses, three grain elevators, three years of life as a city. Though the town a small part of the cost it would take to saloons, three blacksmith shops, three had a city engineer named George grade streets, level off ts,lo meet the general stores, a hardware store, feed Ralph as early as 1892, streets, curbs, problem of bridges, sewage, etc., on store, millinery store, harness shop and and gutters were not his major worry. such uneven river bottom land as the others, besides a large retail machinery site Crookston was being expanded business, Bates lumber yard, creamery The first paved residential streets, ac­ upon. It would be subject to floods, and cheese factory, sash and door fac­ cording to R. W. Hussey, were in the maybe devastating ones. As a result of tory, and other enterprises. Woods Addition and were completed in this determined campaign, it was some 1911. They were concrete with bitumi­ time before people had the courage to The dairy farm of E.D. Childs Co. was nous topping. Most of the uptown area build on such low parts of South Ash pretty much of a monopoly as a source was improved by paving before 1920. Street or "The Woods" addition as it is of supply to milk users in both Carman Hunter Street from Houston to Cromb known. and Crookston. The cows numbered as was hard-surfaced in 1923, and Sixth many as 125, and as many as three de­ from Broadway to University in 1922. Mr. Childs was ambitious and re­ livery carts were used. Any extra milk sourceful in promoting the interests of was delivered to the Childs' cheese fac­ It was a joyous day at the N.W. Carman. He saw to it that trafficto and tory. School and Experiment Station in 1921 from the east was mainly via the Car­ when Highway 2 was paved from Crook­ man bridge and the county developed The T.B. Walker Saw Mill was lo­ ston to the U. property. This was the thc road along the saw mill. Mr. Childs cated between Carman and the river, first concrete pavement in what was later observed the interference the traf- and the large and active Vance brick then the Ninth Congressional District.

Curb and gutter work and street light­ ing came along in 1913-14. A concrete driveway could be built then for 16 cents a square foot ! The first ornamental street lighting was bid in April, 1913.

Horses, of C(lurse, did a lot of the city's work. All city sidewalks were kept clean of snow by a team and a wooden V-shaped plow. Garbage pickup was by horses and wagon, and streets were flushed down twice a week by a team pulling a wooden barrel-like tank of water mounted on wheels. Crane Dray and Transfer and the Fink Dray Line performed some of these services.

• Enterprising citizens made several attempts at establishing a bus line in the city after automobile transportation was common. One, started in 1935, last­ ed only one year. The others were equally unsuccesssfui. In the early days of cars. gas pumps were on the side­ walks at the curbs.

By the way, Jerome's Addition had The place to shop in 1907 was the New York Store, situated where Johnson Drug is the foresight to establish a dike fund as today. at 101 NorthBroadway. early as 1920! 5 In 1875, the population was ISO, with 197 persons in the en­ tire district. Very early, schools, literary societies and a philhar· Heart of the lttinneBot. Side monic society were established. Croo1i:stoD, It The literary society used its sur­ of the Red River Valley. plus funds to supporta circulating library which speaks well for the ai.UJtOADS1\0 10010 NoaTI. soura, EAST&wa!. young county and city. They be­ GUAT SAW ILL IV In • C,'ij)Klt) or fwelit)' Mdlioll gan to feel conscious of their !. • "t. " "now' bei� b itil1 b) 1 . H w.Htt;t of �ftluleatiOlt\L _ praire type of town so one citizen had his house painted to indicate t owa of6000 '.opl •• l0•• '...... '.... 1 8.n. ,., .the end of pioneer conditions. .'.. 8 I' . t.f .ltl., a •••• $&&.808• Pigs, though, were stiIJ allowed to run around a bit, and this was Well erect ed tfeet. and 4 Brid••• ero ••ln. hard on the citizens who planted the Red Lake R'ye, wbich ta nevi.abS. flowers and gardens. Drinking / 10 Croo_ton .. water was taken from the Red StTVATBD •• O.G 'niB GBOVBS or tbe �l,� Lake River. hlill (:P"jf(lU" o"er h h(�t (If �n.�;� In 1878 the population jumped hn ·j.JOi�u�l;;v ntf to 300 and boasted one drug OBOPS during till'! _hi a;.�e.te. store, three lawyers, two physi­ Uu r�tl TboQli\n.,j ttibtllll') \� n. JilDd uwDd tht cians and a Union Church. WUTWA&D t!«) bore wattf l.i()lII'tr illOd • • &.,sal'••• Oaul. 1••• ,t.1. . j. tb� tlW'l (lotl( Here .rei U\( CAt), Waw SWrr� W' I "ltl1 eKh �Ut dati) �t • ., . I f

Hear Ye ! Hear Yet A land sale biIJ published in St. Paul in 1891.

Bjoin and Carlson's livery stable was an important business in pre-automobile days.

..

The Crookston Steam Laundry was lo­ cated across from the present Otter Tail Fred Reyer. blacksmith. (center) operated his shop in the early 1900's across from the office. present M & H Gas station. 6 Let's Call Them�·The Ori ginals·�

It wasn't the empire builders or the captains of industry or the land scalpers . It wasn't the get-rich­ quick adventurers or the pampered easy-livers or what we call today the jet-setters. Quite the opposite.

The settlers who first came to Crookston between 1871 and 1880 were a group of men and women resolute enough to tackle living in a land never before occupied by Edmund M. Walsh, Crookston's first whites. Polk County in 1871 had one postmaster (1872). He also held office white settler, according to the U.S. as county auditor, clerk of the district Census. court, mayor, first city council member, and first school board member. Occupa­ Where did they come from, these tion .....tinsmi th. William Anglim, merchant. people? You can call early Crook­ ston a cosmopolitan center, for they C.S. Spendley, Mary Carlton, Reuben E.B. Durdahl, and Kelsey D. Chase in were Scottish, Irish, English, Reynolds, Ellery Davis, Henry Shep­ 1876. French, Norwegian, Swedish, hard, Jake Myers, Frank Jerome, Louis Danish, German, Canadian, Yankee Johnson, and Henry Mitchell. Shephard Listed in 1877 are Ellsworth Childs, [N. H., Vt., Mass., Pa ., and N.Y.] -­ was often called "Pioneer of the North­ M.R. Brown, Peter Eide, H.E. Cooke, and Minnesotan, too. Many were west. " Joseph LeBlanc, Edward Barrette, Civil Wa r veterans looking for a new Thomas Harris, Wilbur C. Lytle, O.K. life in a new place. Glowing ads in Walsh also lists J.R. Barb, Munro Quamme, Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Casmey, the St. Paul papers attracted them. and H.G. Palmer, E.H. Shaw, Mr. and Louis Wentzel, the Thos. Thygesons, They read about the fertile country­ Mrs. Peter Cornelius, David Wilkins, William Lobb, John Patnode, and Hans side, the good lands for sale, the Sam Honeywell, and Christ Sathre as Clausen (Fairfax). opportunities railroad and building among the earliest in the settlement. construction offered . They repre­ Others were Mark Rauenbuehler, and In 1878 came Felix Fournet, Thomas sented all professions. Many were Frederick Moeckel. H. and O.A. Bjoin, William Watts, versatile enough to occupy several Louis Fontaine, Rudolph Burkhardt, posts in the new settlement. Most James Greenhalgh staked a claim on John Alderman, John W. and James brought their families with them, an the Red Lake River in 1872, three miles O'Brien, Tom Morris, W.S. Anglim, indication of stability. Others sent from the city of Crookston. His quarter Sam Lucian, and LouisGon yea. Charles for theirs as soon as they were was on the odd-numbered sections that M. Loring Julia Donahue, Mrs. Wm. established . the St. Paul & PacificRailroad Company Beiswenger, Catherine Hoven, the Let's caIl them "The Originals", that laid claim to. A long and costly contest Harry Ducharmes, Mr. and Mrs. John small group of people way back in 1872, was waged, but Mr. Greenhalgh won, Amundson, Chris Hoch. Michael Casey. who first fo unded a town to be called and the case was the means of winning J.P. Noesen. O. Mercil Jr .• Nels Vol­ Crookston. Though there were other many other similar cases for poor set­ land. Martin Casey. George Darkow. settlements in the county along the tlers who had unwittingly located upon the H.H. Thoresons. and O.K. Berget. Sand Hill, Red, and Red Lake rivers by railroad claimed property. 1871 , these are the men and women Among the '7gers were W.A. Marin. who saw the possibilities of this site as a In 1873 N.K. Olson, Peter Heydt, Nathan P. Stone. Charles E. Dampier, home and dug in here. E. F. Kelley, the Richard Hutchinsons, August Akerlund. Thomas Shapleigh. and Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. KeIley, Mark Rauenbuehler. John Cromb. Who were these '72 settlers? Their nee EIla Fleming, (Crookston Town­ James and Thomas Morrisey, John names are familiar to most Crookston ship) arrived. Mrs. John Saugstad also Saugstad. James Muir, John McGrew, people because there are streets and came in '73. Alberic Chabot. the Ed Mossefins, J.O. additions named after them. Edmund Sargent. the Stanhope Collinses. M. Walsh, who was twenty when he By 1874 when the railroad was as­ August Walters. Hugh R. Robertson. settled here, has, in his memoirs, fur­ sured, there was an influx of more peo­ A.J. McKinnon. Alex McKinnon, nished us with these names as weIl as ple: Walter Bailey, Nels Woodstrom , Milton B. Hayes, Oscar Hamery. much information about those first Casper Sand, H.J. Kertson, Ole Sundet, Walter Latta, John McPhee. In the years. His early neighbors here were Clara Cochrane, Mrs. George Flaten, all townships: Eric Samuelson (Andover); Robert Houston and his nephew, Well· in 1874. Ole Christianson (Lowell); and Hans ington JeweIl; the John Darkows, Bern­ Johnson (Euclid). O. Mercil. E. Mercil. hard Sampson, Delos Jacobus, Mr. and Ole Hoven, Carl Aarnes, P.R. Samp­ the A.M. Sivertsons. Chas. Brouillard, Mrs. James Greenhalgh, the Joseph son, and Frank Lerum settled here in Jebedee Lusia. Mrs. Wm. Watts. Ger­ Barretts, F.J. and Annie Colter Las­ 1875 followed by Elias Steenerson, trude Watts, the August Munns. Mr. chapelle, William Stuart, William Ross, Norbert Barrett, August Wentzel, Mrs. and Mrs. O.E. Urness, Frank Brunner, 7 Ole R. Miller, Adelaide Marin, the Emily Loring, and Henry T. Brown in Thoverson -- all in 1890; William Gus­ M.A. Norries, Gertrude Norrie, Mrs. '84. tafson and wife Alma, John Laughlin, W.F. Arnold, J.E. Hatlestad, F. Reyer, Lorenzo Miller and Nelson and Tisha By 1885 and up to 1890 the city had and Fred Davis. Hannah Miller. Frank Stainbrook, John been adopted by Charles Sawyer, Hein­ Letnes (Andover) -- all in '91; T.T. In these groups, and those that follow rich Risch, Peter Gothia, Gowen D. , , Morken ( 92) and Halvor Holte ( 93), were merchants of food, dry goods, ma­ Francis, Jerome Wheeler, Gus Barness , Medric Collin ( 92). chinery, jewelry, hardward, and cloth­ and Christopher Barness, Joseph Net­ ing; clergymen; a veterinarian, an zer all in '85. In 1895 came S.O. Bangen, Carl Moe, undertaker, surveyors, a photographer, George A. Ralph, Jules Boucher J.R. Kiewel, Michael O'Boyle, and butchers, hotel keepers, shoemakers, Sophia Kerber, who became Mrs. John (Lowell), Francis X. Farly, Ezra Elliot, bankers, farmers, saloon keepers, law­ Thomforde. J.e. Sathre arrived in 1896; Andrew Gilseth, M.F. Rosenthal, WaI­ yers, doctors, real estate salesmen, Gulbrand T. Hagen, Remi Marotte, ter J. Dewar, and Delphis and Eugenie grain dealers, railroad employees, edi­ Thomas Larson, Jacob and Charles Riopelle settled in 1886, and George tors, brewers, livery men, lumber Kiewel, and Nels E. Pederson (Euclid) Wilde, Henry and Bertha Krogman, workers, and a teacher or two. in '97. J.A. McCaffrey, the Elif Tellefson, and Others who came prior to or in 1880 Michael Wentzel (Euclid) in 1887. There were three more Kiewels here but for whom no definite dates could be in '98: John, Nicholous, and Peter, as In 1888 add the names of William L. found include: W.B. Hurlbut, Davis well as Olaf Hanson of Lowell township Vannet, William Sawyer, A.G. Ander­ Brower, Henry Watts, George Crocker, township. Henry Brault, Chris­ and Thomas Owens of Euclid W.J. Hartshorn, Loren Fletcher and son, A.A. Miller, 1899. O.J. Barnes, J.P. Julius Spokely moved here in G.W. Tanson. tian C. Strander, Foote, and Julius Thoversen. The '8gers Louis Fontaine, partner of W.S. By the early 1880's many more fami­ were Martin O'Brien, Ivan U1seth, and Anglim in a general merchandise store liar names appear intown records. C.H. the Ole Tellefsons. purchased from W.D. Bailey in 1878, Mix, A.J. Str�eter, Christian Saugstad, was an early Crookston merchant and a Sometime in the '80's came a large Halvor, Anrlrew, Elias. and Levi Steen­ charter member of St. Anne's Church. group of residents for whom there is no erson, A.M. . Sivertson, John He also had another claim to fame. His accurate date. These people include McKinnon, August C. Schmidt, Alex son, George, married Mrs. DeHaviland, Jack McLaren, Spencer Kimball, Jacob MacGregor, and C.O. Christianson, mother of Joan Fontaine and Olivia and Anna Kohler, Prof. Kimball, Henry William N. Samson (Fairfax), Robert E. DeHaviland. Olivia kept the name of her Stone, D.N. Taylor, D.H. Bates, Anson Smith and Lizzie Smith (Fairfax), father, but Joan adopted that of her Bancroft, D.A. Darley, B.F. Zwichey, Georgianna Sauve (Sylvestre), R.J. step-father, Fontaine. McGuire,. Paul Horton, Mrs. W.A. John Patterson, J.N. Milne, Rodney Lanctot, W.H. Malmberg, the Ed Smith, G. W. Banks, O. Viau, Archie David, and Tom McCleary, I. BQugie, Schraeders, Maude O'Boyle, and Mr. NUTE: The staH has spent many Dan Hughes, Samuel Currie, Jacob and Mrs. Andrew Abar. hours of research, talked to many indi­ Francis, Ellen Jane Kyle, Hannah viduals who are descendants of these Miller. and Louisa Dodds Miller. Up to 1885 these new citizens were early residents, and from our radio and welcomed. The dates of arrival are The popUlation had grown extensive­ newspaper requests received some in­ listed afterthei r names. R.J. Montague ly by the 90's -- in fact, it would be formation by mall. Records of early , ( 81); William McKenzie C81); Andrew impossible to name or even locate the Crookston are, at best, rather sketchy. Eicken ('81); Oscar and Mena Brustad your favorite ancestor Is not listed, we , , names of persons living here in that H ( 81); Albert O. Espe ( 81); and B.J. decade. A few, however, can be listed are sorry. We have had to confine our­ McLorinan, H.H. Holte, Mrs. I.W. here: William Anderson, John Free­ selves to the city of Crookston and town­ Kinder, the Carl Aarnesfamily, John F. berg, Emil Lundeen, W.H. Olds, Emil ships that are close-in. Boh, A. Munn, Mrs. C.H. Thomas, John Scully, Mrs. O.J. Volland, Mrs. J.B. Roy, and Andrew Anderson. In 1882 came John Anderson, Chris jfounbeb 1946 Eickhof and wife Johanna, and James Samsons, Richard Lehmann, James and John D. Dewar, Adolph O. Just, Wil­ liam A. Lanctot, William E. and Walter �ust �bJtllg01l anti Walker, Joseph Netzer, Alexander Dun­ lap, O.J. Volland, Thore H. Bang, Carl Riedesel, John A. Johnson, L.W. � 0 11 5 , 1111 C • Larsen, Anum Daniels, Roderick Smith, and Ed Erickson. Also the George Capsers, Mrs. Sam Rosenthal, John Fournet, Mrs. C.W. Vandermark, Gilbert Hage, William Olds, and the T.W. Nyvalls. ftort� Following in '83 were George Palmer, D.S. Bray, J.E. O'Brien, Ole H. Bang, John Heldstab, A.D. Stephens, Thomas 4tb anb fflain Casey, Oneseme Capistran (Lowell), Mr. and Mrs. P.H. Ramstad, Isaiah Sylvestre, Mr. and Mrs. Jens Aune, and GUST SWNESON & SONS Gust Swenson P.M. and H.J. Aune; and Mrs. J.F. Fournet, Mrs. O. Mercil Jr., Mrs.

8 No man probably had more impact on early Crookston than Edmund M. Nathan .P. Stone Hal v 0 r Steene rson Walsh who came here in 1872 as first At the age of 41, Nathan P. Stone Halvor Steenerson arrived in Crook­ postmaster. A popular citizen, he was arrived in Crookston and in 1879 esta­ ston in 1880 and within six months was entrusted with some public office dur­ blished himself as a merchant in the elected county attorney. Two years later ing most of his life. He was county audi­ farm implement trade. Nathan Stone he was elected State Senator and was tor, clerk of the district court, mayor, served as alderman on Crookston's city the youngest member of the Senate, first city council member, first school council for five terms, as a school board serving on the Judiciary Committee. board member. His trade was that of member and treasurer for two terms, When his term ended in 1887, he de­ tinsmith . His father was Thomas and was also a member of the charter voted himself to general practice, and Walsh, a Civil War veteran who came to commission of the city. In 1900 his two his reputation extended throughout the Grand Forks in 1870. sons, William M. and Walter P. Stone, Northwest. In 1901 he was elected to the joined their father in partnership and House of Representatives and was one Connecticut-born Henry Shephard, conducted the business under the name of the most dedicated congressmen in 1872 pioneer, was Crookston's first jus­ of N.P. Stone & Co. at 3rd and Main for areas of progressive legislation and tice of the peace. In 1882 he was elected over 7S years. liberal laws to aid pioneer settlers with constable and also held the post of cor­ their hardships. oner. A popular, respected man he was endorsed by Republicans, Democrats, W. G. Murphy and Thomas R. Walker and Prohibitionists. He was also com­ Two men associated with the history charge of the business affairs of the missioned as a deputy U.S. Marshal. of Minneapolis played major roles in the Minneapolis Tribune, which was in growth and development of Crookston. financial straits. Eventually he took Captain Ellery C.Davis, Crookston's complete control ofthe Tribune and was first mayor, was a captain in the army The first was W.G. Murphy, a law­ associated with it until his death.) during the Civil War. After the war he yer, who in 1880 began practicing in moved to this area in 1874, and home­ Grand Forks. Within a couple of years The second was Thomas B. Walker, a steaded in the part of the city now he took over the Grand Forks "Plain member of the United States surveying known as Davis Addition. The Davis Dealer" and made an influential news­ party. During his years in this work he home is located at 406 Grant St. paper out of it, as well as establishing a helped survey and divide into townships book bindery and job printing office. much of this region.With other men as A meeting was held on January 8, His next venture was taking control of partners he began purchasing large 1879. in the school house of the early the G.F. gas company (after selling the areas of pine on the headwaters of the settlement. Articles of incorporation newspaper), and this new field brought Red Lake and Clearwater rivers, begin­ were set up to create a town with a him to purchase the almost bankrupt ning in 1880. He and his son, Gilbert, municipal government. A charter was Crookston Water Works, Power, and then established mills at Crookston and approved. the townsite platted, and on Light Company in 1890. He rebuilt the Grand Forks. Walker became one of the M arch 18. 1879. Captain Davis was plant entirely in 1892. In 1898 he deci­ leading lumbermen of the U.S. Today elected as first mayor. fie later served ded to install a central station steam­ his name is associated with the famous as county commissioner. heated power plant and in 1912 con­ art center he established in Minneapo­ structed l1- dam and water power five lis. To Crookston he gave a thriving in­ miles east of town. (All this time he was Norbert Barrett, pioneer shoemaker, dustry which operated for about 13 Iiying in Minneapolis and coming here years and then was taken over by arrived in Crookston in 1876. He was a Shevlin-Carpenter, who ran it until late son-in-law of Joseph Beaudette, pioneer about once a month. In 1891 he had in the first decade of this century. of Gentilly. His shop, which he erected, planned to return to law practice in New York but he then was asked to take was located on Robert Street. He was also the owner of a farm, two houses, and a store building, all of which he rented. jfounbeb 1934 C.H. Mix, captain in the Minnesota Volunteer Cavalry, came to the city in 1879 as station agent for the St. Paul, Mpls. and Manitoba. Before settling here his career had included serving as Wnio 11 eil secretary to Gov. William Gorman, working as an Indian trader, and being commandant at Fort Abercrombie and ctrO. adjutant general at Fort Snelling. (({enex One of the city's famous sons was Charles Loring, who located here in I <100 at the age of 27 upon graduation �r obuct�J from law school and a brief interval as assistant to Judge Nye of Moorhead. For several yars he was associated with Halvor Steenerson and G.A. Young­ 1!}igbtuap quist. attorneys. In 1930 Loring was ap­ pointed a justice of the Minnesota Su­ 2 (fa�t preme Court. a post in which he served for many years.

9 Annie Colter Laschapelle Tom Morris

The male animal is predominant in all (raft) and to have settled in this portion Tom Morris - mayor of Crookston accounts of early life in Crookston. A of the valley. Annie was the widow of an and pioneer businessman. He formed a search through pages of history and army surgeon, a Dr. C.L. Vischar, who, partnership with W.W. Houghton and memoirs hardly turns up the name of upon his death, left her with money and established the first jewelry store in one female considered important property. This she managed well, at­ Crookston. Morris was involved in the enough to have her life and activities tending to her business herself, and development and rapid expansion of recorded, even though she may have battling her way in a man's world. Crookston and the formation of its first borne sixteen children, fought Indians, fire department in 1880, and served as plowed a quarter section, and shot buf­ firechief until 1883. He was state presi­ falo. In 1870 she married Pascal Lascha­ dent ofthe Fire Fighters Association. In pelle, and they moved to Ottertail Lake, 1881 he was elected alderman and in where she fmanced and he ran a grocery 1912, mayor. An example to the contrary, however, and liquor business. Here she held off is Annie Colter Laschapelle, one of the drunken Indians and white marauders earliest and pluckiest women settlers in and won the respect and friendship of Minnesota. She arrived in St. Paul from many Indians, who, on one occasion, New England in 1850. She was the first saved her life. woman to cross the Red Lake River Peter J. fide

In June, 1872, she and her husband Born in 1878 of early pioneer parents, and nephew (Richard Hussey) came to Peter J. Eide obtained his education at Crookston and opened a boarding house the public school and business college When Delphis and Eugenie for the railroad surveyors. After an in­ in Crookston. At the age of 24 he estab­ Riopelle first. homesteaded on terval of hotel-keeping in Fisher's Land­ lished one of the most successful ice their land three miles north of ing, she returned here and built the cream and confectionery stores in Crookston in 1878, little did they Lakeview Hotel, located where the old Crookston. In 1903 he became a private suspect that a portion of their armory now stands. It was called "Lake­ in Company I, Third Minnesota Nation­ property would one day be the view" because at the time there was a al Guard and in due time rose to the site of what is knownin Crookston small lake behind it. rank of Captain. He was instrumental in history as the Great Railroad the establishment of the Crookston Fight. The St. Paul and Pacific Armory through persistent effortsin the railway, (Great Northern) had a face of many discouragements and diffi­ line owned by J.J. Hill cutting Mrs. Laschapelle was the great aunt culties. through their property en route to of Robertand Everett Hussey. At 60 she Winnipeg and Grand Forks. Com­ owned a block and a quarterof the city, petition for Hill, however, was on plus six houses and two 160-acre farms. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• the way in 1880-90 when Henry Villard's Northern Pacific bought right of way for its route to the same destinations. On reaching the Riopelle property, it was nec­ essary to have the N.P. tracks A Dis graceful Affai r cross those of the G.N. And there NOTE: This story and headlIne, a drunken brute, as he passed, raised his the fight began. Workmen from rather obvious attempt at irony, is a whip and struck the horse the ladies both camps used picks, shovels, good example of a 19th century report­ were driving but fortunately did not axes, and the ever-ready fists in a er's fondness for personal comment in succeed in his nefarious attempt to battle that lasted several days. the news_ wreck the buggy. He then drove on very The knock-out stroke came when, slowly not allowing the ladies to pass One day last week as two ladies, the by bumping the G.N. engine, the until upon reaching the house of a wife and niece of a farmer living near N.P. locomotive was able to cross neighboring farmer, the ladies stopped the City, were driving home from the the G.N. tracks and the fight was for protection and the brave man (?) city in a buggy, they were overtaken by over. During this strange en­ drove on. What a grand and manly act two men in a lumber wagon drawn by a counter, Mrs. Riopelle served as was that for a great stout man to thus span of mules. Upon seeing the ladies, nurse. terrorize two defenceless women. The the driver whipped his mules into a run great cowardly brute who could so far but made no effort to tum out to pass The farm property is still in the forget what is due to manhood as to the buggy. The ladies turned out into same family, having been pur­ descend to do such an action deserves a the ditch to avoid a collision when this chased in 1938 by Rosaire term in state's prison until he can learn semblance of a man turned his team Boucher, grandson of the Rio­ how to act in a civilized community. toward them with the evident intention pelles, who has in tum recently That he was drunk is no excuse, for a of tipping their buggy over when one of sold it to his son, Deane. Of brave man, though drunk, would never course the G.N. and N.P are now the men in the wagon caught hold of the lines and turned the team in time to think of making war on defenseless joined in happy triangular wed­ women. lock with the Burlington as the prevent a collision. But so close did they Burlington-Northern. come that one of the mule's head struck FROM POLK COUNTY JOURNAL, one of the ladies. Seeing that he had May 1, 1890 - courtesy PolkCounty failed to collide with the buggy, the Museum

10 Ber nhar d Sampson-One of Earliest Homesteaders

Bernhard Sampson homesteaded a and Fisher, he and James J. Hill worked In 1878 Mr. Sampson served as first claim on June 12, 1872, for 275 acres closely together and from the first they­ clerk of district court for Polk County. In along the Red Lake River. On this land formed a lasting friendship that bene­ 1880 he was elected a member of the he erected a log cabin, topped offwith a fitted Crookston for many years. Some Minnesota State Legislature and in sod roof that was considered to be one of the 275 acres of land Sampson home­ 1885, to the State Senate. Working hard of the first in this part of the valley. steaded along the Red Lake River in to secure drainage in the area, he was After the sawmill was built in 1880, Mr. 1872 had been donated to the railroad publicly recognized for his efforts by Sampson built his family home to re­ for a road bed, which helped to alter the James J. Hill at the Farmers' Institute place the log cabin, setting it on a high railroad's plans for a road bed east of meeting, October 31, 1902, held to hill. It was the first place weary trave­ Crookston. Without the railroads in the achieve support on the drainage issue. lers saw as they approached from the late 1800's, Crookston would not have south. had the greater advantage over other surrounding small communities and, therefore, no real opportunity to flour­ Many Indians camped in the area and ish as it did. frequented the farm to observe the fam­ ily. Several attempts were made to burn Landmarks still on the original prop­ down the original log cabin dwelling. erty include, to name a few, Glenmore, Riverview Hospital, and Eugene Field School. He eventually owned approxi­ The Sampson home hosted the first mately 900 acres, all of which surround­ church services in the area and was the ed Crookston, except for 252 owned scene of baptism for the early settlers' near Lake Sarah and Union Lake. children. A charter was drawn up in the log cabin on June 7, 1874, creating the Red Lake River Evangelical Lutheran The Sampson dairy farm produced Church. This, and a group of other much of the milk supply for the growing Lutheran churches, eventually merged, community. (A later Sampson business becoming the forerunner of the present venture was the first flourmill in Crook­ Trinity Lutheran Church. ston in 1881.) When the Crookston Im­ provement Company was organized, Bernhard Sampson, a widely recog­ about 1880, Sampson was chosen presi­ nized successful businessman and Because Bernhard Sampson owned dent because of his community involve­ statesman , who homesteaded in 1872. railroad contracts in Ada, Crookston, ment. Sampson's Addition bears his name.

jfounbeb 1911 Wibman'� �bop 116 �outb 7iroabtuap

WidmanCandy Store 1920 Margaret Widman George Widman

11 TheBe l la Coola Sage Whether dancing should be permitted at occasional school Financial depression and the severe boarded the steamboat Princess Louise functions by the pupils in the high winter weather in 1894 created discon­ and went north to Bella Coola. There school was the subject of discus­ tent among the Norwegian farmers who some friendlyIndians transported them sion, and a matter of the moral had settled in the Crookston area. As a to shore in canoes. welfare of the community, at last result, the Rev. Christian Saugstad and evening's public meeting held at A. Stortroen were selected to go to the In November, 1895, the Saugstad the Armory. West coast to investigate a site for a family, including a married daughter, Over 700 citizens attended. new settlement. Pastor Saugstad was Mrs. S.O. Bangen and her seven child­ Arguments on both sides were minister of the United Norwegian Luth­ ren arrived. Mr. Bangen joined them on weighty and clothed with lofty eran Church in Crookston and Stort­ March 6, 1896, and served as photo­ sentiments. Conclusions reached roen, a parshioner. grapher for the colony. The Canadian by speakers on one side were that government opened a school in 1895, danger lurked behind the dreamy In British Columbia they visited the and the group built a church. waltz or seductive two-step to Bella Coola Valley, 400 miles north of drag down to perdition the budd­ Vancouver, an area which resembled Though many settlers left this area ing womanhood and manhood of Norway, from which many of the Red for Bella Coola, many also returned to our fair city. River Valley settlers had emigrated. Crookston to an easier way of making a The other viewpoint proposed The Canadian government, through the living than fishing, lumbering, and was that these pleasures if per­ Minister of Immigration, promised that roadbuilding. When Pastor Saugstad mitted in the schools, under su­ a part of this valley would be reserved died March 17, 1897, the Bangens and pervision, would preseve youth for these settlers if at least thirty fam­ their children came back to Crookston. from real dangers that might be ilies would come. They would build The sole survivor of the Bangen family, lurking elsewhere. One of the roads and give each family 160 acres who spent 18 months in Bella Coola as a clergy in attendance said no per­ free as a homestead. This offersounded child, is Mrs. A.E. Morck, now 90 years son could be a Christian and in­ attractive, and a colony was organized, old and a resident of Riverview Nursing dulge in dancing. with Saugstad as president and Peter Home. Charles Loring said he in­ Boukind as vice president. dulged in the practice since he In memory of the Crookston pioneer was knee-high-to-a-grasshopper, On October 17, 1894, the expedition and missionary, the Canadian govern­ and was still a Christian. of 83 men, women, and children left ment gave the name, Mt. Saugstad, to After the discussion, a rising Crookston for Winnipeg, traveled west the highest peak in the Rockies that is vote was taken. The count showed on the Canadian Pacific in two I?-rge visible from Bella Coola. Its height is 232 opposed and 213 in favor. sleeping cars, and arrived in Victoria on 10,000 feet. October 20. On October 27 the party

jfounbtb 1948

etto 31. ctEickbof & �on5

209 Jlortb 1flain

12 of frame, but frequently the old sod an occasional gift. H you were good, you Home is a shanty remained on the farm property might get a scrap for a doll dress. for some .Itilitarian purpose. Storehouse of About 1900 came the first hand­ In lOVl n the homes of the gentry be­ cranked wash machines - fun to oper­ came more and more elegant as the ate by the youngest kid for about two Memories family acquired wealth. Someone once minutes! (Before that time it was the said people in the Victorian era wash-board and two or three tubs for "couldn't leave a room alone". Win­ Mama.) It was common for houses to If one defines the word "home" dows were hung with heavy draperies by what it connotes, then "a shelter have cisterns to catch rain and provide plus lace curtains, always closed to keep softwater for laundry. that provides the usual residence of out the sun. Portieres with fringe and a person" is an empty definition in­ tassels were hung in doorways. Anti­ At housecleaning time everything deed. For home is a storehouse of macassars and tidies were draped on was in an upheaval as the mother and memories, happy and sad, of fam­ chairs, and doilies and fancy cloths on willing or unwilling aides scoured the ily, of celebrations, foods, sounds, tables. Every available spot, plus a place. Rugs of all sizes were taken out odors, feelings - even furnishings whatnot, had a collection of knicknacks. and whacked vigorously with an imple­ and clothing. House can be a Wallpaper was generally pretty garish. ment called a carpet beater. Mattresses shanty, a log cabin, a boxy, gabled Pictures were suspended on wires near received the same treatment. Floors frame house, a small upstairs a­ the ceiling. Usually there was a grama­ were scrubbed, as were cupboards and partment, or a brick mansion on a phone with a horn and maybe a piano or all their contents. Curtains were washed fashionable street, provided the pump organ. and then put on a fingerpricker called a recollections are warm and loving. stretcher where they were dried in a There is an old pioneer ballad about a Tb e large kitchen, however, was a warm spot out of the sun. Men usually sodbuster on the western prairies which horror of inconvenience with its huge spent long hours away from home when describes the first type of home con­ wood or coal range, cast iron sink that this earthquake took place. structed by the settler in this valley. never looked clean, its oak ice chest ser­ viced every day or two by the iceman, Many Crookston homes had porches ''The hinges are of leather and the who dripped water and sawdust from where you sat in the hammock or on a windows have no glass. While the board the cakes of ice onto the floor that you'd chair and watched the neighbors. May­ roof lets the howling blizzards in . And iust scrubbed. Milk was delivered from be you shelled peas or cut up beans or I hear the hungry Kiyote (sic) as he ga llon containers and transferred by the crocheted. If Papa was a real sport slinks up through the grass. milkman with pint and quart measures about spending money, the porch was Round my little old sod shanty on my to the housewives' bowls or pitchers. (A no doubt screened so that he could claim. " bowl was best because there was r1lore spend his evenings there reading the top surface on which the cream could �aper without being chewed by mosqui­ The fastest way to get a good house rise and be skimmed off.) Of course, toes. when you arrived was to dig a cellar, there was no pasteurization. ' then pile slices of turf around the cellar Most designs for houses in the SO's line. Wooden crosspoles held up the No house was complete without the and 90's came from pattern books or walls and the elm bark and sod roof that ubiquitous "Rag Bag". Every well­ from the ideas of local carpenters and you put on last. If you were tall, you had ordered family had one in more thrifty builders. By the early 1900's stucco was a high ceiling; if you were short, a low days. Since every scrap of materia! and popular as an outside finish, as were one. Where you had plenty of timber, all serviceable old clothes were saved, bungalows and box-style two-story you could build a log cabin and chink it sometimes out of necessity, there was houses. Crookston residences were with mud and moss. The bark-sod roof always a source of supply for the crea­ generally of wood and stucco, with a few with the crosspoles was common on tion of "made-over" clothing and even (Continued on Page 14) these cabins too. Logs were about 8 inches in diameter at the top. Each end of the log had a notch cut half way into it and these were laid on top of each other with the upper side being hewed into shape to fit into the notch of the other. The dwelling had a door and one win­ dow. Three beams, the walls and sides constituted the rest of the structure on which the elm bark roofing was placed. Sizes of early pioneer dwellings varied from 10 x 12 to 16 x 24. The floors were dirt or pianks. Sometimes straw was spread for warmth and strips of carpet­ ing for extra elegance if there was a woman around.

The rough unpeeled log walls in cabins grew unattractive to the women in time, and they sometimes covered them with muslin and then a coat of whitewash.

Usually it wasn't too many years be­ fore a real house could be built, usually One of the town's first residences - log cabin of Robert Houston. 13 (Continued from Page 13) brick homes like the former E.C. Davis residence at 406 Grant Street (now owned by Keith Ramberg), the bricks for which were manufactured on the place. You'll fmd examples of all these types if you tour the older residential sections of town.

Certainly there was no over­ population in Crookston in the 1870's because of a baby boom. But there are records, both veri­ fied by the individuals them­ selves, of the births of the two firstwhite children.

The first to open her eyes here was Anna I. Gembe, (born 1874), The E. W. Eagle home at 508 Holly was formerly the home of Dr. O.E. locken in the a daughter of F.M. and Josephine early 1900's. Ricklake Gembe. In 1901 Anna married William Walsh, son of The general store. All small towns Fontaine and Anglim started their Edmund and Emma Walsh. She had them, and Crookston was no excep­ general store in a rough log building in and Will were living in Seattle in tion. There you could buy everything 1878, a business they purchased from 1954 when she sent this informa­ from yard goods to horse collars. Many W.D. Bailey. After two years they tion to her former parish, Christ called themselves "department" erected a brick building and then in a Episcopal Church. stores, even though each department short time added two more rooms so might be only a counter or two. They they had three fronts. The second white baby was a sold groceries, household items, hard­ boy. Charles Wood strom , (born ware, crockery, shoes, ready-to-wear Next to the general store, inhabitants 1879), whose birthplace was up­ clothing for men, women, and children, were enamored of the post office. stairs in an apartment in a build­ dry goods, meats, and fresh fruits and Everyone visited at least once a day, ing where Erickson's Meat Mar­ vegetables in season. For large quantity for, whether you got any mail or not, ket now stands. He was a son of buying. especially for people living out you found buddies to chat with and you Nels Woodstrom. This informa­ in the country, mail order houses like could catch up on all the gossip. In tion comes from a shortbiography Montgomery-Ward and Sears-Roebuck, 1872-3, Walsh says mail seldom got to which he wrote. and the large wholesale houses in St. the boxes because people waylaid the Paul and Minneapolis provided supplies postmaster as he came back to the post if your credit was good and rural free office after meeting the stage or the delivery was available. train.

No fast food Establishments

Almost all food was grown locally be­ "White" bread was not very white. Meats were oftenmade into pies. cause of difficulty of transporting per­ Cornbread was eaten every day when ishables over long distances, and food meal could be obtained. Baking powder White and sweet potatoes were com­ was prepared at home. There was an biscuits and soda biscuits were popular mon items. Onions, turnips and carrots absence of fresh fruit and vegetables in and could be turned out quickly if com­ could be kept in root cellars over the the winter. Home preserves were the pany came unexpectedly. Salt-rising winter. Greens were eaten in season, as main source of food during winter bread was often made. Crackers were well as sweet com . Beans and peas months. Since sugar was difficult to ob­ obtainable and eaten with cheese. were dried for out OJ season use. tain. sweetening usually consisted of molasses. honey and maple or brown Butter was also homemade, served in Pies were favorites: apple, mince and sugar. a generous pat, often having a figure pumpkin. Dark cakes were made more stamped on the top with a wooden mold. often than light ones. Applesauce cake Coffee was common but was often with cinnamon, molasses cakes and adulterated with such substitutes as Fresh meat was available if an animal spice cake with raisins were often bu rned corn . burned bread crusts. or had just been killed or if the weather baked. burncd barley. Tea was common and was cold enough to freeze it. Otherwise, was uscd with milk rather than lemon. it had to be dried, salted or smoked. Other form!>of sweets included dried Apple cider was a frequent beverage Game was plentiful even in the town's fruits, molasses candy, hard candies, consumed. food stores. Examples of meats avail­ maple sugar chunks, raisins, jams, able : rabbit. venison . prairie chicken, jellies, and freshfruits in season. Bread was coarse and brown. wild geese. and sometimes beaver.

14 Homemaking Skills of Early Pioneers

When the very first people who moved into what is Crookston today, what do you suppose they discovered? If they came in the spring they found lush green trees, shrubs, wild flowers in a completely wild and roadless area. This healthy growth of plants indicated a very fertile soil on which to begin a new life. The river winding through the for­ est promised not only an abundance of water but a route for boat travel as well. The abundance of wild game, deer, moose, elk, rabbits, waterfowl and fish must indeed have looked promising as a place to build a home.

Let's suppose this particular new­ comer to the area came by covered wagon, drawn by a team of plodding oxen. A cow and calf, perhaps a couple of sheep, a pig, and a few chickens, along with some tools and )-.ousehold What a family tree this adds up to. Scene is a reunion sometime around 1898. utensils filledthe wagon to overflowing. The animals, of course, trailed on be­ Fresh fruit in season must have really the implement used for rubbing the hind the slow moving home on wheels. been a treat. The edges of the forest and soiled clothes after a bar of homemade A supply of such staples as flour, sugar, the open areas had an abundance of soap had been rubbed over the board. salt, dried fruits, peas and beans, salt wild strawberries in late June and early This scrubbing of the soiled clothing pork to last for some time were a must, July. Then came wild raspberries, lasted for a good part of the day. The for the nearest source of such supplies which continued to ripen every other heating of water was a continuous pro­ .vas many miles away and there was· no day for some weeks in July. Juneberries cess, since the water must be emptied means of transportation except foot also hung heavy on the bushes in July. fromthe tub and replaced with freshhot power. Later in the summer wild gooseberries, water from the boiler. Next came the blackberries, and black currants were clothes rinsing. This was accomplished Very likely it took that whole first not hard to find if one didn't mind by swishing the clothes up and down in summer to cut the logs and build that traipsing through the tangled under­ the warm water to remove the harsh first small log house. Planks laid on brush. Finally in late fall the wild soap and dirty water from the washing blocks cut from logs served as chairs an grapes, the luscious juicy wild plums, process. Generally two or three rinses more planks made a table. Very likely a and highbush cranberries were ripe. were necessary! While all this was go­ small stove for cooking was a part of the These delicious fresh fruits provided ing on, the stove must be kept fed with covered wagon's contents. desserts fit for a king all summer long. wood, dirty water carried out and Unfortunately, there was as yet no way emptied, and clean water replenished. Let's say the enthusiastic and ener· to preserve them for winter use. That getic young couple with their two child­ must come later when the wife has Rope clotheslines hung between trees ren have now moved their belongings learned how to dry the fruitor when she to take care of the drying. In summer into the new log cabin. Their very first could buy jars for canning. this took little time except on rainy necesity is water. This they carry in days. In winter it was a very different buckets up from the river. How much When night came, where did they story. The clothes soon froze stiff and water? Enough for cooking, washing, sleep? Very likely on the dirt floor must be carried indoors and again hung and some to water chickens, pigs, and where dried grasses or hay cushioned up to dry. Fabrics were either cotton, sheep. The oxen and cow can be led the quilts they had brought. Discomfort linen, or wool and all outerwear must be down to the water's edge for their daily was endured by this courageous family sprinkled, rolled up, and put aside for drink. at first while the hope of better things to the next day's ironing. come buoyed their spirits. Eventually Now that the family has a shelter, too , ways to control and eliminate mos­ Heavy cast iron was the material used they no longer need to continue cooking quitoes and flies would come. Soon for flat irons, which generally came in over a campfire, which they had done on regular household chores would become sets of three. These were placed on top their long journey and during the build­ routine. of the wood-burning stove and ex­ ing of the cabin. Real homemaking now changed for a hot one as soon as they begins indoors. Very likely the very first Washday was one of the routines. It cooled. The fire had to be kept fed with meal consisted of pancakes, for by now went something like this: first cut-wood wood until the tedious task was done. their supply of breads is nearly exhaust­ must be brought in to keep the fire in More than likely a kettle of meat was ed. The meat could well be partridge, the stove while the water brought up in kept simmering on the back of the stove rabbit, or wild duck. By this time the buckets from the river was heated in the as the irons were kept hot. Maybe too, a husband has found time to do some standard copper washboiler. Next the big crock of beans was baking in the hunting nearby. Venison must come hot water in the boiler was dipped out oven. later because there is no way to keep a by bucket and poured into the wooden large amount of fresh meat. wash tub. A corrugated washboard was (Continued on Page 16)

15 (Continued from Page 15) Bread-baking, an important part of homemaking, was generally a weekly event, with ten or twelve loaves baked at one time. A yeast starter, originally brought in the covered wagon, had to be kept alive by starting a new batch from time to time. To a small amount of this starter was added water, salt, and flour on the evening before baking. This mix­ ture was placed in a warm spot, cover­ ed, and left over night. The next day it was added to the other ingredients to make the bread. The bread was baked in large black breadpans which held from 4 to 6 loaves. The aroma emanat­ ing from the oven was as tantalizing then as it is today.

Milk from the cow was left to stand long enough for the cream to rise to the top and then skimmed off and saved If you lived in town, one of your regular callers was the bread man. Here he is on Second until a gallon or two could be placed in Street across from the Grand. the churn. Stomping this dasher up and down until butter formed took anywhere a feather-tick to be used on the bed. By moved into the farming areas of the from an hour to what seemed an eter­ now there was, no doubt, enough hay to county. The primitive kind of living de­ nity. Fresh butter spread on freshly make a mattress to sleep on. A large scribed was similar for most of the ear­ baked bread and served with buttermilk bag resembling an oversized pillow case liest settlers the first few years. They was ambrosia indeed. was used as a m"attress afterbeing filled must first of all build a home and then with hay. By now a loft in the log cabin provide a means of support for the fam­ The wool sheared from the sheep last had been fashioned for a place for the ily. Now Crookston has grown to a pros­ spring must now be very gently washed, children to sleep come winter. perous small city with lovely homes, dried and carded for either the making lighted streets, and bustling business of yarn for next winter's mittens or a Roughly twenty-five years after the establishments lining the streets up­ wool quilt. Feathers from the game first settler arrived, seeking free land, town. All but forgotten are the primitive birds were all saved for pillows. Maybe five thousand people had settled in log cabins of those very first settlers. there would soon be enough feathers for Crookston, with thousands more having

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16 Home fashions By Mme. Dem orest Back in the days when Crookston was young all prominent citizens It 's Spring, 1879. When it comes to taffeta; again you must add ruffles or (males, of course, women were making fashion news - and who flounces in tiers. Much fullness is seldom mentioned) were "solid" , doesn't want to be a headliner - here's gathered to the back. "substantial", "respected", the newest, a full-skirted day-time frock "honored". "Sterling" was a fa­ of etamine with sloping shoulders and Your hair? Part it in the middle, draw vorite adjective, too: "sterling in­ tight fitted, boned bodice. The new sil­ it smoothly down on the sides, and tegrity", "sterling manhood". houette is bell-shaped and worn over a make dainty ringlets over the ears. If Theycould also be "pUblic-spirit­ crinoline. The bodice is pointed in front, they suit your facial contour, cut small, ed and progressive", and if you fits neatly over the belt of the skirt, and fluffy bangs. The back should be styled belonged to a political party, you is trimmed with a row of small fancy with curls. If you prefer braids, coil were either a "staunch Republi­ buttons. Sleeves this spring are either them around the head and hold them in can" or a "staunch Democrat", three-quarter and wide at the bottom place with a silk net. It is fashionable to but always "staunch". No nam­ with lace rufflesor braid or gathered at use an ornate back comb for dressy by-pamby Independents in our shoulder and wrist and puffed at the occasions. town I A good speaker was "a bottom. leading forensic light", by the The children? Little ladies, which way. Would your candidate have For street wear, a bonnet is essential, they must be, also wear the popular that quality? a small one framing the face and worn flounces and ruffles adopted by their far back on the head. Flowers trim the mothers. Skirts are well below the knee. You didn't just "die" in the inside of the brim. Some fashion de­ Practical fabrics are best for their 1880's - "The Death Angel sum­ signers are pushing ostrich feathers and frocks, although there should be at least moned" you away. Of course, be­ ' lace ruffles, but limit yourself as to dec­ one dainty dress in white or pastefior a fore this happend you had been oration. The bonnet should be tied birthday party or SundQy School. Long "united in marriage" or "as­ under the chin with a bright ribbon that black stockings and button or laced sumed the yoke of matrimony" harmonizes or complements the frock. 'high shoes are suitable. Tennis shoes and "the union had been bless­ are high and laced and for play only. Be ed" with anynumber of children. The most stylish shoes are high but­ sure your daughter has a ferris waist or ton, with laced shoes second. Stockings garter belt to keep her stockings One "worthy disciple o� Hip­ should be black lisle. straight and smooth. Pig tails and hair pocrates and Galen" came to the ribbons are best for little girls' hair. "small village of Crookston" For home-wear a simple gingham, where "his sagacity had discov­ calico, or muslin dress with flounces or The boys should wear knee length ered the germ of its future size rurtles, very full and tight-waisted is knickers this season, accompanied by and thrift". That smart medic preferred. The blouse may be enhanced black stockings and high black shoes. knew a good place to practice with a lacy bertha if it buttons in the Shirts can have simple sailor collars or when he saw it! He had been back. Otherwise a jabot is good. Several bertha-type ruffles around the neck. graduated from "a celebrated petticoats are essential. Cuffs are wide and stiffly starched. and noble institution oflea rning" Hair: short and neatly combed. just the year before. For sports we recommend simple high-necked white shirtwaists and In discussing the education of a heavy black cotton full skirts, ankle certain professional man, the length. For the beach, of course, the writer says: " ....the foundation of bathing suit must be modest. At least his education was laid in the com­ four yards of material will be needed for mon schoolsof the district, 'those the long-sleeved suit and over-skirt. rough cradles of learning, to Never go bathing without your corset whose halcyon walls the memory and long stockings. Canvas bathing of so many of our eminent men shoes are desirable. revertin fond remembrance'."

A proper evening dress can be Many had "crossed the wide created from bombazine or velvet over ocean" to settle here, but one man "showed the rugged inde­ pendence of his New England heritage". Another bragged in his biography he was "a direct LaPlante's descendant of pure Puritan stock that planted on 'the wild New Shoe Hospital England shore' the banner of re­ ligious and civil liberty, the germ of this great republic." 110 West Did you know that there Is a ltobert Street town in Scotland, a suburb of Glasgow, named Crookston? It Is famous for Its castle, [also called Founded Crookston). originally built in the 1937 Twelfth Century. Typical streetwear ofthe early 1900's.

17 Gracefu l Form, HEALTH

Perfectl, Combined In MADA FOY'S Skirt Supporting Corset

LADIES Who Value a Refined Complexion MUST USE PDllDNI'S MEDICATED These belles, Em, Tillie, and Olive, are modeling their newest costumes. Very attrac­ COMPLEXION tive, girls. POWDER.

Railroad engineer Duke Jewell and his wife. about 1901. Their daughter. a tele­ phone operator was married to John Boh. a postal worker with many years of service in Crookston. A typical womt:n's appearl shop in early 1900's. 18 If you took any wooden nickels August 8-14 in 1954 at the town's 75th anniversary celebration, the tokens were not counterfeit coins meant to fleece you. They were produced to honor the last survi­ ving area pioneer, who spent his last years in Crookston and died here at the age of95. The man so honored was Esten Estenson, who first settled in the Valley, north of Climax, 108 years ago.

The "nickels", which are not round but rectangular, are stamped with Estenson's picture, They were redeemable in trade at any business place in the city until noon on August 11, 1954. Mr. Estenson walked the whole distance at the age of 94 in the Diamond Jubilee parade during the festivities.

The Estenson family have all been generous with gifts and arti­ facts to the Polk County Historical Society. Ever wonder wbat some of these women's clubs do?? The American Library Association gives the Federation of Women's Clubs credit for estabUsbment of 75 percent of tbe Ubrarles In tbe United States. Eat your heart out, girls. He married her in 1901.

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Joseph A. Houske 1890-1968

Glenn Houske Jorgen A. [Tony] Nokleberg Owner 1953-1977 Owner 1978- 1929-1979

19 Founded IS54

American Crystal Sugar Co. Taking a family portrait was a sobering business in 1889.

NOTE: Newspap�rs a century ago, The sheriff was a very prominent especially in the small town, were fre­ man. very popular with his people, a quently written in flowery language and very large hearted man, generous to a steeped in the reporter's personal opin­ fault. He leaves a wife and eight child­ ions. This obituary of a Crookston citi­ ren to mourn the loss of a kind father zen, with name deleted, is typical. and affectionate husband. He was a strong. rugged man, apparently the pic­ Highway 75 South ture of health and yet suddenly and al­ most without warning he was cut down POLK COUNTY JOURNAL - May 15, in the prime of life, illustrating how true 1890 [courtesy Polk CountyMuseum] it is that in life we are in death - how SUDDEN DEATH thin the veil that separates time from eternity. On Thursday morning of last week the sheriff returned from a trip to the Thirteen Towns and at once went to bed -- a very sick man. The doctor was sum­ moned who did all that he could for him and on Saturday a physician was sum­ moned from Grand Forks but to no avail. He continued to grow steadily worse and passed away about one ' o clock on Sundav." His disease was in­ flammation of the bowels complicated by heartfa ilure. He was conscious up to within two hours of death and talked calmly and naturally with his friends. On Monday a large concourse of his friends and neighbors gathered at the Church on Ash Street to pay the last sad tribute of respect. Services were con­ ducted by the Rev. C. Saugstad, assist­ ed by the Rev. C.F. Sharpe.

Before he died, the deceased request­ ed his friends to bury him on the old farm. and in accordance with that wish Ladies, is this becoming conduct for the body was taken to his old home on women your age? The "athletic" event Tuesday morning. is at Demarais Grove in 1899. 20 • Crookston Incor porat ed tn 181 9

Anytime you find people In groups Ina single area and living In dwellings side by side you have a village, or town, or city, depending on how thickly populated. This situ­ ation calls for regulatory supervi­ sion and measures for the common good, and you call the supervision, government, and the measurers, services. These services call for funds and those funds come from taxes . [Everyone knows what those are]. So in 1879, when Crookston was incorporated as a city, a government was set up legally, and the public services were officially organized and plans adopted to pay for them.

EARLY CROOKSTON GOVERNMENT By Harold Thomforde

Until 1879 Crookston had no official Polk County Court House personnel, about 1905, were (1 to r, front row) Mamie Malone municipal government, and though (Mrs. H.J. Welte), Minnie Boe, (unknown), Ida Qapp (Mrs. Ray Young). The little boy most of the citizens were an earnest, in foreground is unidentified. Second row: N.A. Hoffard (auitor), Ruby Burkhardt, law-abiding lot, the town, like any other (deputy sheriff), Hans Waage, James Hanson, J.H. Stair, John Ofstad Ganitor). Back frontier town, had its quota of drifters, row: (unknown), Will Vannet, George Flatten (treasurer), Judge Watts, Henry Welte, gamblers. drunks and the like. Thomas Casey (supt. of schools), T. T. Morken Gudge of probate). As we read of those early days going appointed Thomas Harris in his place. the establishment of a "pest house", back into the late 1870's, we learn that the old name for a detention hospital for while there was no organized local gov­ They also named W.F. Arnold as city contagion. Fate had sent the town of 987 ernment there was actually an unoffical engineer; Croke and Sargent were the a case of smallpox, a dread disease in government. We find in those early day justices. those days before anti-toxins. By the readings that a stockade was built not Though the council's first plans were end of 1879 the little town had some long after people started to settle in this graded streets, a jail and other new area. Seemingly drunkenness was one concerned with building a jail, actually buildings, a few plank sidewalks, of the major problems that had to be their initial piece of business had to be thanks to this first council. contended with. It seems apparent after their stay in the stockade for sobering. they were told to be on their way when released.

The initial step toward incorporation into a town took place at a mass meeting in the school house January 8, 1879, with Frank Ives, William Watts, J.D. Ball, and C. Greenhalgh signing notice of the meeting: The committee named to draft a city charter was composed of Ives, William Ross, L. Fontaine, H.G. Palmer, Wm. Box, E.C. Davis, and Watts. About a month later the charter was approved. the townsite platted, and the "Queen City". as it was then dubbed, was ready for its first muniCi­ pal election.

Nominated by caucus (called corkus by the old timers) on March 18, 1879, the city officers chosen by the people on April 1 were E.C. Davis, mayor; D. Jacobus, E.M. Walsh, A. Yvemault, K.D. Snyder, alderman; W. Norcross, marshal; P.B. Snyder, street commis­ Muddy streets with board walks, sidewalks made of wooden planks ...the good old sioner; W.D. Hurlbut, assessor. When days??? The old City Hall, Fletcher and South Broadway, was built in 1899 at an Hurlbut failed to qualify, the council approximate cost of 516,000.

21 While not related to the government It is rather odd how those early re­ of Crookston, it may be interesting to cords of Crookston and city government give some details on how Crookston was seemed to ignore women in thedevelop­ named. That Crookston should be ment of our city . We are sure that wo­ named for a rugged soldier, railroad men in those days, just as in this day, builder, and pathfinder, is appropriate. were v� important in building and try­ According to the late Judge Watts , the ing to keep everything in balance. name was given to the postoffice (pre­ viously called Hawley), then to the We should list . few of those early township; and finally to the city. When settlers that had a hand in shaping the the time came to choose a suitable ap­ future of our city. pellation, naturally there were numer­ ous suggestions. The names of Ames Bernhard Sampson seemed to be in­ and Aetna were both proffered, as well terested in many things, city govern­ as Crooksbury. An unauthenticated ment, Crookston Improvement Associ&.­ story about the christening says one fac­ tion, and operator of the Crookston tion thought the town should be named RoHer Mill, one of the better ones in the in honor of Crooks and the other valley. His business could tum out 250 thought it should carry the surname of barrels of flour per day. Sampson also the first mayor, a railroad surveyor, Mr. served as clerk of court, state represen­ Davis. While this has not and possibly tative, state senator, and school board cannot be documented, the two are said member. to have flipped a coin to see which could be honored by having the town named Capt. Ellery Davis, elected Crookston 's Charles Spendley, from the time of after him. It 's evident who won the flip. first mayor on March 18, 1879. his arrival in 1872, held many civic of­ fices. Dr. C.E. Dampier, one of the first Col. Crooks was the son of Ramsey This writer, some years ago, had the surgeons and physicians, was active in Crooks, who was associated with John honor of talking with Col. Crooks ' government. Louis Gonyea was the Jacob Ailtor in fur trading. His mother daughter. Through radio station KROX, chief of police and later sheriff. was the daughter of an early fur trader. the daughter was located in a rest home He came to Minnesota in 1857 as an in Wisconsin. The radio station asked We spent considerable time going assistant engineer with the Minnesota me to interview her, that interview to be through the records in the City Clerk's and Pacific Railroad. He was chief engi­ broadcast over KROX and then to be office, and for the remainder of this arti· neer from 1859 to 1862. In 1861 he pur­ saved for posterity. I had a visit with her cle my purpose will be to give informa­ chased in New Jersey the first locomo­ over the telephone, and our conversa­ tion as taken from the records. As we tive used in Minnesota. This famous old tion was taped. She, however, had a have stated , the first election was held engine was named "Wm. Crooks" in very weak voice and it was nearly im­ in 1879. There were two candidates for his honor. Later it was placed on display possible to get that recorded strongly mayor, E.C. Davis, who was the winner at the St. Paul Depot. It is now in enough to be of much value. At that with 82 votes, and F. Ives, with 55 Duluth. time she told me that she remembered votes. Councilmen elected were D. Crookston and that she hoped to visit Jacobs, E.M. Walsh and A. Yvermault. here the following year. I confirmed our Justice of Peace was John Lev.; Wm . conversation with her by mail, but I Norcross, marshal; and W.D. Hurlburt, never heard anything further. city recorder.

Ellery C. Davis, the city's first mayor, was a captain in the Civil War and one of Crookston's first settlers. Educated in the East as a civil engineer, Mr . Davis came to Crookston in the interests of the Northern Pacific railroad. When the county was organized in 1872, he was chosen first chairman of the Board Bagen nealt y of County Commissioners.

2nd and Main BUILDING CENTER

311 Korth Broadway Founded lSBB Founded 1884 Who else but Col . William Crooks in his regimental gear ...1862.

22 The name of "Norcross" was of inter­ florist shop in our city, and son, Bob, is est to me becaus.e we have an addition also a court reporter. in the northeast section of our city by that name. If my memory serves me Some new names again appeared as correctly, the name was chosen as the city officials including Halvor Steener­ developer of that area was a Mt. Nor­ son, Ed Charboneau, J.H. Lakes, John cross, undoubtably a relative of that McLean, and "Old" Bang. As we go early city official. In going through the through the minutes, we do find on oc­ business minutes of the City Council we casion last names preceded by "Old, found one item allowed, "$2.30 for Young, Limpy" and other informal spitoons to C. C. Utzinger." titles.

On April 6th , 1886, two former may­ As we read the minutes it seems that ors ran for office of mayor again: E.C. the term of office under that original Daivs, who won with 584, votes, and charter was for only one year. Mayor E.M. Walsh with 282 votes. Again new Davis served until April 9, 1882. At that names appeared in the city records, time a Mr. A. Allen was elected mayor. names that are still active in our com­ Councilmen elected were John Moses munity, and we would guess direct rela­ and Isadore Fortier. New names enter­ tives of these early builders of the com­ ed into the picture at this time, with munity - such names as Felix Fournet, Wm. Ro ss being elected city treasurer. C.S. Spendley, George Becker, and Other new names were F.C. Shapleigh Frank Jerome. The name of Frank as justice of peace and Henry Shephard Mayor M.R. Brown, 1896-1899. Jerome was of particular interest be­ constable. cause we have an addition of our city called, "Jerome's Addition", and if my On April 8, 1885, R.J. Montague was memory serves me correctly, this is the chosen mayor. This is the first time we man it was named after. found that name in the city records, but In 1883 Wm. Stewart was elected of course that name is well known in our mayor, and as we read the minutes of community and has been since 1879. In On April 12, 1887, W.D. Hurlbut be­ this period no major things happened, fact one of our district judges was Jim came mayor, and, of course, we have a good or bad. In 1884 E.M. Walsh was Montague. Previous to that he served as street named after him. A name, com­ elected mayor servingfor one year. This county attorney. His son "Bud" was a mon to our city for many years entered name for many years was tied into the court reporter in our community for into the city records for the first time, progress and development of our com· many years for Judges Sylvestre and W.E. McKenzie. He was awarded a bid munity. Swenson. Bud's son, Bill, operates a for some printing.

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23 Some of the prominent names coming into the picture duringthe next dozenor so years were those of J.J. Flynn, J.J. Padden, Joe Linster, Otto Eickhof, Carl Emmerich, R. T. McCulla, E.E. Turn­ quist, Sherm Daniels, and Harry Ness. One name that needs special mention is that of George Widman, who was an alderman for many years. It was my good fortune to have served with him for some years, and he has a solid place in my mind as one of the outstanding Crookston public officials.

William Kirkwood was mayor in the 1940's and he was much interested in airport construction and development. Our local airport carries his name. Dr. M.O. Oppegaard followed as mayor. Mayor Oppegaard was opposed to municipal liquor stores. He made it his Why all these men are posed here on the Polk County Court House steps is obscure. goal to eliminate the municipal stores in Man #4 in the middle row resembles Judge Watts, but what the others are doing there is our city and have private liquor estab­ lost in the annals of history. lishments, and few will argue now, 2S years later, that this was not a good decision by our local citizens. In 1889 James D. Lilley was mayor, McKinnon - 1910, H.L. Larson - 1912, and he was succeeded in 1890 by Alex Thomas Morris - 1914, H.W. Misner · McKinnon. The McKinnon name has 1915, James E. Norrisey - 1917, F.A. been a Crookston name ever since and Grady - 1920, Charles P. Booth - to this day. It was interesting to see the 1922, and N.A. Bray - 1924. wages that city employees were paid in those days. The chief of police received The period around 1930 started slow $60 per month. There were two police because of the great depression, but we officers, each of whom were paid $SS do find that many of the city's top busi­ monthly. The city attorney and city ness people became more active in city treasurer got $300 per year, and the city government. Dr. O.E. Locken was'elect­ clerk $400. ed mayor and Bergetta M. Loken was the city clerk. Miss Lokenserved as city As we read the minutes from the clerk for some years. Actually it was a 1890's we discovered more activity. pleasure to study this period for the New names with which many are minutes in the record books were now acquainted started to get into the rec­ being typed in place of hand written, ords: J.E. O'Brien, M.E. Kirsch, John and I found some good and some bad Cromb, A.C. Schmidt, C.H. Mix. going through the long history of our city. Miss Loken's minutes are beautiful records. In 1892 Wm. Anglim was elected City Clerk - W.A. Lanctot. mayor and was active in many civic af­ fairs. The name of c.c. Hoch entered into the records at this time. Hoch was the grandfather of Bill Reynolds.

For the next few years the records show: A.D. Stephens elected mayor 1893, John Cromb, 1894, John R. McKinnon, 189S, M.R. Brown, 1896, and Andrew Stephens, 1899.

In April, 1900, Nate Campbell was mayor. Apparently that period from 1900 for the next dozen years was quite an active period. Thesaw mill came into our city and continued for several years. While operating, it added much to the economy, for at peak periods several hundred men were employed.

During the following years, mayors elected were: Charles A. Hitchcock- 1902, G.L. Chesterman - 1904, C.H. Mix - 1905, G.L. Chesterman - 1906, J.D. McPhee - Sept. 26, 1906, A.J. Oerk of CourtJohn Vig - 189S-1898.

24 :

Taking a back seat in the early 1900's to the imposing new court house structure on the John Gleason, County Auditor, 1895- left,the old court house (center), built in 1881, and the adjacent jail, seem miniature in 1900. comparison. The newer structure in the photo was demolished and replaced with a modern court house in 1968.

Harold Thomforde followed Oppe­ fered for a lack offaith in its growth and gaard as mayor and served most of the future. This soon was replaced with a 1950's. During this period there was a feeling that this was a progressive com­ great deal of highway development in munity and it was up to the citizens to and around Crookston. These were also keep it that way. Since late 1960's our the years that American Crystal Sugar community has had good growth. We Company, after many meetings, de­ have had good highw�s and transpor­ cided they would construct a refinery in tation development. The J.R. Simplot our city. This was dedicated in 1955. Potato Co. became a part of our com­ munity, as did Dahlgren and Co. The Harold Thomforde was followed as Northwest School of Agriculture be­ mayor by A.E. Myrold, Bill Nimens, came a branch of the University of H.V. Sommer, Olaf C. Soine, Lloyd Minnesota with a technical college. Hughes, Harold Thomforde for 12 With the help of government grants, years and Don Osborne. Crookston has developed a fine Indus­ trial Park, which has become the loca­ The late 1950's and early 1960's were tion of many good business operations. important to Crookston. The city The future now, as it has always been, government was still operating under is in the hands of citizens. We can make Minnie I. Boe - Clerk of the District the 1906 City Charter, long outmoded. of our community what we want it to be. Court, 1923-1935. Several efforts had been made to have elections for a new charter and all fail­ ed. In 1959 District Court Judge Sylves­ tre appointed Harold Thomforde to the Ci Official Charter Commission and asked that a ty s new Charter Commission be organized Office of City Clerk: Lewis Ellington, Erickson. 1950-1959: Robert Peterson, to work out a new charter for the city. 1920-1921; Bergetta M. Loken, 1921- 1959-1962; Kenneth Erie, 1962- 1964; Reorganization took place, and the 1939; Loren Skogness, 1939-1949. Clarence Kludt. 1964- 1977; Charles Charter Commission met every two Fitzgerald, 1978-. weeks for almost two years to draw up a Office of Treasurer: E.E. Rossberg, new document, with the help of Attor­ 1920-1926; Irving DeMott, 1927-1927; Office of City Engineer: J .A. ney Leonard Erickson. When the new C.M. Stevens, 1928-1943; J.F. Page, McLean, 1920-193 1; Lee R. Boyd, 1 932- proposed charter was completed, all 1943-1945. (The Clerk and Tr easurer 1937; Lester W. Newberry, 1937-1940; service clubs and other groups were vis­ Officesmerged in 1946.) O.c. Helseth, 1940-1941; J.E. Dishing­ ited to present arguments in favor of the ton , 1941-1944; J.J. Deneen, 1944-1947; new charter. In 1961 the citizens voted Office of Clerk-Treasurer: Loren John C. Adams, 1948-1951; Robert and passed the issue by about an 88% Skogness, 1946-1952; Norman Hanson, Hussey, 1951-1956; Kenneth Schuett, vote. That charter is still in effect today, 1952-1953; Jerome Sieg mund. 1953- 1956-1957; James Baird, 1957-1961; and very few changes have been needed 1954; Victor F. Hodgson, 1954-1959; Raymond Blessum, 1961-1963; Winston to keep it current. The plan used by the Curtis 1. Hendrickson. 1959- C. Larson, Consulting Engineer, 1964; Crookston Charter Commission to get a Richard A. Widseth, 1964-1967; Web­ favorable vote is still the plan the Office of City Attorney: W.E. Rowe, ster, Foster & Weston, Consulting En­ Minnesota League of Cities uses today 1920-192 1; Martin O'Brien, 1922-1923; gineer, 1968- 1975; Widseth, Smith, when they advise people how to conduct J.H. Sylvestre, 1924-1931; Lowell J. Nolting & Associates, Consulting En­ a charter campaign. Grady, 1932-1942; J .H. Sylvestre. 1942- gineer, 1976-. 1945; W.E. Rowe, 1946-1950; L.A. During the mid-sixties Crookston suf-

25 Stockade - Earliest form of Public Reprimand

Early scenes involving Crookston's growth were inundated with lively rec­ reational outlets in the form of saioons, saloons, and more saloons.

A stockade was the earliest form of reprimano for the barley-corn crowd who, after sobering up in the contrap­ tion, usually sought relief fromthis pub­ lic embarrassment through another elbow-bending session.

At the urging of sober-min<�ed citi­ zens, who recognized that establishing " law and order was top priority, a police force was formed in 1884. A chief of police was appointed at a salary of $60 per month. Two officers were hired to complete the town's early roster. Louis Gonyea served fourteen years on the police force, eleven of which were as chief.

By 1906, the roster read: Chief Aaron Eck; Patrolmen Emil Vonderbeck, Wil­ liam Muench, George Roberts, Al­ phonse Lalonde, and D.D. Horton. Any one of the six could have supplied color­ ful accounts regarding a favorite area of recreation frequented by lumberjacks Evidently a family man, Louis Gonyea, one of Crookston's earlier police chiefs, also who invaded the town on pay day. The found time to compile a noteworthy record of service to the city during his fourteenyears area was a red light district in the Gor­ on the force. gas Avenue section of town overseen by a Madame Stella Hamilton. It was not establishment, amid a chaotic pattern of vice was also employed whenever unusual for loggers to spend their entire pleasure, drunken brawls, and suspect necessary. (The first patrol car was in­ pay in one weekend at Madame Stella's card games that erupted into fights. troduced about 1938).

Rowdy lumberjacks were the first to In 1940 the department consisted of acknowledge the " strong" dedication of eight men: Chief J.A. McCaffrey (ap­ the stalwart blue serge members of the pointed in 1928), Captain Milton Dilla­ town's early police force. They often re­ bough (appointed as patrolman in 1924 turned to the lumber camps bearing and captain in 1928), Patrolman Arthur these marks of dedication. Ray (1930), Edmond F. McWaters (1937), Darwin Krogman (1939), Homer The policemen of yesteryear were A. Stephens (1940) Night Desk Sargeant conspicuous with their prominent hel­ Lawrence E. Regan (1930) and Day mets, night sticks, and well-groomed Desk Sargeant Peter Cramb (1937). mustaches. They dutifully walked their beats, and, in contrast to some of their Formal training was not required dur­ more physically demanding duties, ing the 30's and 40's, but FBI schools often performed such sundry duties as were intermittently attended by the turning carbon street lamps on and off staff. By 1960 the police roster stood at and collecting monthly water samples to ten members. Today it numbers twelve, be analyzed by the city health inspector. with Dennis (Ben) Hogenson as chief.

Hours were long (12-hour shifts, The department is now under the seven days a week) minus the conven­ jurisdiction of the local Civil Service ience of patrol cars. By 1928 a police­ Board, and candidates must take a man's pay envelope amounted to $125 a written and oral test in addition to a month. According to Harry Dillabough, physical and psychological exam. who served as police chief from 1958 to 1969, the 1930's saw three shifts being POLICE CHIEFS SINCE 1884: Tore Bang was appointed as U.S. Mar­ incorporated into a 24-hour day. His . shal in Crookston in 1890. U.S. mar­ father, Milton Dillabough, served as Louis Gonyea, Aaron Eck, John shals provided law and order in Crook­ captain from 1928 to approximately Cramer, Bert Caunate, Sam Goodvue, ston's early days and for a number of 1948. During that time a Harley-David­ Dave Sanders, J.A. McCaffrey, C.P. years following the formation of a local son motorcyle, with a side car, was the Kerner, Gale Regan, Harry Dillabough, police department in 1884. first mechanized vehicle used. Taxi ser- Gale Regan, and Dennis Hogenson.

26 Emerson Insurance and Real Esta te

213 North Broadway

Th� 1940 Crookston Police Department, all spiffied up for inspection, are (1 to r) Police ChIef J.A. McCaffrey, Patrolmen Homer Stephens, Darwin Krogman Ed McWaters , ' Art Roy, Desk Sergeant, Pete Cram, and Captain Milton Dillabough. S heri f f s Founded 1054

POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS Department 1873- T. Jenkins 1878-1880 A.R. Russel The sheriff's department dates back 1880-1882 B.F. Zarracher to 1873 when T. Jenkins was appointed 1883-1 887 W.F. Wickey as the first Polk County sheriff. During 1889- N.O. Paulsrud the following years eighteen men 1893-1895 Arne Grundyson served in that office until 1975 when the 1895-1901 Thomas Lawrence current Sheriff of Polk County, Earl 1901-1905 Ed S. Sullivan Mosher, took office. When he began as Wagner 1905-1907 Louis Gonyea a deputy in 1963, all three deputies had 1913-1919 E.F. Kelly to be on call 24 hours a day. The two 1919-1923 O.K. Bolstad jailers worked shifts of 24 hours on and 1923-1 925 Anton Nelson Building Sales, Inc. 24 hours off. Mosher's work schedule 1925-1935 Ira Haaven involved seven days a week and his wife 1935-1943 Julius Spokely served as matron for female prisoners. 1943-1951 Torkel Knutson Today's deputies are licensed, work 8- 1951-1955 Vernon Espe hour shiftsand are on call. As of July 1, 1955-1 963 Carl Knutson 1979, they are required to pay fees for 1963- 1 975 Paul Caouette license renewal and to attend 48 hours I 975-prescnt Earl Mosher Route1 of �raining classes, over a three-year perIOd, to keep their certification active. To-day's roster number 12 deputies and four dispatchers.

Founded 1072

Ira L. Haaven - Polk County Sheriff, Sheriff Thomas Lawrence - 1895-1901. 1925-1935 27 "Every which way but loose" ...the fourteen members of Crookston's Fire Department (1900) hold a champion's pose to illustrate their prowess as the Running Team Champions ...a record held from 1898-1900.

Disastrous Fires Lead to Format ion of fire Departm ent

On a cold frosty night in December E.B. Ellsworth was appointed Fire 1879, the City received its baptism of Chief, with Tom Morris as assistant. fire. Four buildings in a main block of Mr. Ellsworth never qualified as chief the city were destroyed at a loss of and the duties were absorbed by $5,600. Without the help of the railroad, Morris. On April 30, 1880. he was un­ the fireundoubtedly would have burned animously and offically elected as Fire out of control. The river was solidly fro­ Chief. In this capacity he served with zen and its banks so steep it was im­ great credit to himself and the city until possible to reach any water. The super­ the new organization of the department intendent of the railroad ran two en­ on November 12, 1883. gines to the scene, with tanks filled with water. The lesson learnedwas ' 'Get fire On March 19, 1880, a new 100 gallon protection. " chemical engine was purchased by the council. This purchase pleased the fire­ The following notice appeared in the men so much that they felt equal to any Northern Tier of January 10, 1880: emergency. "There will be a meeting at Lawrence's Hall next Saturday evening at 7:30 On April 30, Chief Morrisappointed a sharp. Object I organization of some committee to draw up by-laws and to kind of fire department. Be therel Tum secure new members. Serving were out! By order of City Council." Messrs. E.M. Walsh, W.F. Arnold and A. McKinnon. They picked the name Pursuant to call, a large number of Crookston Fire Company No. I for their citizens met. With Alderman Kelsey new chemical engine. Chase presiding and V.D. Carruth act­ ing as secretary, a resolution was pass­ In 1882 a system of water-works was ed asking the council to purchase three inaugurated and added to from time to ladders, twelve axes, two hundred time. Crookston had as good a water­ buckets, silt harpoons and picks, two Noted for his record of service as fire work system as any city of its size in the fire hooks and chains and 200 feet of chief, Tom Morris' career in the late state, with 75 hydrants and an elevated rope. These were Crookston's first fire 1800's and early 1900's was unequaled tank. In connection with the Jumbo fighting tools. by anyone in the department. pump important pressure could be

28 maintained for any length of time, using In 1900 Chief Morris was elected the river for its water source. president of the State FireJDe.ll's AsssO­ ciation when Crookston was 'host to the On November 12, 1883, M.B. Hayes convention. In 1903 he ' appointed . was elected chief, with A.C. Schmidt as Charles F. Brennan as assistant chief. assistant. Chief Hayes held office until He was a capable and brave fireman as . June 5, 1884 when John R. McKinnon proved by the manner in which he I was elected chief, with A.C. Schmidt as handled the New York Store fire in the ' assistant. Chief Hayes held office until absence of his chief. In 1905 Brennan June 5, 1884 when John R. McKinnon took the post of chief and compiled a file was elected and served until December, of information on buildings inthe city. than "Jimmie" as he was known. He was elected to an honorary life member­ A.J. Barrette was picked as the next ship in the State Firemen's Association. chief in 1908. He had served as treasur­ er of the department previous to his ap­ Chief O'Brien served until Decem1rer pointment and was also known as the The Crookston Fire Department has 1887 and was succeeded by E.W. Wile principal harness maker of the city. In maintained an excellent record for hav­ who also had a remarkable record as 1909 Thomas R. Johnstone served as ing dedicated firemen and for effici­ chief. When Wile left the city, A.A. chief, as secretary for the city and also ency. Charles F. Brennan, appointed McKinnon succeeded him as chief and for the Relief Association. In 1910 A.J. assistant chief in 1903 and fire chief in served with reat credit until October Barrette was again voted head of the g 1905, was responsible for initiating a 1893. In October 1893 F.G. Rauch was department, followed again by Tom city building information file that has elected chief. It was during his term of Morris, 1911; Fred Harris, 1912-1914; been an asset to firefight ers. office that the St. Louis Hotel burned. A.C. Schmidt, 1914-1915. John Risch Chief Rauch served one year and was served from 1916 through 1926. His succeeded in 1894 by A.C. (Gus) son, Ed Risch, also was a very active Schmidt, a painter by trade. It was volunteer fireman. deemed necessary to chain and padlock the ladders to a large tree in frontof the In 1926 Ro.ss Schmidt was elected to Merchant's National Bank otherwise head the fire squad. Chief Ross headed the firemen would have to hunt up the 1he department from19 26 to 1946. Dur­ painter to get their ladder for a firecall . ing his term Ross had his work cut out for him, for tIle town had a rash of big In October of 1896 Tom Morris was fires during his term. The Crookston unanimously re-elected and subse­ Brewery burneddown and in 1936 both quently was chosen nine more consecu­ Our Savior's Lutheran Church and the tive times. Chief Morris's· career as a Norwegian Lutheran Church experi­ fireman was unequalled by anyone in enced fires. In 1936 the old Winter the department or city. He was one of Shows building had a fire where the the old 7ger's and had been the first Apparently ready to " caJl the troops" at Central school garage is now located. active chief of the original fire depart­ a moment's notice, A.C. Schmidt ment. He completed a quarter of a cen­ served as fire chief from 1914-1915. The tury of service to the city's fire depart­ bugle was actuaJly used to direct fire ment. fightersat the scene of action. •

The oatmeal got cooked, but no one wanted any. The fire that destroyed this Ash St. oatmeal factory also threatened Fozen mustaches and frozen feet were guaranteed conditions during any winter fire. a packing house next door, both on the The crew above, thawing out for the camera, was Crookston's first team of volunteer fire present site of the Grand Theatre and fighters. Fighting fires in 30 degrees below zero weather was no humorous matter. city parking lot.

29 Chief Ross was respected and loved by his firemen and the whole city of Crookston. Succeeding Chief Ross, Bill Herbert was elected chief and served from 1946 to 1965. Chief Bill appointed H.T. (Doc) Welter as his assistant. It was during Herbert'sterm that Crook­ ston had three disastrous fires - the Crookston Milling Company, the Crooskton Times and apartments, the Northwood Inn and several fires at what is now Diamond's. Chief Herbert re­ tired in 1965 and H.T. (Doc) Welter was chosen to replace him and is still serving in that capacity. His assistants have been Gerry Granger and Duane Radi.

Today a modern 33-man department that includes six full time firefighters and 27 volunteers affordsfire protection to Crookston as well as 16 outlying townships in Polk County. Residents ap­ proved a $255,000 bond issue for a new Picture this group tearing down Broadway in response to the Fire Department's clang­ fireha ll in 1968. The brick and concrete ing bell in the tower announcing an emergency! From leftto right are Carl Zitzer, John block building is 134 x 86 feet and con­ Risch (firechi ef) , and Ed Risch, about 1917. tains three rural and fo ur city trucks, as well as a rescue truck and two boats era\' agriculture, and civil offices were full and part-time employees. This with trailers. The new building houses a housed in the local building until stair office had over thirty employees when 30 foot hose tower, a dormitory to sleep climbing required ground floor service each passenger train carried mail, and 12 men, showers, clean-up and main· and entrance_ at that time Crookston was a mail-pro­ tenance areas, a communications room, Postal service in the Crookston area cessing sectional center. and a meeting room. Firemen enjoy has consisted of as many as seven rural complete kitchen facilities and a recrea­ routes. All were horse-drawn, and many The office now delivers mail to over tion area. winter routes were overnight excur­ four thousand places each day and dis­ sions. Today's rural routes are vehicle­ patches approximately nine thousand March 1971 the Crookston Firefight­ mounted and consolidated into three lo­ pieces daily. Sunday and holiday collec­ ers Auxiliary was organized, with a cal routes encompassing Huot and Gen­ tion is by Metro Star Route Service. present membership of 35 wives of ac­ tilly. tive and retired men. During the days of hand-fired heating Post master since 1872 (some plants. services were required of four dates not available): E.M. Walsh, Commu nication fu ll-time custodial people, who manned A. Eicken, Elias Stenner son shovels and cleaned the structure. One (1904-1913), Charlie Skaug, W.T. Post wa s person today covers the entire building, Nicholson. N.A. Thorson (1934- with the aid of automatic gas-fired heat­ 1942), Bert Levins (1942-1948), ing and air conditioning. Flower beds Oscar Brustad (1948-1956), ··Big Cottonwood" are planted by courtesy of the Crookston Robert McWaters (acting post­ Early communication in this area be­ Garden Club. master 1956-1957), William Lar­ gan at the "Big Cottonwood" in Huot son (1957-1978), Jerome Markel Park. Information relates that early The Crookston Post Office serves a (1978-date). travelers placed their messages in the population of 16.000, with only three tree for their friends or business corre­ spondents to pick up.

Records in 1906 indicate that the first post office in Crookston was located at 105 West Second Street (present loca­ tion of Bob Smerud's Office Products). Hours were from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Carrier deliveries were made three times daily to business establishments and twice in the residential areas.

The Crookston Post Office building, located at South Broadway and Fletch­ er, had its origin in 1909. Each piece of building material was hand-crafted and placed manually. The only mechaniza­ tion was a pulley and beam. This struc­ The construction of Crookston's present post office at South Broadway and Fletcher in ture was expanded in 1938 to the west 1909 is shown. The three-story Times building at right was then the Grand Central as the result of a PW A project. All fed- Hotel. The hotel was owned by the Marette fa mily. 30 POLK COUNTY OFFICERS 1872-

Auditor O. A. Christianson R. Reynolds C.M. Benson Court Commissioner 1901·12131104 1879 E. M. Walsh 1894-1902 W. C. Woodruff 1872·1875 J. H. Stair Christopher Steener· O.A. Thoreson 1873 1/1/05·12131/08 son, 1880·1882 Al Yvernault 1902-1906 W. C. Nash 1875·1878 Theo. A. Thompson Arne Higdem 1/1/09·12/31/18 }882 T.T. Morken H. E. Cooke John Christianson 1906-1912 1879·1881 1879·1881 G. T. Hagen Thomas Shapleigh 1/1/18· 1882·1886 A.L. Hovland John Leo P. J. McGuire 1882·1885 1881·1890 Died in office E. M . Walsh 1912-1922 Theo. A. Thompson 1887·1891 Eric O. Hagen D. E. Hatleslad Webster C. U. 1918·1922 1885·1891 1890·1894 App't. Nels Maus 1922-1926 John Saugstad 1891·1895 Wm. Averill John Gleason Myrtle Hovland 1/1/23·12/31/30 1891·1895 1895·1900 John Vig 1926-1934 Bertha B. Henre 1895·1898 John S. Dwyer Nels Hoffard Nels Ben Hansen 1/1/31·12/31/42 1895·1897 1903·1908 E. E. Lommen 1934-1946 1899·1903 GeOl'ge Palmer Henry J. Welte Walter B. Acker Phillip A. Andderson 1897·1905 1908·1954 1943·1965 Wm. Lanctot 1947-1970 J. A. Hendricks Martin L. Van seth Laverne Sorlie 1905·1915 Milton Kludt 1905·1907 1954-1978 1965- Hans L. Wagge Acting Judge 1971 John McLean. Died in office 1915·1923 Robert Peterson 1907·1909 Lawrence H. Fontaine Sheriff Minne E. Boe 1972-1975 Aaron Youngquist 1978- 1923·1 935 Phillip D. Nelson 1909·1915 T. Jenkins Raymond Espe A. J. Johnson Treasurer 1873 1915·1917 A. R. Russel 1935-1974 William Ross L. S. Miller 1878·1880 Doris Morberg Judge of 1917·1919 1872 1974- B. F. Zarracher District Court John Christianson O. K. Berget 1880·1882 1919·1923 1878 Frank Ives W. F. Wickey County Attorney O. H. Lucken 1893-1899 L. S. ldiller 1883·1887 1923·1931 1888 W. C. Woodruff William Watts N. O. Paulsrud 1872 Hans L. Waage J. T. Beaudry 1889 1899· 1934 1893·1895 1931·1951 John McLean J.E. Montague Arne Grundysen 1878 MartinVan seth M. G. Peterson 1893·1895 1934-1949 1899·1901 Halvor Steenerson 1951-1954 Thomas Lawrence 1880 J.H. Sylvestre M. G. Peterson 1895·1901 1949- 1 965 Winnie Laurent 1901·1903 William Watts 1954- 1 978 Ed. S. Sullivan 1882·1888 Harley Swenson W. L. Vannet 1901 ·1905 1965- 1 975 1904·1909 D. P. Williams Louis Gony<'a 1888 RobertA. Peterson George L. Flaten 1905·1907 Surveyor 1910·1931 A. R. Holsten 1975· Orin Daniels 1893·1895 R. E. Hu ssey Lewis G. Hancock 1907·1913 1873·1878 1932 to 4/1/38 A. R. Holsten Coroner E. Kelly Wm. Arnold Died in office F. 1901 G. D. Wilkins 1913·1919 1878·1881 Pualine Lindberg W. E. Rowe 1873·1878 John Hunt 1938 O. K. Bolstad 1901·1905 App't. April, L. Beaupre 1881·1883 42·12/31/51 1919·1923 Elected James H. Maybury 18"18·1881 C. L. Brainard Anton Nelson 1905·1909 Robert Risch Dr. M. Watts 1883·1 884 1/1/52 to 59 1923·1925 1881 ·1885 Eric O. Hagen A. L. Hamery Mrs. V.E. Watts Ira Haaven 1909·1915 N. Van Dyke 1885·1887 1925·1935 1959-1971 1885·1887 G. A. Youngquist W. F. Arnold Florence Rood Julius Spokely 1915·1919 H. Shepard 1889·1891 1971- 1935·1943 1887·1891 J. E. Montague A. L. Hamery Torkel Knutson 1919·1931 A. McEachron 1891·1903 1943·1951 George Hagen 1891·1896 Register ofD eeds Alex Gray Vernon Espe 1931·1935 G. H. Palmer 1903·1905 1951·1955 Jacob Myers 1897·1899 F.H. Stadvold George Ralph 1/1172·12131174 Carl Knutson 1935-1965 Ole R. Miller 1905·1909 G. S. Spendley 1955-1963 1900·1903 1/1175·12131/84 Robert Peterson Steener Steenerson Paul Caouette 1965-1972 G. S. Chesterman 1909·1913 John Paterson 1963·1975 1903·1909 1/1/85·12131/86 John Winters Johannes E. Beim Earl Mosher 1972-1978 Nels Stenshoel 1913·1915 Andrew Eiken 1975- 1909·1913 1/1/87·10/15/91 Wayne Swanson Leslie Raff Dr. H.E. Nelson 1915·1917 John Locken 1979- Clerkof Court 10/16/91·12/31/92 Judge of Probate 1913-1971 Steener Stenerson 1�17·1953 John Amundson Rich ard Hussey S. Fjoser Dr. R.O. Sather 1/1/93·12/31/94 1872·1874 1971-1976 Lloyd Ofstedal 1878 1954-1976 Albert Wickstrom J. H. Barb R.J. Montague Dr. John A. Cesnik 1874·1877 1977-1 978 ConSUlting Surveyors, 1895·12/31/97 188 - 8 2 1 90 Widseth, Smith & Nolting John S. Dyer Bernhard Sampson C.O. Christianson Dr. John K. Wood 1/1/98·12/31/00 1978- 1976- 1878 1890- 1894

31 jfounbeb 1913 �olk ctCoUt ttp �ta tt Jjatlk

102 j}ortb j§roabblap

Polk County State Bank - 1979

Front row, [left to right) Mary Boone,Cherry Bivens, SonjaLill qulst, Carolyn Nelson, Debbie Dickel, Julie ReglmbaJ, Chris Olson, Annette Erickson, Bill Ericson; Second Row: Connie Meier, GaIl Schroeder, Debbie Sondrol, Chris Reynolds, Don Hass, Vicki Lundin, Lester Audette; Third Row: Karen Hanson, Mae Morgan, Rita Trandem, Jim WUson, Gunder Moe, Jeannine Windels, Carol O'NeU, Clifford Zafike, Marie Nelson. Not Pictured:Carol Hoiseth.

32 Onward and Upw ard with Education

The schoolhouse. It was never the first building erected, nor was it the most beautiful architecturally. Sometimes it was just a tar paper shack or a room in the home of a pioneer woman. But it was the cen­ ter where the American dream could become a reality -- education for everyone. This desire and re­ spect for the acquisition of learning was innate in the American settler though many had had little formal schooling themselves, they were de­ termined that their children have what they had been denied . The schools, therefore, have always been and still are a community and parental responsibility, and the public has seldom balked at paying the cost of education, especially when Crookston was young.

Crookston's first school was a small cabin of logs, lumber, and tar paper The first one-room log school house in Polk County was the old #6, established near the edge of a wood. The building about 1873. had been constructed by railroad engin­ eers as their headquarters and was lo­ Up to this time classes had been in Obviously not all these children attend­ cated on what is now Fourth street be· session only four months during the ed the full nine months. The editor of tween Main and Broadway. The dat( summer. Now the new term was to be the local paper bragged that Crookston was 1873, only a year afterthe first set· nine months. Plans were made to erect had only six fewer students than Fargo ! tlers came into the area. The first a building 48 x 36 feet and two stories teacher, according to E.M. Walsh in his high. Before its completion, however, The pupils were divided into first and reminiscences, was Mrs. Munroe Pal­ an additional bond was voted and second grades and, according to one re­ mer, who had arrived with her husband passed, making the total cost of build­ port, the equipment consisted mainly of shortly afterWa lsh. ing, equipment, and supplies almost "benches and switches". The only two $4000. This structure was in the block teachers mentioned as being in charge where Central High now stands. In all of this transitory crew of 100 or more early school board minutes the site is were V.D. Carruth, the first principal, By 1874 two gentlemen named D. always spoken of as School House and Miss Amy Box, assistant. Since no Jacobson and P. Porger formed a com­ Square. school was complete without a bell, the mittee to raise funds to pay a teacher, civic-minded Mr. Porger sponsored a and Miss Luella Thompson of St. Paul dance to raise money to buy one. Well­ Sixty-eight students appeared when was hired. (It would appear that Mrs. attended, they say. Anyway, they school opened in the fall of 1878. Con­ Palmer had donated her services.) By bought a bell! fu sing attendance reports follow there­ December, 1875, Miss Thompson had after: December 13, 84; December 27, 1880. apparently fallen in love with a Hugh Expansion was the key word in 105. One account states that a total of rowing and needed more Thompson of Fisher's Landing, for she The town was &, 157 had been enrolled during the year. married and moved to that town, leav­ (Contin ucd on Page 34) ing the school without a teacher. Fortu­ nately, the wife of an 1873 settler, Mrs. Kelsey D. Chase, accepted the job. Community Kanten-Holman

Education in the little village was Music Cen ter and Associates really in business by 1876 when the citi­ zens elected the first school board: Ellery C. Davis, E.M.l<.Wa lsh, and Robert Houston. On March 28 of that 111 West 2nd 107 West 2nd Street year they then petitioned the county commissioners to establish a school dis­ trict, and in 1877 School District #1 was born, taking in four townships. The dis­ Founded 1979 Founded 1979 trict then voted bonds in the amount of $2,000 to build a schoolhouse. 33 (Continued fromPage 33) taught by the principal and four teach­ schools. On May 8 the district voted to ers. Tuition fees for those out of the issue bonds for 56,000 at 100/0 interest districtwere 51 and 51.50. over a period of ten years to build three schools. A contract was let to a Mr. For heating all the school houses that Netzer to construct a brick structure, 48 year, sixty cords of woodwere bought at x 32 feet and two stories high, on the 55 a cord. For many years each school northeast comer of Schoolhouse board member had the responsibility for Square. Cost: 53,200.For a frame build­ a school building, to inspect it and be ing in Carman, 30 x 24, specifications aware of its current needs. called for a brick foundation. The third, finally completed in 1882, was erected When S.A. Farnsworth became prin­ on the hill. It housed first, second and cipal in 1883 (at 590 a month for 10 third grades who lived northof Seventh months), bonds were again voted for a street, and was similar to Carman's. new central school, 515,000 this time. The total school budget for 1880-81 was To make room on School House Square, 54345. the old frame building was moved to the corner of South Ash and Spendley for By this time the school system was the children in the 4th ward, living Mrs. Elsie Spendley served as truant divided into four departments: primary, south of Loring and east of the railroad officerin 1912. intermediate. grammar, and high tracks. The annual report of 1884 states school. Schools were in session nine that 534,022 had been paid for new neys and the fourth, an insurance man. months and the teachers were paid 535 schools and sites. By the way, it took Marin, Montague and Vanne,tt all set­ a month. The principal earned 575 for seven stoves to heat this new Central tled here. Finlayson was a track and 14 weeks. There were fall, winter, and structure. football star at the University of Minne­ spring terms, and the 359 children were sota. In 1892 Central graduated three, By 1885 Sampson's Addition needed among whom was Minnie Walker, the an educational center. Another 52,000 first girl to earn her diploma. The class bond issue. John Moore had been elect­ size had increased to seven by 1893. ed superintendent in 1884 at 51,350 for nine months, a job he held until 1899. Teachers' salaries during this period SUPERINTENDENTS OF During his tenure the school system allowed for experience. First-year CROOKSTON PUBLIC burgeoned. By 1889 there were 941 stu­ teachers received 545 a month; second­ SCHOOLS dents between the ages of 5 and 21, and year, 547.50; three-year, 5501 Janitors 2S over the age of 26. Of these, 70 were were paid about 510 a month. 1883 S.A. Farnsworth in high school The firsthigh schooh :lass 1884-1899 John Moore was graduated in 1891 with the four In 1895-96 a new brick high school 1899-1901 R. W. Hitchcock young people all delivering orations. was built on School House Square at a 1901-1903 W.F. Sellick They were William Marin, James E. cost of 514,710. By 1905 it was neces­ 1903-1911 E.E. McIntire Montague, G.E. Finlayson, and William sary to build an annex of two rooms and 1912-1914 A.B. Hess Vannett. The first three became attor- a basement on the northwest comer. 1915-1925 G.H. Sandberg 1925-1936 Arnold Gloor 1936-1950 L.M. Wikre 1950-1957 Farley Bright 1958-1965 C.P. Mickelson 1966-1969 Roy Anderson 1970-1975 Dr. Delton Roelofs 1975-1979 Charles Potter 1979- Randall H. Patton

Northwest Electric

Route 2

Founded lS74 Wearing their best outfits, complete with black stockings and high boots, are a class of Carman Schoolchildren in 1893.

34 A sample of a senior's class photo In the 1910 Central High year book. There were 46 graduates thatyear.

.Bettie �ertrube (fickbof Her deep blue eyes smiled con­ stantly. Nettie has been aspiring to the heights of ' 10 since arrival at Crooskton in 1891. Her favorite ex- Schoolhouse Square about 1884. The pression in school is, "Now be sure buildings are the Central School and the to help me." high school.

Because the area anticipated an en­ During the early years of the second The school debate team had joined rollment of 80 students in grades 1 to decade of the 20th century, athletic ac­ the State Debating League in 1910. In 4, in 1900 Jerome's Addition requested tivities were somewhat limited by the 1912 the team, coached by Mrs. Faith a new school. In fact, all schools were lack of a gymnasium. The Crookston Grey, won the State championship. The overcrowded. The vote on the bonds of auditorium at 216-18 North Main was members of the victorious squad were $10,000 for this four-room structure was rented at $10, and later, in 1911, the Harry Sylvestre, Leslie Lee, and Walter passed, 65 to 1. Germania Hall on the southwest corner Baumgarth. Their topic was: Resolved of Sixth and Front was available four chat the United States should establish The Eugene Field was enlarged in days a week until seven p.m. "for those Parcel Post. 1904 by a brick addition of two rooms. who did not smoke". Later the athletic Cost: $6,000. Vote: 56-2. By 1907 a new teams used the Methodist church gym The big news in 1912 was the deciSion building had to be erected on the Wash­ and the Armory. to build a new brick high school, which ington site, a two-story brick with four is the core oftoday's building. The bond rooms, the second story to be left unfin­ The year 1911 marked the election of issue in the amount of 5150,000at 4Vl % ished. The <;ostwas $6,500,plus heating two women to the Crookston School interest passed by a vote of 779 to 145. and plumbing. The second story was Board, Mrs. Charles Loring, who was To construct it in the center of School completed in 1910 at a cost of $1,310. chosen president, and Mrs. H.H. Hodg­ House Square it was necessary to raze Though Crookston parents were fre­ son, clerk. Central High added art, agri­ the Lincoln and move the old high quently asking for schools' for their culture, and commercial departments school to that location. A heating plant ' children, the bond issues always passed and hired both a vocal music and a part­ that took care of both Central and Lin­ by a large margin .. time orchestra instructor who also di­ coln was built at a cost of 515,844.69. rected the city band. The school cost $126,481.26. Plans in­ The kids' imaginations must have cluded the addition of a gymnasium and been smothered somewhere along the auditorium, but it wasn't until 1933 that line, for when asked during this period a bond issue for this purpose passed. A to name their alma maters, they chose 1925 vote met defeat. Added to Central Lincoln (the Central School), Washing­ in 1956 was a wing that included a larg­ ton (Hill), McKinley (Jerome's), Frank­ er gym , library, cafeteria, and indus­ lin (Woods), and Eugene Field (Samp­ trial arts, business education, and son's). So it was and is and ever shall music departments. bel The Crookston Public Schools today Now all seemed under control with have 2,027 students and 139 teachers. the schools and their plans. Then on State Aid per pupil over the years has Saturday, March 7, 1908, the Franklin increased astonishingly. In 1873 it was School was destroyed by fire, fulfilling 96 cents; 1904 - 52.65; 1906 - 53.80; every student's dream. But the follow­ 1914 - $5.80; 1978 - 51155. ing Monday, bitter blow, the teacher and pupils reported for classes in the Because of decreasing enrollment, Methodist church and the LO.O.F. Hall the Crookston School District, now on Ash and Robert. Not only did the fire known as 593, at present has three ele­ . give impetus to the purchase of fire es­ mentary schools (Washington, Lincoln, capes, gongs, and fire drills for all and Carman) in full operation, all with schools, but it also forced the school kindergartens; one Middle School board to call for another bond issue of (Highland) for grades 6, 7 and 8; and a $20,000 for a new building. This one high school (grades 9, 10, 11 and 12). passed by a vote of 139-5. The final cost McKinley houses the Agassiz Valley was 527,950. Occupation took place in "School days, school days, dear old Vocational Center, and Eugene Field is January, 1909, and it is still in limited golden rule days" ...with little girls in the site of the Community Education use in 1979 bllt will be closed this fall. ribbons and little boys in knickers. Center. 35 CAmEDRAL GRADE AND mGH lant, Miss Marjorie Murray, who later SCHOOL became Sister M. Blandina.

When, in 1910, Bishop Timothy Cor­ Grades 11 and 12 were added to the Founded 1939 bett, D.D., was ordained Bishop of the school in 1915 and the first seniors were newiy founded Diocese of Crookston in graduated in June, 1917. Margaret northwestern Minnesota, his first work Knox of Fisher, a member of this class, was the building of a Catholic grade and entered the Crookston Benedictines on high school in Crookston. With the October 17, 1919, and became Sister M. funds that were slowly trickling in, he Timothy. purchased a site for the Cathedral Church, the school, and the episcopal Until 1939, the high school and the S & L Store residence on North Ash Street. grades continued to be housed in one building. In 1931 St. Joseph's House Ground was broken and the founda­ had been built as a shelter for orphan tion and basement of the school build­ boys in the diocese and also had a wing ing was built. When the time came to used as a convent for the teaching Sis­ lay the cornerstone, Bishop Corhett de­ ters. In 1937 the first and second grade cided to have a private ceremony, lest pupils moved from the Cathedral High 105 South Broadway the work should have to be discontinued school building to this structure, and it because of lack of money. Late at night, became known as the Cathedral Grade he and Father Joseph Wurm, and the School. The Cathedral parish eventually janitur put the cornerstone in place. bought the building from the diocese. Funds became larger, the work on the building progressed, and the school was Both high school and elementary in full swing for fifty-oneyears . school were administered under one principal until 1949. In the fall of that In the fall of 1911 Cathedral Grade year Sister Mary John Flynn became and High school opened with the eight principal of the high school, and Sister grades and two years of high school. Hyacinthe Subject, principal of the There were 125 pupils. The school was grades. In succeeding years, principals staffed by Sisters of St. Benedict from of the grades were: Sr. Florentine Gou­ Villa St. Scholastica, Duluth. Among let, 1951-1952; Sr. Baptiste LaCour- the teachers that first year was a postu- (Continued on Page 37)

a typical 1930's mercan tile store

Gordon Mjoen

Cathedral High School was built in 1911 and razed in the fall of 1969.

36 What the Alumni Were Doing in 1909 Courtesy of the C.H.S. The Shadow, November, 1909. Editors' Note: The staff of this liter­ ary goodie included Meda Chesterman, Ethel Vance, Maryan Wheeler, Nina Judson, Harriet Carrier, Ida Shelly, Ethel Robertson, Helen Misner, Noble Jones, Lucile Montague, Mary Arnold, Clinton Peters, Ray Rossberg, Lyle Brown, Will Gilbert, Blanche Heath, Cassie Ball, Harry Walker, Andrea Stephens, Culver Page, and Loran Graves. Oscar Locken is attending Carleton College ...Will Montague, president of the class, is a private stenographer for the superintendent of the Great Northern offices here in Crookston ... Ray Larsen is taking an academic course Central High's 1912 orchestra. They have either just struck a sour note or else Professor at the Minnesota University. Ray Smith Arthur Wasshausen's presence as orchestra director demands somber attention. is attending the Minnesota University this year, and along with him is Adrian (Continued from Page 36) Benedict taught in the Cathedral High St. Marie ....Merrian Stephens, vict' siere, 1952-1953; Sr. Bernadine Pask, School from which 903 students had president of the class, is taking an aca­ 1953-1954; Sr. Ida Cavanaugh, 1954- been graduated. Of the graduates, ten demic course at Oberlin College this 1957; Sr. DeChantal Welter, 1957-1962; have become priests, one a Jesuit lay year ...Will Jerome is teaching in one of Sr. Joan LaCoursiere, 1962-1965 and brother. Several are doctors, scientists, the rural schools near Grand Forks ... 1966-1967; Sister Cecilia Smith, 1965- lawyers, nurses; many are teachers and James Lowham is taking a business 1966; Sister Laurian Lasha, 1967-1972; many more are homemakers. course at the Crookston Business Col­ Sister Mary Ann Welsch, 1972-1975; Sr. lege and is reported as one of the fastest Leonie Lammers, 1975-1977; and Sr. From the fall of 1919 to the spring of that ever attended the college ...John Lorraine Kraft, from 1977 to the pres­ 1967, Sister Augustine, Clement, Hughes is teaching school at Eldred ... ent. Josepha, Marcella, Cyprian, Emmanu­ Ignatius Hamel is taking an academic el, Thecla, Mary John, Patricia, and course at Holy Cross College ...Harold The grade school reached its highest Hiltrudis served as principals. Anglim is taking an academic course at enrollment in the school term 1957- Holy Cross College ...Lynn Robertson 1958, with 385 pupils in grades one The Cathedral High School building and Carl Erdman, the two guiding stars through eight. In 1968 the two Catholic remained vacant until it was razed in of the class of 1909, were in for the grade schools in Crookston, Cathedral the fall of 1969 to make room for a park­ convention ...Rose Becker is now Mrs. and St. Joseph's Academy, were reor­ ing lot for the Cathedral Church and the V. Morland and resides in her pleasant ganized with the result that the fo ur Catholic Elementary School. home on North Front. lower grades were enrolled at St. Joseph's Primary School on Houston Avenue, and grades five through eight attended the Cathedral Middle School. Sisters of St. Joseph joined the Cathe­ jf0 unbc b 1975 dral faculty and likewise Sisters of St. Benedict taught at St. Joseph's. A joint school board governed the two schools. ' This arrangement lasted until 1974 Alustin s for tIl £ 11 when St. Joseph's Academy closed and all students were transferred to Cathe­ dral. A kindergarten was added. The school was renamed the Catholic Ele· mentary School, since it consolidated 107 Jlortb jiroabb.1ap both St. Anne's and the Cathedral par­ ish schools. The total enrollment in 1974-75 was 218. In the current school year, 1978-79, there are 229 pupils. UWear

The Cathedral High School wa� � closed permanently in September, 1967, jfa�bion �tar� and the boys were admitted to Mount St. Benedict. The Class of 1967 was the last to graduate from Cathedral, the jirucc ,ffljorn fifty-firstclass to finishthere . During all these years the Crookston Sisters of St. 37 63 Years of Educati.o n at St. Jose ph's Academy The year 1905 was probably not much different from any preceding year for ethnic groups who had arrived to estab­ lish homes in the not yet 30-year-old city of Crookston. But for the large French­ speaking population the year was spe- . cial, for it marked the arrival of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who had been urged by Bishop McGolrick of Duluth to open a parochial school in Crookston.

Mother Marie Jeanne Humbert came down from Argyle (where the Sisters had arrived from France in 1903) and fo und a small frame house to be used as a school at 436 South Ash Street. Sisters Marie Valentine Bouaillat, St. Ange Godard, and Aimee Bourgeois joined her and the lay teacher, Miss Antonine Lepine, who was engaged to teach English. On March 4, 1905, the four of The Clement home on Houston Anenue served as a school from 1906-1912, run by the them welcomed one pupil, Edna Bros­ Sisters of St. Joseph. seau. By the end of May that year, the number of pupils had increased to 17. In 1916 Eva Lanctot received the first course from 1949 to 1968 until the school was absorbed into the Crookston Mother Marie Jeanne then purchased high school diploma from St. Joseph's Catholic School system. the Clement property on Houston Academy. In the work of educating, the Avenue with its French provincial style Sisters of St. Joesph placed great stress In 1949 the Academy reached its peak home with dormer windows, and this on the teaching of religion, of personal enrollment of 273 students, for the served as the Sisters' school until 1912 growth, of assuming responsibility in when the first two floors of the new home and civic life, and of appreciating school progressively attracted students from the tri-state area and even Illinois brick school were constructed at 314 literary and aesthetic arts. In their curri­ and Texas. Houston Avenue and the institution in­ culum planning they not only included corporated as St. Joseph's Academy. four years of English but also four years each of French and Latin. In addition to As an educational institution in Crookston, St. Joseph's Academy was The school register of 1911-12 includ­ the regular subjects in math, history, accredited by the University of Minpe­ ed names of 108 Crookstonites, a num­ and science, they added business sota through all the years of its exist­ ber of whom are still in the vicinity in courses as early as 1918 and home­ ence. The school magazine DAWN re­ 1979 -- Victor Cardin, Louis Munn, making in 1925. peatedly won national honors as a liter­ Henriette Sylvestre, Clarence Capi­ ary magazine. stran, Marian O'Brien, Alice Couvrette The high school curriculum of 1915-16 (Vick), and Hormisdas Brunelle. at the Academy included religion, senior grammar, French I, II, III, senior The first school term in the new arithmetic, elementary and higher alge­ Academy, 1912-13, proved that Catholic bra, plane and solid geometry, modern history, senior American history, civil parents in Crookston cared about educa­ government, senior geography, physi­ ing their children in the faith as well as ology, physiography, botany, chemi­ in all other areas. The enrollment of Peterson 141 was the highest since the first three stry. Six Sisters taught one or more of Sisters had arrived only seven years be­ these SUbjects. One Sister of the 1915- fore. 16 faculty is still alive in 1979. She is Sister Marie Nativity Richard, now re­ Foot Clinic tired at St. Joseph's Provincial House but vitally interested in everything around her -- from local politics to the The Headquarters latest course in theology. First Hati onal St. Joseph's Academy continued to expand and keep up with new demands Corner of in education. Curriculum offerings and Bank Building the size of the faculty grew through the years. hi 1949 the school introduced an Bth and Main integrated program of study called Christian Family Living. It had as its objective "to form educated Christians -- mature Christian women who are Founded laSe Founded 19S4 aware of their identity and are prepared to live up to their role in today's world." The Sisters of St. Joseph taught this

38 When Mount Saint Benedict opened The construction involved in the acad­ its doors in the fall of 1968; it found emy's growth was further developed in another group of students entering, the 1925 when the cement walks were laid, girls from St. Joseph's Academy. Now the curbing was put in, and the retain­ Crookston's three private high schools ing wall was built. There were 90 stu­ were combined into one. Not only did dents that year and the foundations the students from St. Joesph's Aca­ were being laid among them for what is demy come to the Mount but so did commonly known as "school spirit". some of the members of St. Joseph's faculty. Under the leadership of Sister The members of the senior class that Eleanor Mueller, O.S.B. and Sister year organized a staffand published the Elaine Dufrene, C.S.J., the school con­ first MSBA school paper, the Senior tinued to progress. With a capacity en­ Courier. They also presented their first rollment of 315 the faculty and students Mother Marie Jeanne Humbert (1858- play, in honor of Mother Eustacia found themselves completely involved 191 7), founder of the Sisters of St. Beyenka, on her nameday. In 1930 the in a crowded academic and activity pro­ Joseph of Crookston, was responsible students published another school pa­ gram. for the building of St: Joseph's per,the Buzzets. Five years later, 1935, Academy. MOUNT BELLES made its first appear­ Sister Mary Ann Welsch succeeded ance as the academy school paper. The Sister Eleanor Mueller as the seventh Sisters of St. Joseph who served as present school publication is THE principal ofthe school itl 1976. principals of St. Joseph's Academy suc­ DOVE, started in January, 1943. cessively from 1912 to 1968 include Sis­ The Academy has an innovative pro­ ter Agnes Godet, Sister Anne Ferland, Sister Mary John Flynn succeeded gram of studies with a variety of choices Sister Agnes Lanctot, Sb�ter Anne Ma�­ Sister Thecla Schmitz in 1938. However, in electives as well as basics. Its extra­ tina Ganser, Sister Marie Anthony at the end of the 1939 spring term, curricular program is well-rounded and Micka, and Sister Mary Edward Du­ Mount Saint Benedict Academy closed appealing to both boys and girls. The fresne. at the request of Bishop Peschges. He school is directed by a 13-member wanted a coeducational school; so in the school board. In 1968 when the Academy became a fall of 1939 the Mount girls reversed the part of the Crookston Catholic School 1923 transfer and became students of System and ceased to operate as a pri­ the Cathedral High School. During this vate boarding school and parochial (Continued on Page 40) school for children of St. Anne's Parish, Crookston it brought to a close a sixty-three-year history of education to a total of 12,130 Kational Bank students. Mount (From old issue of a Crookston "Your paper, probably in 90's) St . Bene diet Yesterday afternoon several hundred people gathered at the Community Bank" track on the river and watched a Academy number of very interesting brush­ When, in 1923, the Sisters of Mount es between some of the fast nags. Among the fast ones there was US West Saint Benedict decided to open their Joe Eckert with Mixer; D.H. doors to young people with whom they Robert Street wished to share their vision and ideals, Miller with Friday from Black Mount Saint Benedict Academy came Nell and Gordon V, former horses into existence. The date was September owned by W.S. Lycan; C.F. 5. Mitchell with his high strung and Fo unded lSI S promising colt; Ben Capistran Sister Clement Dorsey was the first with Uncle Sam; Dan McKinnon, principal of the school. Later she was one of Bjoin and Cc�rlson's new succeeded by Sister Thecla Schmitz who horses, driven by Ed Ralston, and guided the destiny of the school until a number of others. 1938. The firstyea r's enrollment in 1923 Schumacher s lUited 70 pupils: 29 resident and 41 day There were some lively heats, students. The girls attending the Cathe­ D.H. Miller's Friday being the dral High School transferred to Mount sensation of the day. This colt Saint Benedict Academy that year. gives great promise of being a Standard Service race horse, and with Mixer as The first graduates to receive diplo­ pace maker the two came down mas from the school included Agnes the stretch in great shape. From Noesen; Eleanor Sherry , Mrs. Marlen now on during the balance of the 123 West 8th Judge; Margaret Gramer, Mrs. Frank winter there promises to be some Wiese; Maureen Kelly, Mrs. William great racing stunts. Olson; Julia Ike, Mrs. Carlton Shane; Founded 1972 Alice Fitzpatrick, Sister M. Patricia; Christine Arends, Sister M. Digna; and El izabeth Kirsch, Mrs. AI Burgess.

39 time Sister Mary John was prefect of this position until the summer of 1967 In the fall of 1960 Sister Eleanor the Mount resident students and when he was recalled to become assis­ Mueller became principal. At that time teacher at Cathedral High. tant to the Abbot at St. John's Abbey. the facilities of the school were being taxed to capacity and every year girls On September 5, 1942, the Mount ini­ Sister Mary Magdalene Mulvey acted were being turned away. Under the tiated a new educational program - an as principal during the 1947-1948 school leadership of Mother Mary John Flynn, exclusive school for prospective mem­ year. In 1948 Sister Mary John Flynn the faculty turned its attention to plans bers of the community. High school and became the principal and directress. On for a new building. Four new buildings, post graduate courses were offered. December 20 of that year, "Christmas a residence hall, administrative and Sister Marcella Nolan was principal. Dawn", selected by Sister Mary John, classroom buildings, and a gymnasium, was given for the first time. This pag­ were dedicated on May 23, 1963. In In September, 1944, Mount Saint eant was presented with variations for September the Cathedral High School Benedict Academy reopened with a full the next twenty years. girls transferred to this new $2,000,000 fo ur-year academic program. The girls complex. This plan worked fine for four living in Crookston continued to attend To encourage young people to years. Then in 1967 it was decided to the Cathedral High School ; the Mount teach in rural schools, the state bring the Cathedral boys up to the new Academy enrolled only its resident stu­ set up what were called Normal school. Under the leadership of Sister dents. Sister Marcella headed the fac­ Training Departments in some Joan LaCoursiere and Sister Eleanor ulty. The staff included the Right Rev. high schools as part of the high Mueller, co-principals during 1967-68, Michael Ott, Sister M. Blandina, Sister school's 4th year curriculum. the school flourished, leaving little to be M. Josepha, Sister M. Secunda, Sister Crookston's program began in desired. M. Laurentia, Sister M. Amata, and 1904. Immediately, many seniors Sister M. Bernadine. shifted from their regular classes In 1949 Sister Austin Deemer headed to the new department, where the school. That year the annex on the The Rev. Roger Schoenbechler froni they received a year's training in south end of the main building was re­ St. John's University joined the acad­ teaching methods. The state fur­ modeled and the academy library was emy staffin September, 1946, a religion nished $750 a year to help defray moved into the area on the first floor. teacher and chaplain. He continued in the expenses ofthe program. Sister Austin continued as principal un­ Miss Kate Kenely, the first til 1960, accomplishing many things normal training instructor here, that helped to make the Mount Aca­ had 14 out of a total of 41 gradua­ demy what it is today. The achievement Villa St.Vine e nt ting seniors that first spring. In that gave Sister Austin the most satis­ 1909, 45 one-year teachers were faction was the admission of Chinese, turnedout . Practiceteaching was Black, and Indian girls to Mount St. done in designated rural schools. Benedict Academy through the offering SIB Walsh The program was finally phased . of complete scholarships. This program out by the ' State Education De­ was established through the offices of partmentin 1936, and elementary Mother Blandina and the Archbishop of Sisters of teachers were then required to Taiwan, but was later carried forward have two years of training beyond by Sister Austin. The first Chinese girls high school. In the 1960's graduated from the Mount in 1953, the Mount St. Ben edict teachers at all levels were re­ firstBla cks in 1954, and the firstIndians quired to earn a minimum of a in 1955. Since then many girls of other bachelor's degree. races have attended and been gradu­ Serving the ated. CrooKston area in heal th care tin� since lSlS !

Fleet Distributing Supply

1310 University

Founded leSe On a typical spring day in Crookston - note the muffs the class of 1914 posed for its picture. 40 Northwest

Experiment Sta tion founded J895

In 1895, the Minnesota State Legisla­ ture created the Northwest Experiment Station in Crookston, a part of the Uni­ versity of Minnesota. The tract of land used for the Northwest Experiment · Farm contained 476.61 acres and had been donated by the Great Northern Railway through the generosity of James J. Hill and Samuel Hill. Work at Northwest Experiment Station faculty in 1912. Leftto right (bottom row): Mr. Sewall, the experiment farm began in 1895 Mr. McCall, Miss McLaren, Supt. Selvig, Miss Franklin, Mr. Danielson, Mr. Sargent. when the city of Crookston and Polk Back row: Mr. Buhr, Mr. Bilsborrow, Mr. Baxter, Miss Rowe, Mr. Schwartz, Mr. County each gave $1000 which was used Brown. for drainage and building roads around and through the property. Professor W. M. Hays was placed in charge of the Experiment Station. He served until 1905. Joseph Skala, Red Lake Falls; Julie In that year the Legislature appro­ Swisse, Faribault; Nels A. Thomps�n, priated $15,000 to establish a branch Birkholz, and Ida Thompson, Beltrami. Sill Miller school of agriculture at Crookston. William Robertson was appointed the Christopher, Lewis and Mollie Foss­ first superintendent of the Northwest bakken, Fosston; Olaf and Olivia Nel­ TV and Appliance School of Agriculture and the Experi­ son, St. Hilaire; Len Opdahl, Alden; ment Station. Since the state �ad neg­ and Albert Petterson and Louis Regeim· lected to vote any funds for mainteri� bal, Crookston, made up the first grad­ Highway ance, a sum of $2500 was privately sub­ uating class - 1909. scribed by concerned citizens of Crook­ ston and vicinity. This fund and assis­ The school continued to grow rapidly. 2 & 7S Horth tance from Northwest Experiment Sta­ The enrollment in the second year was tion funds made it possible for the 41, and in the third year, 101. By 1938 school to open in 1906. there were about 400 students from all Founded 1949 over the region. The first building was a three-story structure simply called the School The school was a technical agricultur­ Building, later known as the Home Eco­ al school whose objective was to train nomics Building. It was a combination farm boys and girls to be successful in dormitory and classrooms. The boys the operation of farms in their own com­ were housed on the third floor. munities. It offered a three-year course of six months each, from October Thirty-one students were enrolled, all through March, and served as a live-in that the school could accommodate at high school for rural students. that time. It might be interesting to name these firststuden ts, since many of In 1907 the legislature provided the them have relatives living in the area. funds for two new buildings, and in They were Emma Augusta Anderson, 1908 Stephens Hall, a dormitory for Hallock; Agnes Bjoin, Crookston; Henry boys, and the Industrial Building, later L. Blackmore, Baggs, Wyoming; Carl named Owen Hall, were built. The leg­ Carlson, Kennedy; William Dewar, islature, in addition to providing funds Crookston; Walter Dewar, Crookston; for maintenance, also appropriated Hugo's John Distad, Perley; Hans Forseth, $2500to reimburse the citizens who had Climax; Christopher, Lewis and Molly contributed money to make the first Fossbakken, Fosston; Clara Hagan, year possible. James J. Hill spokeat the Piggly Wiggly Hendrum; Christian Hanson, Beltrami; dedication of Stephens Hall. FIoy Ingersoll, Crookston; Thor Lonne, Crookston; Christian Lindberg, Bel­ Mr. Robertsondied in 1910, and C.G. trami; Leroy Lytle, Crookston; Gustaf Selvig became the new superintendent. Highway Nelson, Northland; Olaf F. Nelson, St. Two new buildings were constructed Hilaire; Simon Nelson, Climax; Carl that year -- Robertson Hall, a girls' Nordlum, Beltrami; Lena Opdahl, Bel­ dormitory, and the Kiehle Building, 2 & 7S Horth trami; Elmer Oslund, Beltrami; Albert which contained a gymnasium, auditori­ Petterson, Crookston; William H. um, (considered one of the most beauti­ Rager, Crookston; Lewis Regimbal, ful rooms in the state), administrative Founded 1973 Crookston; Carl Seeger, Red Lake Falls; (Continued on Page 42) 41 (Continued from Page 41) In 1953, 3-year diplomas were no longer granted, and the Northwest five Business offices, and the library. In 1913 a central School became a 4-year high school. heating plant was constructed, and in During its 63-year history, the Crook­ Col Ie ges in Earl!J 1914, a second men's dormitory. The ston school graduated 5,433 students. enrollment reached 200 inthat year and ultimately attained an average figure of Days of Crookston about 400. In 1965 the University of Minnesota, with the sanction of the legislature, de­ During its early history Crookston had at least five business colleges. J.A. During the school's early years a stu­ cided to conduct the schoolon a college Button first taught shorthand in his dent paid $15 a month for room, board, level, and the institution opened as a home at 355 South Broadway before lights, and laundry, a sum that many college in the fall of 1966 with 185 stu­ 1902, and then in 1904 established admitted was "cheaper than folks could dents. The Northwest School graduated Button's Business College at 611 North live at home" . .its finalclass in March, 1968. Broadway. Later the school was located at 111 V2 West Robert. Button's adver­ An innovative program (1913-19) was tisement in one of the early high school a teacher training department where In the early 1900's there were newspapers states that commercial sub­ students completed courses in teaching two wholesale grocery compa­ jects, shorthand, typing, telegraphy, and directing household arts and do­ nies, three wholesale meat distri­ music, and a teacher's course were of­ mestic science in rural and consolidated butors, one creamery, two brick­ fered. schools. Qualified students were al­ yards, one brewery, several beer lowed by this post-graduate work at distributors, about twenty saloons About 1900 there was a Crookston NWSA to prepare for college. and a well patronized red-light Business College located at 101 South district. There were several grade Ash. The president was J.C. Sathre, schools, one junior high, one whose school was in existence for many Mud, plain old Red River Valley senior high school and two busi­ years. In the early years English was gumbo, was a major problem on campus ness colleges which attracted taught to Norwegian immigrants. Some­ for more than ten years. Though Supt. many students from a large rural time prior to 1930 this large two-story Selvig campaigned for hard-surfaced area. The Northwest School of building became the Sathre Apart­ roads, none were fo rthcoming until the Agriculture, a division of the Uni­ ments, 200-210 East Robert and 101 late 1920's, and everyone continued to versity of Minnesota, was located South Ash. get stuck in potholes and mud. The just outside the city limits with main reason for the delay was that the students from all of northwestern The city directory of 1906 lists the Twin Cities' campuses had little or no Minnesota. The Great Northern Queen City Business College at the cor­ paving. was the prin�ipal industry of ner of Robert and Broadway. O.J. Han­ Crookston, the next largest being son was the director. In 1908 there was the Crookston Lumber Company. an "Eclectic Business College" at 105 T.M. McCal1 describes the early There were several grain eleva­ West 2nd Street. Mrs. Julia Hughes transportation problem thus; "The tors and the Crookston Milling was the principal. Later this institution school relied on horse and buggy and Company ground flour the year was moved to the Hughes residence at horse-drawn bus transportation through round, much of which was ex­ 423 Pleasant Avenue, where it existed the early years until the first bus was ported. until about 1935. In 1911 the National put into service in 1918. For transporta­ Crookston also had a few state Business College was located on the tion to and from Crookston , the faculty and many area conventions held upper story of 424 North Broadway. The were given the privilege of driving their here each year. directors were s.o. Mithun and Wallace own farm team hitched to a two-seated Henry. spring wagon. Where the roads were open, the same vehicle was winterized by putting runners on the axles, instead of wheels, as soon as the snow fell in the fal1 .....Students came to spend the entire term with us; each student was provided with a large trunk and a num­ ber of suitcases" .

In 1926 Selvig ran for Congress and was elected. The vacancy at the school was filledby Austin A.Dowell. When he resigned in 1937, he was succeeded by Mr. McCaIl, who had taught horticul­ ture at the school for 25 years. Upon his retirement in 1956, the Board of Re­ gents appointed Bernard E. Young­ quist.

These people all were attending Hughes Business CoIlege in 1929. In the first row One Northwest School graduate, are: unidentified, Claire Nelson, Mildred Leinan, Mrs. Julia Hughes, (owner) Herman Skyberg '16, was elected a re­ Gladys Schlicter, unidentified, and Lola Sampson. In the middle row are Oarence gent of the University of Minnestoa and Arnold, Emma Anderson, Robert Nelson, Oswald Kvennes, Marian Flemino, and held that post from 1949 until his death Olav Vaule. In the back row are MaybeIle Rasmussen, Mrs. Celeste Nelson, in the late '60's. unidentified, Florence Dufault, and Anne HaIler.

42 Universi ty of Mi nnesota founded in 1906

Ever since 1906 the University of Minnesota has had a campus, an agri­ cultural high school and research sta­ tion in Crookston. In 1965, however, the State Legislature decreed that the high school facility should be phased out and a two-year post-secondary institution be set up in its place. The new school, which was then called the University of The students above were among the first to be enrolled in the University of Minnesota­ Minnesota Technical Institute, opened Crookston's (circa 1966) business machines class. In the background is Adolph Beich, its doors in September, 1966, with 185 one of the earliest UMC faculty members and still on the teaching staff. (UMC Photo) students enrolled. Dr. Stanley Sahl­ strom was appointed director. Courses offered were in agriculture and busi­ ness. The first class was graduated in June, 1968, with 70 men and women Glenmore Agassiz receiving associate degrees. In 1968 a third division of study was Family Health Care added to the curriculum, Hotel, Restau­ Foun dationl Inc. rant and Institutional Management. A fo urth was offered in 1973, Home and Family Services, which conducts a 223 East 7th Street Children's Center as part of its pro­ gram. Arts and sciences undergird all the technical programs and have since the school started. BOD College Avenue Branch Clinics: Coordinate campus status was given to the college in 1969, and its name was changed by the Board of Regents to the Erskinel Ada University of Minnesota Technical College. Dr. Sahlstrom has remained as head of the school under the title of Provost. As a coordinate campus the Founded 1973 Founded lS77 University of Minnesota, Crookston, one of four out-state branches of the University, is closely allied with the Twin Cities' campuses administratively. From its small enrollment of 185 jJounbrb 1962 twelve years ago, UMC has now grown into a college of more than a thousand students. From a campus of older build­ ings which had housed the secondary school, the property has evolved into an � OWIl & «ount r p attractive cluster of buildings consisting of the sturdy old and the functional new. For the past fiveyears the college has for WOtnell, also provided continuing education services to people in northwestehl Minnesota by offering low-cost educa­ 11It C. tion!l experiences that make it possible for adults to get an Associate degree or prepare to transfer to a four-year col­ lege or that are designed for enrichment or career development. UMC also spon­ sors workshops and conferences and in 101 many other ways offers the resources and help of the University to everyone. �outfJ rGroa bw ap CHUCK HILLER JANET HILLER In 1979 the college has seventy full­ time and fifteen part-time faculty.

43 � First jfounbeb 1881 WNational Bank 201 ilort b jir0 abblap

Gene H. Sipe Emie HUkey Bob Cameron President Vice President Vice President

John T. Wosepka Joel Tongen Rod Nelson Vice President & Cashier Vice President Vice President

ji

Gayle Birkeland Gerry Henneberg)/ Installment Ass't. Vice President Loan Officer

First National Bank Boardof Directors are, seated [left to right] William J. Kiewel, L.A. Erickson, Leonard Bergan; Standing Meda Buness Betty Brouillet David G. Bang, L.M. Engen, Edward Reitmeier and Gene H. Ass't. Cashier Ass't. Cashier Sipe.

44 Pani c of 1873 Stop s Rai lroad

When Gulik Spokely of Houston County urged his oxen northwest­ ward into this area , he was using a means of transportation common in the settlement of the Red and Red Lake River valleys. A" travel facili­ ties were slow and undependable, even in the seven or eight ice-free months. Though Minnesota had some 2000 miles of steel a few years after Spokely's arrival, Crookston was not completely linked by rail to the rest of the country until the next decade. Besides the ox cart and its covered wagon, there were river boats, horses, horse-drawn vehi­ cles , stage coaches, dog teams, and ice trains. People traveling to this part of Minnesota from their former homes in the East or South or from points of debarkation often used many modes of transportation be­ fore they reached here. Some even walked !

As soon as the settlers had establish­ This is the famous engine, the William Crooks, photographed in 1871. In the group are ed themselves here, better and faster Col . A. DeGraff, who built most of the railway lines in Minnesota in this early period; transportation became indispensable W.B. Litchfield, president of the St. Paul & Pacific Railway; Col. William Crooks, for for the goods they needed and the com­ whom Crookston is named and the road's first chief engineer; Mr. Willmar, representa­ modities they had for sale_ Snow-shoes, tive of the Dutch stockholders; and C.A. Morris, chief engineer in 1871. skiis, sleighs, and dog teams were fine for personal trips, and even the bumpy stage coach was a way to get someplace north to Winnipeg. The boat landing, ing. As for speed, R.M. Probstfield re­ or to carry mail, but to ship your pro­ according to Captain Fred A. Bill of the ports in his diaries that it took him eight duce you needed something more sub­ steamboat company, was at the foot of days plus three hours to make the round stantial. Third Street. trip from Moorhead to Pembina on the Red River. (This information comes Though even steamboats were slow from Drache's "The Challenge of the transportation for passengers, the Prairie. ") Crookston residents will be Further railroad construction, how­ farmers on both rivers along the route interested to know that the Probstfield ever, collapsed in 1872 because of a na­ sold wood to the crews and made a little mentioned was the grandfather of tional financial depression, called the extra income. It took five cords every Evelyn Probstfield(Gese ll), who taught Panic of 1873 . This event was a blow to twelve hours to keep the engines runn- at Central for many years. the infant Crookston, whose residents had been anticipating the extension of A second blow hit the little village in the St. Paul and Pacificfrom Glyndon to 1875 when what was then called the St. Vincent. The railroad crossing of the R.R.V. railroad was extended to Red Lake River was, they had heard, to Fisher's Landing and that settlement be made at the site of what is now became the terminus for river transpor­ Crookston. tation and the important town in this section. Thus ended Crookston's history as a river port and began a few depress­ But in 1874-75 when the extension ing years. Only about 150 people stayed was completed to Crookston, two astute on in the town after this unhappy event men named J.J. Hill and Norman Kitt­ in the march of progress. son, both of whom had had financial interests in the Red River steamboat The very name of the city reflects the operations from about 1870, made long association the town has had with the Burlington Northern Railway. Hon­ Crookston a river port ! Since the Red Lakc rivct' provcd navigable from here ored by the designation is Colonel Wil­ to its mouth, the Red River steamboats liam Crooks, who was chief engineer of ran to Crookston, loaded freight that the Burlington Northern's predecesor, had comc by rail from St . Paul on Hill's The Empire Builder himself, looking Great Northern, when it was building its pioneering line into the area in 1872. At railroad. aud carried it to the junction very benign. James Jerome Hill, of with ,hc Red at Grand Forks and thence course. (Continued on Page 46) 45 (Continued from Page 45) locomotives was largely done. Bigger bearing the proud No. 1 designation in that time the line was called the St. Paul and stronger locomotives were avail­ Great Northern's steam fleet, it was and Pacific. It was reaching out as rap­ able. placed on public exhibition in the St. idly as possible for the then-small com­ Paul Union Depot in April of 1954. munities. which now are the Twin Cities. The venerable $mall steamer has con­ Crookston residents visiting Duluth to­ One goal, and the more immediate, was tinued as a prized Great Northern pos­ day may see the pioneer locomotive, to head for the Red River Valley and its session all through the decades. Still still bearing the name of the man for trade as far north as Winnipeg. With whom their home community was hope, too, the builders eyed westward named in the Minnesota Transportation expansion to the Pacific Coast. The lat­ Museum. ter objective, realized considerably One cold wintry night, the later, had caused them to adopt "St. Great Northern special agent Work easterly from Crookston was Paul and Pacific"as a company name. fo und a man riding on the open undertaken by the St. Paul, Minneapo­ end of the baggage section of lis and Manitoba, and the 45 miles from Colonel Crooks' name lives on in his­ Train No. 8 when it arrived in Crookston Junction (Carman) to Fosston tory, not only through the name of this Crookston. was built in 1888. This line later was thriving city, but also through his distin­ completed across the state via Cass guished record as a colonel of the Sixth The special agent called to the Lake and Cloquet to Duluth. In 1896 the Minnesota Regiment in the Civil War. man to get down. When there was (Continued on Page 47) He is remembered, too, as a representa­ no response, he climbed up on the tive in the state legislature, and later as back of the engine to talk to the a senator there. man. He was shocked to find him covered with ice fromhead to foot 1 he first locomotive operated in which was caused by the blowing Bob Smerud Minnesota and a large adjacent territory snow and steam from the engine. was named for him. The William He was just barely alive and said Office Products Crooks, a wood-burning steam locomo­ he could not move. tive, later converted to coal, arrived in St. Paul by Mississippi river boat in It was necessary to uncouple 1861. In 1862 it inaugurated train ser­ the engine and bring up an ex­ lOS West Second vice on the St. Paul and Pacific's first press truck. With his frozen wet line. This was ten miles long, between clothing, the man was as stiffas a St. Paul and St. Anthony. board. The local police were there also. They arranged to have him "Continuous The William Crooks served well the taken to a hospital to thaw out. St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba service for lS years" Railroad. which James J. Hill. the After a few days, relatives sent ..Empir c Builder". created in 1878 to him money to pay his hospital bill succeed the St. Paul and Pacific. When and �et out of town as a regular the Great Northern itself began in 1890 passenger. and took over the Manitoba. the work of the William Crooks and similar small Golf Terrace Motel Highway 2 &. 7S Horth

Founded 19B3

Ars Body Works and Ar s Auto Acres, Inc.

1002 South Minnesota

This vehicle is called a trap. The horse's name is unknown. but the girls are Grace, Em, Founded 19SB and Olive. The year is 1902.

46 BAKERY DEPT. CHEESE RYE

::;al��f ...... 1 O¢ FRUIT-NUT

:::sdozm ...... 15¢ COFFEE CAKES

:::��: ...... 12¢

Coffee,ATW OOD'S I-lb. vacuum ti .... 27¢ One beautiful embossedn water A cool autumn day and a buggy ride through the woods in 1918. glass FREE with each pound

(Continued from Page 46) territory had been constructed previous­ Manitoba completed the basic network ly, but great impetus came from Hill. of which Crookston was the hub, by con­ Achieving his goal here preceded con­ structing the 32 miles from Halstad to struction westward and later to the Paci­ Crookston Junction. fic Coast. MEAT DEPT. In 1905 the Northern division of the Hill laid his rails first, then labored Small tirelessly to create traffic for his trains. Lb. Great Northern was created, with Weiner. C Crookston as administrative headquar­ He encouraged settlement, then helped 17 ters, located a block from the depot op­ the settler make good. Well did he know posite the main line. Effective in 1922 that a territory had to be productive or the Dakota Division, headquartering at his trains would lack freight and pas­ Grand Forks, was extended to include sengers to carry. He showed .farmers lines formerly in the Northern division. how to improve their methods, institut­ ed experimental farms of his own to Superintendents in charge of the North· ;:rc��' ...... 19¢ ern divisions during those 17 years help them along, preached crop diversi· were, successively, C.H. Jenks, T.F. fication, imported purebred stock, and n .. .. Lowry, F.S. Elliott, P.C. Allen, R.L. helped in establishment of experimental :� .���.�� ��: .. . 17¢ Knebel, T.B. Degnan, L.M. Davis, and stations and schools teaching agricul­ C.A. Manthe. ture.

Hill, founder of the railway and its guiding genius for many years, was im­ pressed with the Red River Valley coun­ try from the start. As a young man, he 1966 had arrived in St. Paul in 1856 from his jfounbeb Canadian birthplace, and was destined to stay. In 1865 Hill had entered the transpor­ 11e150n Jl t r5 tation business in St. Paul on his own. o o · He represented a Mississippi river steamboat firm. By 1870 he was inter· ested in steamboat operation on the Red River. On an early journey to Fort £Jont iac, jiuick, Garry, he observed the surprising growth of wheat sprouting from grain that fell into soil churned by ox cart

When Hill and his associates acquir­ ed the St. Paul and Pacific and created the Manitoba, the first aim was to pro­ 208 �outb:main vide railway service into that area. Some of the mileage in the Crookston 47 "The Hub of aWheel" At one time, Crookston was like the hub of a wheel with lines in six different directions from Crookston on the Great Northern, plus the Northern Pacific which operated a passenger train in each direction between Winnipeg and Manitoba Junction.

In his book, "The Face of Minne­ sota", John Szarkowski says: "Many men built the railroads that Minnesota needed, but the giant among them was Jim Hill, who was perhaps the most praised, most insulted, most sung­ about and joked about in Minnesota his­ tory.

All of the jokes and other apocrypha meant only that even if the people couldn't decide whether or not they ap­ proved of him, they were sure he was a very big man and had done something very important; he had filled Western Minnesota and the Dakotas and Mani­ There's no need to identify Henry's masterpiece. It was being driven on Main St. going toba with settlers and then sweet-talked northduring a Fourth of July parade. Probably about 1910. and bullied them into producing fantas­ tically big harvests for his road to carry Railroad fare from Moorhead to portation. Cars were not common in Eastward. " Crookston and back was $4.10 in 1881. Crookston too early in this century, but For a time Crookston had as many as there were about 500 registered in the The second transportation giant was twelve passenger trains running in and state by 1907, the year in which the first Henry Villard, a German immigrant out of town. Today the one railroad car­ license plates were issued. The need for who completed his Northern Pacific ries only freight. better roads called for the appointment Transcontinental route in 1883. The of a state highway commission by 1906, N.P. had reached the Red River and The American love of the horseless later called the Minnesota Highway De­ Moorhead by 1871, but in 1873 had ex­ carriage turned out to be the nemesis of partment. The first commissioner was .perienced financial problems which de­ the railroad as a means of human trans- Charles M. Babcock, who served until layed its progress northward. In 1889, 1933 and was the originator of Minne­ however, the line was completed both to sota's excellent road system. Crookston and from Winnipeg to Grand GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY Forks. The route from Crookston to Established streets and better roads Grand Forks followed in 1890, giving meant more travel on wheels or horse­ the public a through line from St. Paul NOTICE TO ENGINEMEN back for everybody. The livery stables, to Winnipeg via Crookston. with horses and rigs to rent, and dray and taxi service, were common sights in Engines emitting Smoke, Crookston in 1879 and until the days of Blowing offSteam and the car. If you were wealthy enough, of course, you had your own buggy and Whistling. animal, and a few even had their own barns and carriage houses. Stables were Upper DeCH N umerous compl u i nts run by such early settlers as Stanhope are bci n � rc(.'c· i vcd a bout Collins (he bought the first hearse, too), en�incs emi l ti n � dens(' (Continued on Page 49) Restaurant. vohllnes of slllol

E n ginl'IlH'n a)'(' 1H'I'('h�' C.W. "MiHe" Kludt )'('(1 U('st (·d t o ('X('IT is(' (' a n' 111 1/2 Harth Main :l1ul so I))·(·,·(·nt stu,lt Law-Office compla i nts.

CHIEF CENERAL SUPERINTENDENT. lIB Fletcher Louis Johnson, here about 1872, was a versatile gentleman. Because of the Found ed 1971 small population and the lack of profes­ sionals in these fields, he performed as a veterinarian and an undertaker, as Founded 1952 well as a farmer.

48 (Continued from Page 48) an electrical and the other a tire sales­ T.H. Bjoin, and John Alderman. And, man, started the. Triangle Transporta­ of course you could ride a bike. You tion Company with headquarters here. could buy one in 1908 for as little as $11 The date was April, 1921, according to to $15 from a mail order house, but Mrs. Carlson, who, at the age 95, is a SalemMotors, Inc. earlier their cost was almost prohibitive charming, alert resident of Villa St. Vin­ for the average income - $85 to $145, cent. She is the daughter of Walter before the turn of the century. Despite Latta, pioneer settler in Crookston the cost, bicycling was popular with township. both men and women, and youngsters. The enterprise began with two 18- Ford-Mercury With limited road and street improve­ passenger; heated buses running be­ ments came the buses. Crookston had tween Crookston and Fargo, and soon its own entrepreneur in this business, also to Detroit Lakes. Hence, the name Ed Carlson. who. with two partners, one "Triangle". Later the firm expanded to include more routes and more vehicles: Thief River to Baudette, Bemidji to Highway 2 East Traveling by train from St. Paul Duluth and Detroit Lakes to the Twin to Moorhead in 1872 was hardly a Cities. Via Triangle bus a passenger at luxury tour, according to Charles one time could get a round trip excur· Spendley, one of Crookston's sion fare of $7.70 from Crookston to founders. The roadbed was "new Minneapolis. and indifferent", so much so that Founded lS15 the trains never ran at night. Mr. Carlson retired in the 1950's, selling his individual lines to his On his first day's journey, May drivers, one of whom was Grover Kalb­ 1 , the destination was a place fleisch of this city who began his em­ called Minnesota Junction. To ployment with Carlson in 1924. reach it they had bucked snow all day. The next day (more snow) they arrived in Brainerd at night­ fa ll. On the third. en route to Moorhead. the passengers had to get out of the coaches frequently and hold them up so that they wouldn't tip over! The world looked more like spring as they got within 100miles of Moorhead.

Six miles out of that town, Spendley viewed "emerald green" prairie and early wild flowers. In Moorhead he heard the news that the Manitoba rail­ road would be built and a town wou'ld be laid out at the crossing of the Red Lake River. Excited, he started the next day via Grand Forks for that crossing point, found the site. and staked his claim. And so we have Spendley Street! Ed Carlson beside one of his Triangle Lines buses.

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49 Early Settlers Experienced Is olat ion from Lack of Communication

The old saw, "Distance lends en­ was a bit of news for all - when tices were the chief support upon which chantment" may apply to romance, shared. the pioneer publisher leaned. but don't ever believe it lent any­ thing but disenchantment to settlers Wherever there was a post office, and alone on a wild trackless prairie in considerable quantities of Government By 100 years ago all this had the 70's. And distance wasn't the land posted officially for public notice, changed with the extension of the only communication handicap for industrious editors would pitch their telephone and telegraph lines, the those early homesteaders. Unless tents .equipped with a big case of non­ improvement of roads, and the local they lived close to some other family pardI type for settingland notices and a printing of newspapers. Even those who spoke their language, they cigarbox full of long primer for setting far outside the town limits were now were equally isolated. Thus, there the two or three inches of news and in communication with other were frequent huddles of nationality editorial. people. groups in the area, and these were suspicious of anyone who didn't speak the same tongue.

Finally, in the early 20's there was radio and in the 50's, televi­ sion. Fast transportation made the Dlson/s delivery of newspapers and maga­ zines as speedy in rural areas as in the urban centers. Sometimes Sarber Stylist Even in towns where people lived today, in our noisy world, we still close together and could chat say, "Distance lends enchant­ among themselves, news of the out­ ment", and we all want to rush off side world was infrequent, brought to a wilderness area or a mountain Horth Main only by travelers and newcomers 122 top. and garnered from publications that arrived weeks or months late. Of course, the post office recieved an Founded 1953 occasional letter either by stage or In the early history of area newspa· train and what was a letter for one pers, the final proofs and contest no-

jJounbrb 1885

124 �outlJ jiroabttJap

50 Three dollars for final proof notices had been chopped out of the ground on and five dollars for contest notices was Main Street, one or two stores had been the rate allowed by the government. established; the Pioneer Hotel had been fhe notices had to be published in the erected, and the tin horn gambler, the Founded lSSS newspapers nearest the land. Some of tent saloon and the dance hall were the newspapers carried as high as two established institutions. or three pages of land notices, set in solid nonpareil, and their incomes from It looked as if Crookston was to be this source ran as high as 5150 or 5200 a "some town" and Mr. Cooke wisely de­ week. cided to leave Audubon and move his plant here. The Polk County Journal, E.M. Walsh established the Crook­ the first paper to be printed and pub­ ston Plaindealer in 1874, becoming Polk lished in the county, was established in County's first editor and publisher. It 1878. was printed in Grand Forks at the Grand Forks Plaindealer, established and con­ Cooke was not as good a business ducted by his brother, George. manager as he was an editor, and while the Journal prospered fairly well, it did Montague's Involved in many other activities at not make any big fortune for its owner. the time (postmaster, storekeeper, real (When he died in 1900, Mrs. Cooke took estate dealer and land locater), Walsh charge for a short while and then sold it gladly transferred the burden of jour­ to N.S. Gordon. Gordon began a daily nalism to John McLean, a competitor edition, which continued with ups and Flower Shop who had arrived from Audubon to esta­ downs under various managements blish the Polk County Journal. The until 1910 when it was finally discontin­ Plaindealer ceased operation about ued. The plant was purchased and the 1876. paper merged with the Times.)

The Journal, like the Plaindealer, was An interesting visitor to the arena of at the time a branch of another publica­ journalism arrived about 1880, "Broad­ tion. It was the offspring of the Audu­ axe Brown", the only name he was bon Journal, published by Harvey E. known by, was editor of a pUblication Cooke. The Polk County Journal was known as "The Broadaxe". printed in Audubon for several months afterit was established here. The motto of the newspaper was lIS West Itobert "Hew to the line, let the chips fall The Crooskton offspring soon reached where they may." And so they did. a stature where it over-topped its parent in subscriptions, according to W.E. The line was a rather crooked one in McKenzie in the 1916 edition of Polk Brown's case, but the chips were plenti­ County History. ful and many was the good citizen who was banged in the neck because of one About that time Crookston began to of them. assume the airs of a civilized commun­ ity. Settlers were coming in, the trees

Sill Montague

Holding an issue of his Crookston Times, no doubt, Publisher W.E. McKe!lzie contem­ plates the muck and mire of Crookston streets in 1879.

51 �ol comb, 1SnubgOll & (!Co. C!Certifieb �ub lie �eeo unta nt5 .member of �ltttrican 1Jnstitute of C!Certifieb �ublie �eeountant5

117 �ou tb 18roabwap

Stephen A. Wright - 1968 - Resident Partner - Crookston, MN.

Gerald C. Knudson - 1954 - Grand Forks, N.D.

Boyd D. Holcomb - 1957 - Alexandria, MN.

Robert T. Poissant - 1968 - Thief River Falls, MN.

Terrance J. McKenna - 1971 - Grand Forks. N.D.

Richard W. Anderson - 1975 - Thief River Falls, MN.

Henry S. Krigbaum - 1978 - Bemidji, MN.

Collin C. Peterson - 1978 - Detroit Lakes, MN.

Gary E. Ankerfelt - 1978 - Detroit Lakes, MN.

Thomas A. Culmer - 1978 - Devils Lake, N.D.

Jeffrey W. Dinham - 1978 - Alexandria, MN.

Lloyd C. Berryman - 1978 - Bemidji, MN.

1954-1974 1974-1979

52 As an offensive scandal sheet of its day, it never made the popularity polls . and Its career was a short but exciting one. Begun in the spring of 1880, the Broadaxe ceased to "hew" in the fall. jfounbeb 1948 The last issue, printed on butcher's wrapping paper, contained Brown's frank, if not overly elegant opinion of the town and a lot of the leading citi­ zens. Following this, he made a hasty exit during �he dark of night, leaving : behmd unpaId bills and many citizens with grievances to avenge.

In 1881, W.R. Dunn, a young news­ l\abio �tation paper man in s�arch of a location. drift­ ed in this direction. He found Crookston a thriving town of over 1,000 people, the county seat of the County big enough, (!Eagles j8uilbing and rich enough in natural resources, to support a nation. Cooke, with his Polk County Journal, was fighting the battle for education and reform all alone. 105 �outb j8roabtuap Dunn decided to join the battle and opened the Crookston Chronicle.

The Chronicle was newsy, well-edited and Dunn was an able writer, straight forward in his convictions and admired for his business methods. The Chronicle The Crookston Tribune - first a prospered and in short time, became weekly, then a daily and then a memory the leading paper in Northern. Minne­ - was a later Crookston venture. It was published by Hammond and Allen, the sota. Due to the ill health of the editor in In 1937, two of Cropkstori's res­ former a good, practical printer, but not 1884, the Chronicle was sold to J.G. idents were mentioned in two a trained newspaper man; the latter, a McGrew. Dunn moved to Washington, leading national weeklies. Danny humorist, whose forte was on the D.C. where he eventually secured a Boone, owner-manager of the vaudeville stage instead of the editorial government appointment in the census Crookston Pirates, was mention­ sanctum. After the Tribune's demise, bureau. ed in an article in Collier's. And Hammond went back to setting type and in the Saturday Evening Post V.L. Allen began doing monologue stunts in McGrew, a lawyer, had been practic­ MacGregor had his picture in a tank towns. ing in Crookston several years prior to full page Nash Motors advertise­ his purchase of the Chronicle. He was ment. Boone was mentioned in an When the Crookston Chronicle gave not a success as a newspaper man. He article on Casey Stengel, major up the ghost in 1885, the plant was was a profound and able editorial writer league manager and former play­ but not a good news gatherer or busi­ taken over by C.C. and Harry Knappin er. Stengel was one of the great - the latter a well known political writer ness manager. He soon realized this scrappers of his day and in the who worked on Twin City papers for and turned the paper over to a nephew, course of describing his battles, a who was even more proficient in his in­ many years. They published Crook­ ' scrap with Danny Boone was ability to make ends meet in a financial ston s People ' s Press. This was in the mentioned. In commenting on the days when Populism was rampant in the way. article Boone says it wasn't much political bull ring. From then it passed of a scrap as only two blows were to A.R. Holston, a socialistic attorney. W.H. Palmer and his son, Harry, struck. The first blow was when He was succeeded by C.T. Hagen (later were She next to try to rejuvenate the Casey Stengel hit Danny and the paper. They tried it as a daily, unsuc­ publisher of the Vasterheimen who add­ second was when Danny hit the ed a prohibition hue to its editorial pol­ cessfully, and in a month or two discon­ ground. tinued it for good. icy. Elias Steenerson, then postmaster, had it wished on him and it became the In 1885, T.J. Rothpletz, a Southern distinguished exponent of pure and un­ fire-eating Democrat, began the Red defiled Republicanism. It was later pur­ If you look closely at this ad 11889) Lake Falls Democrat, but the surround­ chased by Crawford and Egley and be­ you'll notice it states that their soap pro· came a semi-weekly. ings were not congenial to one of his duct is superior to all other soaps for the fiery temperament. The Chronicle was teeth as well as the hair and body! then on its downward journey to obli­ vion. and he came to Crookston in the summer of 1885 to launch a Democratic paper, naming it the Times. Everything went fine until he experienced the icy The first postmaster's certifi­ blasts of Minnesota winters. Longing cate issued in Crookston to for the sunny. southern climate, he sold Edmund M. Walsh is on file in .(·"Rlt1:t:� SOAPi!" made only from eWCl:1 (,live 011 by a MIf!f!IOQ Society in Palt:l'tine. Bt:inJ.:' abNO­ the paper to his chief newsman and the archives of the Polk County h,�ely pu:re 8J.ld .P�t'�t:"tlilll: lhl' emollient pr(1)­ crtu:" (lr Olin! 011. If 1:< ulllmrpn:

53 The Vasterheimen was a Scandina­ vian paper started in Crookston in the Cry s tal Sets Founded 19B7 early nineties by Adolph Bydol. A.J. Johnson and C.T. Hagen were later publishers. It had an .extensive circula­ for a Dollar- Thomforde's tion and much influence among the Scandinavian readers and continued as In the fall of 1920 the hour-by-hour a weekly until the mid 1900's. returns of the Harding-Cox presidential Lawn & election were broadcast from Pitts­ In addition to the Vasterheimen, pub­ burgh, the very first commercial radio lished at 221 N. Broadway (near Emer­ broadcast in the U.S.A. Although Garden Center son Ins. location), a 1906 Telephone Crookston was in its 41st year, nobody Directory also listed the following news­ here heard that program. papers: Bud og Hilsen, a weekly pub­ Highway 75 South lished at 413 W. Robert St. (no informa­ But two years later, in May of 1922, tion available); Crookston Daily Times WDAY in Fargo came on the air and (evening) published at 109 W. 2nd St. was heard by a few Crookston residents. I n memorial: (site of Shoes 'N Such); the Polk County Many used simple home-made "crystal Journal (weekly) and Crookston Press sets", made for a dollar or so with a (weekly) published at 115 W. Robert St. small lump of the mineral "galena", a (site of Montagues Flower Shop) and coil of wire and an antenna and a the Crookston Press, a weekly (no in­ ground. Although no power .of any kind formation available) also published at was required, the Fargo station could be 221 N. Broadway. heard clearly on headphones. At that time the idea of voices through the air was magicl

Other stations came on the air month­ ly all over the nation during the early and mid-twenties, and Crookston people bought hundreds of battery-op­ erated radios featuring the loudspeaker to permit whole families to listen with­ LucilleTh omforde out using headphones. But those sets . were expensive so about·a dozen Crook­ ston radio "hams" built their own radio 1913-197B sets. They mcluded Rene Vaudrin, Lyle Borkenhagen, Bill Farley, Clayton Crosier, Bill Kiewel, Louis Jenkins, Frank Thompson, Ed Boh, and Bud Nelson. The overwhelming fascination F.L. Flack, editor of the Crookston Daily of the new science, and the grip it took Tribune, a staunch Republican news· on the minds of young men in those paper whose motto was "All the news days is demonstrated by the fact that for all the people ... fairness in politics." each and everyone of those named were

jfounbeb 1926 Harold Thomforde 1Iul1n'5 3/eweler5

109 .110rtb Jjroabb.1ap

•

John Thomforde lIban

54 later to adopt radio or electronics as a Live broadcasts were popular at that director. Two others who have been profession. time and Crookston people came to the with KROX from its beginning are KROX studios to watch such artists as Butch Melbye, sales manager, and Don All of the same experimenters shared "Lillian and Her Westerners", who are Mulvaney, chief announcer. in a bonanza in the mid-1930's when Lillian and Bill Kelly, still in Crookston, electric radios were invented to replace and "Tex and His Bronco Busters", the sets that required cumbersome, ex­ Homer Reese and Harvey Beteen. pensive, smelly sets of wet and dry (Harvey still lives here). Rosita Elling­ cells. Almost overnight battery oper­ son sang sultry songs and played the ated radios became worthless. Local ex­ piano from the KROX studio some even­ perimenters bought them, many in ings. large, handsome, hardwood consoles for as little as 25c, just to dismantle for In 1949 the original owners sold the parts. Some parts were used for radio business to four of their KROX em­ transmitting by local "ham" operators, ployees: Jerry Dahlberg, Bill Kiewel, who talked to friends all over the world. Ed Boh, and Gary Fox. At about the same time F. C. C. authorization was By 1940 almost everyone in Crookston received to operate the station day and had at least one radio and a choice of a night provided another tower was built Using this firsttransmitter, KROX went dozen stations, but the really clear ones next to the existing one 1 Yl miles north on the air for the first time on April 25, remained WDA Y in Fargo and KILO in of Crookston and provided the fre­ 1948. Grand Forks (which came on the air that quency was changed from 10SOKc to year). In 1946 KTRF in Thief River Falls 1260Kc. All of that was done, more staff went on the air and built a secondary was hired, and a decision was made to Ingenuity was a resource com­ studio in Crookston on the top floor of open remote studios in eight small mon to most pioneers and certain­ the Eagles hall where the Eagles for­ towns around Crookston so that resi­ ly not lacking among those who m r1y had their bar and lodgeroom. dents of those towns could have their � had settled in Crookston. When Radio broadcasts from Crookston personal voice on the air. It was a novel winter came on strong and the began, through KTRF, in 1947. idea, conceived at KROX by Butch railroad did not run, merchants in Melbye, and since copied throughout the community had to devise In that same year four far-sighted the nation. Remote studios were soon some method of bringing their Crookston men realized that Crookston opened in Ada, Bagley, Fertile, freightfro� Glyndon, the nearest needed its own radio station and formed Fosston, Hallock, McIntosh, Red Lake rail point. Undaunted, the citi­ a corporation to build KROX. They were Falls, and Warren, and news was zens fitted up a flat car with plat­ D.A. McKenzie, publisher of the Crook­ broadcast from each town each day. forms, mast, and sail, with which ston Daily Times, R.J. DeWaard, man­ they sailed down and back, bring­ ager of Bridgeman Creameries, Arnold In the 1950's all four new owners ing goods from the termination of Jensen. who operated an electric appli­ worked actively at KROX, but by the road to the town. These con­ ance store, and Roger Briden, an area October of 1961 only Dahlberg and traptions were called "sail cars" farmer. They acquired the studios Kiewel remained. They had acquired or "car-yachts". Anyway, they KTRF had built in the Eagles building the stock of the others and today are did the job. Both E.M. Walsh and for the use of KROX and put KROX on co-owners of the station. Both have Delos Jacobus, in their memoirs,· the air on April 25, 1948, with a staff of worked there full time since 1948, Dahl­ recall their use between 1873 and five and broadcast hours limited to sun­ berg as program and sports director, 1875, and even as late as 1877, up to sundown. and Kiewel as manager and technical Jacobus writes. Jacobus says the rigs sometimes carried passen­ gers. When the snow became too deep, sleighs drawn by oxen or dog teams replaced the "yachts".

If you've ever wondered about the usefulness ofthe Valley's tur­ bulent winds, that's your answerl

Bope's Bouse of Beauty 2D2 West • 2nd Street Founded lBSS Bill Kiewel, leftand Ed Boh make a fmal check before the firstbroadcast.

55 Industry Thrived In Red Ri ver Valley

Industry and business in the city have, almost from the beginning, been generally agriculutrally orient­ ed; in fact, the coinage of the word "agri-business" probably origi­ nated in communities like Crook­ ston. Of course, the city has always had businesses that one finds in any town -- those that take care of basic human needs. In addition, though, there are those that are in­ digenous to the climate adn general topography; manufacturers and dis­ tributors of drainage supplies, building requirements, machinery, recreational equipment, and cars and accessories.

EARLY CROOKSTON BUSINESS INDUSTRY

- by Harold Thomforde

As we look at the early history it ap­ pears that the city was destined right from the beginning to become a busi­ ness and trade center. One of these early indications is the fact that Crook­ ston was on the early routes of the fur traders traveling between Winnipeg Must have been a long hard day for the boys at the saw mill. Or is that a "three-days­ and St. Paul. Likewise, many of the before-pay-day" expression on this group in 1910? early railroad locations were favorable for rail development into the area. had a machine and welding shop across fire in 1964. Harold Thomforde was the Steamships ran up the Red Lake River the street from the present Otter Tail last manager. to Crookston, loading and unloading Power Co. office. This business con· freight. thence on to Fisher, Grand tinued into the 1930's. w.n. Bailey and The Miller Tanning Company was es­ Forks, and Winnipeg. Even the early W.E. Walker ran a planing mill and tablished in the late 1890's and was the land "squatters" helped. They only sash and door factory. first tannery north of the Twin Cities. It located where the grass was thick and continued for many years. lush, indicating a rich soil. Therefore Burkhardt and Walters established they not only helped to develop the land the first brewery in the city. The Kiewel Crookston was a city of many hotels. in our area but they made available man family came later with a good sized In the 1890's the Commercial Hotel was power needed for work in the city. brewery, and this continued to operate rated as the most important. Others until prohibition forced its closing, were the Cleveland House, the St. Louis never to reopen. Crookston had two pop Hotel, Germania Hotel, Lennox, the It was in 1878 that the proverbial factories at one time, Bang's and Minnesota House, the Hotel Crookston, corner was turned, and Crookston, a Becker's. With Becker's death, the busi­ the Montreal House, and the Palace city of approximately 300 people, start­ ness was closed. The Bang enterprise Hotel. ed to grow with better times and prog­ went from the founders to George Bang ress following. Railroad land was and his brothers. opened for sale to those who would farm, and 4100 homestead entries were As early as 1878 Martin Hoover start­ made here. ed a flour mill in Crookston and adver­ tised that the Crookston Flouring Mills would start operation on Nov. 4, 1878. Some of the earliest business houses Shortly after the turn of the century, the in Crookston sold harnesses, groceries Crookston Milling Company was organ­ and meats. and tin supplies. There were ized by Marcus Johnson, S.M. Sivert­ repair shops for wheels and carts used son, and J.J. Padden. This company in hauling freight. One of the first major continued to grow from manufacturing firms to be established was a large gen­ just bread flour to the milling of durum eral store run by William Anglim and and semolina, flours used in the manu­ Louis Fontaine. In the '80's there was a fa cturing of macaroni. The firm manu­ cigar factory opened by H.T. Brown, fa ctured as much as 1500 barrels of He really belongs to Minneapolis, but which had a successful operation for flour per day. Later a feed plant was he did a lot for Crookston with his saw some years. Tom and Jim Morrissey added. The buildings were destroyed by mill. His name was Thomas B. Walker.

S6 1904 CITYDIRECfORY

It's 1904, folks, and here's the new city directory. Population is 7,377. Let's see what the town provides. Well, we have six ele­ mentary schools and one high school. Should be getting educa­ ted. Fifteen churches-and the Sal­ vation Army. Great! Eight news­ papers, two of them Norwegian. Everyone should know what's go­ ing on. Sixteen hotels for conven­ tioners and weary travelers and thirty-eight lodges and clubs, where, they say "the good fel­ lows (and girls) get together". Of The Oyster Bay Lunch Room at Main and Robert (southwest corner) was run by Gilbert course, four breweries and 29 sa­ Bang and his wife. Note the ads for "An Irishman's Troubles" to be given at the Opera loons. What a thirsty crew in this House on July 17. town!

Well, here's something more An early Abs tract- Title firm sober - four banks! Someone a­ round here is thrifty. The Bank of In 1889, an abstract of title business treasurer until his retirement in 1958. Crookston is at 102 West 2nd, known as the Christian Brothers hired later called Crookston State Bank Christian C. Strander, a citizen who had Herman Strander, son of Christian C. (razed); the First National Bank, arrived in 1888 and obtained work as a worked periodically for the firm from at 124 No. Broadway (1883); the clerk in the Register of Deeds office. 1915 until he became vice-president and Merchant's National (1884), �t treasurer about 1927. With the death of 201 No. Main (Janecky Building); Because of the fast growth of the his fa ther in 1936, he became president and the Scandia National Bank area, with settlers and newcomers de­ and held that position until his death in (1887), 124 West Robert (former siring proof of title to their land, busi­ 1973. Erickson, Erie and Odland of­ ness boomed and Christian Strander be­ fices). came a partner in 1894. In 1907 the The firm is owned today by Leonard business was incorporated as Strander Erickson and Kenneth Erie with Reed Here's the Crookston Public • Abstract and Investment Company with Bennen as president, Leonard Erickson, Library and the Gymnasium As­ c.c. Strander, who held the controlling secretary, and Kenneth Erie, treasurer. sociation, both at 123 East interest, president (until his death in Robert. Healthy minds and 1976); 0.0. Christianson, vice presi­ healthy bodies, you know. Sorry, dent, and O. W. Peterson, secretary­ building was torn down. treasurer. In 1910 Adolph Morek be­ came secretary and later secretaty- Ability Concrete & Construction Co. Inc. 1427 Foskett St. Box 501 Founded 1977

One of the earlier cleaning establishments in Crookston was Pantorium Cleaners, formerly located at 104 West Second Street. Founded in 1914 by Harry and Ray Dickel, it was later managed by their son, AI. The business was sold in 1976 and Mrs. Ray Dickel remains a verv active, well­ known resident at the age of 86. [he Crookston Roller Mill was owned by M. Hoover. It began operations on Nov. 4, 1878, with the firstclass miller and new machines. Bernhard Sampson was part owner. 57 Crookston I ndust r� was Imporant to Growth

A.O. Espe, who in 1899 established a machine shop and implement business in Crookston, employed his unusual in­ ventive genius, and developed a gas tractor. introduced in 1907. In 1909 he built in his new shop in Crookston, a four-plow tractor to manufacture and market, and a company was formed here. Later the machinery was built in Minneapolis on a contract basis. The patent was sold to the Avery Co. He also built a disc harrow, a land roller, and a beet loader.

Shortly after the turn of the century a large lumber saw mill was constructed and operated for some years by T. B. Walker. but eventually had to cease operation due to a lack of pine trees for lumber upstream on the river. History Part of the saw mill property, with saw dust burner in the background. writers seem to question why this mm was ever started when there was such a scanty lumber supply. While it operated it was good for Crookston. Up to 700 The Red River Alfalfa Dehydrating people were employed at one time. Company was established by Earl Saul in the 1950's. With his death the firm Joseph LaBlanc, butcher, Established in Crookston in 1919, the passed into the hands of his daughter bought 80 acres of railroad land Elk River Concrete Products Co. had and son-in-law, Betty and Ralph Eick­ adjoining what is now Jerome's P.H. Gramer of this city as its first hof. They are large processors of alfalfa Addition for 58 an acre. The date salesman. followed by his son Earl. and hay products, and distribute not was 1877. only throughout the United States but to Associated with the firm for 40 years several foreign markets. Felix Fournet built the three­ is Leonard M. Svedahl of Crookston, story block that bears his name in who retired in 1972 as superintendent of 1885. It cost $15,000. One year the company. All types of concrete pipe In 1952 plans were made by the later Frank Jerome constructed and other concrete products are manu­ American Crystal Sugar Co. to construct the St. Louis Hotel (also three fa ctured by the firm. used for culverts, a large sugar refinery here. This plant stories) for 59,000. highways and bridges. the largest being was completed in 1955, and that was the 108 inches in diameter, according to year the first crop was processed. The Burkhardt Brewery in 1889 Svedahl. was valued at 540,000.

Walter D. Bailey, who came here in 1874, bought Lariviere's general store, then sold it, and became a partner in Walker's planing mill. Besides lumber in­ terests. he was a fur trader, own­ er of two farms, and part owner of an iron mine at Tower.

Liquor dealers in Crookston and other border towns struck a bonanza in the '80's because of the town's proximity to North Dakota. North Dakota, you see, was dry!

The Sears catalog for 1908"lists ladies' shoes for 92 cents to 52.85 a pair. and children's from 48 to

79 cents. You could shod baby for • a little as 29 cents. If Pa needed a suit, one was available for as low as 57.50. The most expensive kit­ chen range was 516.73, and a cozy coal-burning parlor stove (with isinglass) was under 525. Ben (left) and Onesieme Capistran (right) working with hammer and vise in their machine shop.

58 In 1960 a group of local businessmen and Vern Hagen of East Grand Forks completed negotiations to construct a potato chip processing plant here. This industry continued for some years and then was sold to Foremost-McKesson Dairy Corporation. They continued this business for several years and then sold to.the J.R. Simplot Company. The firm grew remarkably under their manage­ ment. Then in May, 1978, the company had a disastrous fire here, resulting in a 33B James loss of over 55,000,000, and at present has no plans to rebuild. Founded 1973 Presently Crookston is fortunate to' have two firms manufacturing needed equipment and implements for farm use. Gust Swenson and Sons, Inc. have had several outstanding developments for beet growers as well as for general Some biggies on the way to the Walker farming. The Red River Distributing Saw Mill. Agassiz Co. has been a fast-growing company, manufacturing a number of implements Interna tio nal for farming and fertilizer needs. They Crooks ton also distribute through a good part of the United States and into Canada. Chamber Travel, Inc. The Dahlgren Company started a sunflower plant in the middle 1960's. of Commerce This firm has continued to grow locally 1312 Horth Front and in national importance, becoming Forerunners of the Crookston Cham­ one of the largest sunflower processing ber of Commerce were active in the plants in the nation. They process both same capacity as far back as the 1880's Founded1972 oil and confectionery seeds. About 1963 in attempting to advertise Crookston the firm was sold to Beatrice Foods, Inc. and the area. Among some of these which continues to operate it. early promoters were: E.M. Walsh, E.C. Davis, Richard Hussey, John Dar­ Crookston, because of its agricul­ kow, Bernhard Sampson, Peter Corne­ turally oriented importance, has a num­ lius, Robert Houston, W.M. Ross, Alex ber of very fine seed-cleaning plants, MacGregor and Bert Childs. Gossline Electric fertilizer-blending operations, and farm implement dealers with all major farm Among their early accomplishments implement lines distributed locally. was securing a Post Office, a general 5 store, a tin and hardware store and 20 5th Crookston has come a long way in the horseshoeing establishments. Always establishment of a good business com­ endeavoring to keep Crookston on the munity because there have been men main route for fur trading from Canada Avenue South and women over the past 100 years with to St. Paul, civic leaders promoted rail­ the real pioneer ambition to make roads through the area. things better. With its location, in the very heart of the Red River Valley on According to Harold Thomforde, who Founded 113 important transcontinental highways, retired as Executive Vice President of there is no reason why the city cannot the Chamber this year (1979) the pres­ continue to grow and develop. ent day Chamber was not in organiza­ tion form until the late 1920' s. Earlier promotional groups were known as the Commerical Club, Crookston Civic Massey Assn., Businessmen's Club and Crook­ Crookston Concrete ston Assn. Public Affairs, among Ferguson Inc. others. and Supply Co. Early day Chamber secretaries were part-time workers or semi-retired busi­ nessmen, among them Charles F. 12Dl South Main Bundy, a former banker. In the 1940's 14Dl Carroll Street Dan Wiley took an active part as Cham­ ber Secretary, and was followed in 1951 by James Basham, who became Exe­ cutive Vice President and actually the Founded 1972 Founded 1932 first trained professional leader of the organization.

59 Basham started many new programs Eickhof Construction Walker & Sons here, among them tourism. During the 1950's, transportation and highway con­ Chris Eickhof arrived in Crookston in The Walkers, father and son, were struction were of major interest, the 1882. During his youth in Germany -he:; the operators of a flourishing planing promotional committee including: S. S. was apprentice to a contractor for three' mill, established in 1882. The father, (Sherm) Daniels, Joe Sekula, Al Harold, years and studied architecture at a Walter, was originally in partnership Harold Thomforde and Phil Hamre. technical school in Buxtehude. with W.J. Bailey for a year and then This group gained a major victory in the with Joseph Netzer, but within another location of highway 75 into Canada on He established the Chris Eickhof twelve months Netzer retired and the the east side of the Red River and Construction Company in 1882, and son, William E., became the partner C through rookston. The committee many homes and buildings in Crookston under the firm name of Walker & Son. twice appeared before the Manitoba were constructed in the years that fol­ The senior Mr. Walker retired in 1888, Legislature to plead its case. Their suc­ lowed. His son, Otto, became a partner passing the business to his son. The mill cess resulted in the Pine to Palm High­ in 1910 and the firm was renamed Chris turned out sash, doors, molding, other way, from the pines of Manitoba to the Eickhof and Son. Chris died in 1934 and building materials, cedar posts, and palms to Gulf of Mexico. the Eickhof Construction Company con­ telephone and telegraph poles. It em­ tinued under Otto's leadership. His ployed about 20. The plant was located The Chamber Highway committee sons, Ralph and John, have operated at Elm and Fifth Streets. also spent much time to keep Highway the business since his death in 1974. as a U. S. Trans-Continental Highway.

Other progress in the 1950's was the first time a Crookston member, George Campbell was named to the Agricultur­ al committee of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce ,and. held the position for several years. Later, Campbell, was ap­ pointed, to the Duluth Port Authority when it was organized in 1955.

Harold Thomforde, a lifelong Crook­ ston resident and former mayor, be­ came the executive vice president in 1973 and remained until his retirement this year (1979).

Under his regime the Chamber help­ ed to get the Northwest Regional Devel­ opment Center office to locate in Crook­ ston. Always interested in dam and flood control he continued working with the U. S. Corps of Army Engineers; and too, much effort was given to highway . improvement in the area working close- ly with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Charles Ross, a leading contractor in Bob Gustafsen succeeded him as early 1900's, constructed the Carnegie Nathan P. Stone, pioneer implement executive vice president. Library at 120 North Ash. dealer.

River. looking chilly; G. N. railroad tracks and loading platforms; and the Crookston Milling Co. admonishing everyone to "use Cremo Flour". It was a good product!

60 jfounbeb 1906

� te US b 0 £1 jfun era I J!.J0 me

303 �outfJ 1ti1ain

Nels P. Stenshoel 1906·1941

Founded 1906

Emma Stenshoel 1941·1968 Dean Jacobsen, 1968·1975

Jim Bredman 1975·present 1979 View

61 Mechanical inventive genius was not lacking here in the 80's. In addition to A.O. Espe, men­ tioned in Harold Thomforde's ar­ ticle on industry, W.H. Olds

- established the first garage in , . northern Minnesota in 1899. Olds built the first autombile in Crook­ ston in 1896, an electric car, which he owned and drove in the area. His garage and bicycle shop were on North Main between Second and Third, where the First National Bank parking lot is.

The Kiewel Brewery. Alexander MacGregor, grand­ father of Janet and Lester, turned In 1898 Jacob Kiewel and his son, across the border to Winnipeg and is out a machine to kill quack grass. Charles, came to Crookston from Little still operating there. Falls. They purchased a small brewery Gust Swenson, who arrived in at the south end of Front Street. Part of Crookston in 1931, was employed the same building is now occupied by William T. Carlisle was a very enter­ by A.O. Espe from 1933 to 1945. Torkelson Repair. prising merchant associated with a well Establishing a small business in a known wholesale grocery firm in Crook­ garage behind his home in 1946, Charles borrowed $3,000 from his ston in 1905. The grocery stores in (later expanded into Gust Swen­ father and together they bought all Crookston, service by wholesale houses, son & Sons) he proceeded to stock and organized the Kiewel Brewing would take orders by phone and deliver develop the first folding 12 row Co. Within a few years they had built a them by horse-drawn wagons or by beet cultivator used in the area. barn for the horses and wagons used for cutters in the winter. local deliveries and increased their ship­ ments by rail to SIX states. A new well was dug from which "water was boiled for ten hours to make it perfectly pure" according to an existing label. Did you know???? In the late A large variety of alcoholic drinks 1800's, Main Street in Crookston were produced in differentfla vors. They was the alleyway that runs north included "White Seal Beer", and south behind Rock's Jewelry? "Creamo", "Echo", "Cream of Malt That today Crookston has an "A" Tonic" , "Red Ribbon Beer" and street which runs north and south "Kiewel's Sunset". When prohibition in front of Gust Swenson & Sons? began in 1920, the factory was moved

CrooKston W.J. Murphy completely rebuilt the Crookston Water Works, Power, and Irishman's Shanty Aviation, Inc. Light Company in 1892.

Harlan's CrooHston lSDl South Main Body Shop Municipal Airport

Highway'S South Founded lS4S FoundedlS'S Founded ISSS

62 T own Undertakers During the early years of the city's growth, many individuals were called upon to fill in at jobs requiring certain services still absent in Crookston. Burial ofthe deceased was one in par­ ticular and the undertaking profession was often an adjunct to the furniture business. Three of the earliest undertakers fo und in an old 1884 hotel directory were: Ruebin Woodham who operated the Crookston Furniture Store, M.C. Malone. a dealer in furniture and household goods and Paul Bataglia, who owned a home furnishing goods store. Another pre-1900 undertaker in Crookston was G.S. Chesterman, His establishment was located at 106th North Broadway in the area of the Polk County State Bank parking lot and later at 218 North Broadway. It was pur­ chased Qy,toseph Houske (1929) who had prFvlously established his funeral The operators came equipped with long arms! A 1929 view of the city's telephone home in the Opera Block on Main Street exchange. (1926). He retired in 1966 and his son Glenn, who operated and enlarged the business, sold it in 1977 to Gary Nathan. phone Exchange Company, the fore­ Jorgen Nokelberg purchased it in 1978 Crookston runner of NorthwesternBell . and is the current owner. In 'i906 Neis P. Stenshoel began the In 1907 the new company changed the Stenshoel Funeral Home and in 1920 Telephone History Crookston telephone exchange from a introduced Crookston's firSt motorized magneto system with crank type phones funeral carriage. In later years he in­ to a common battery system with lift­ vented and patented equipment for The telephone was a failure the first the-receiver type instruments. time it was introduced in Crookston, but embalmers' use and provided the city with its first ambulance. In the mid electric lights succeeded. Both were in­ In March of 1958 the manual system 1930's his daughter Emma Stenshoel troduced in 1882 by the Crookston Tele­ was changed to dial operation. Direct operated the fu neral home until her re­ phone, Telegraph Exchange and Elec­ Distance Dialing (DDD) was introduced tirement in 1968. The funeral home was tric Light Company, under the direction in November, 1972, and Crookston tele­ purchased then by Dean Jacobsen and of Delos Jacobus. Then a new company phone customers had the nation at their " in 1975 by James Bredman, the present was fo rmed to provide electric service. fingertips. It ultimately developed into the com­ owner. pany which provides electric service to­ day. jfounb"eb The telephone exchange was not so 1973 successful . It started with"fewer than a dozen customers and a long distance line to Red Lake Falls. The exchange closed for lack of business. Service was " «Ottntrp 1!iteb en re-established in 1894 by the Crookston Telephone Company when 50 customers promised to subscribe for at least one oks year. By 1900, the number of customers «ro to 11, 1111e. had increased to 180.

In 1901, the exchange was sold to the IrOp.Ra nge Electric Company, which al­ so operated telephone exchanges in �igbwap Bemidji, Cass Lake, Grand Rapids, and Hibbing. The new company immediate­ ly installed a new switchboard which 2 & 75 Jlor tb was capable of serving up to 400 cus· tomers.

In 1905, the properties of the Iron Range Company, including Crookston, were sold to the Northwestern Tele-

63 . departmentstore . The shop and kitchen Widman were first located in the small frame Coca-Cola building next tothe Times. Thenin 1917 George moved into and pruchased the y Candy Company present building. Mr. Widman had So ttling Compan learned the art from his father, a resi­ dent of Dubuque, la. George in turn In 1906, Gilbert H. and Charles L. Don't go into the candy buiness. taught Margaret candy making, and she Bang purchased the Crookston Bottling You 'll never have any time to yourself. now is teaching her nephew (another Works from J.M. Peterson. Gilbert and That was George Widman's advice to George). Charles were the sons of Tore Bang who his daughter Margaret and his son had arrived in Crookston in 1881 and George. So they ignored his counsel, was appointed as Crookston's U.S. and now the fourth generation of candy Widman Candies are not just a local Marshal in 1890. makers named Widman is learning the product. Many pounds are shipped each The Bottling Works at 106 Maple business. year to other parts of the country to Street consisted of some old style bottle­ candy lovers who have tasted them. washing and bottle-filling equipment and a horse-drawn delivery wagon. Cus­ The Widman Candy Co. was estab­ tomers included about 30 saloons, some lished here in 1911 by George, who had This year, Margaret Widman was the restaurants, a few neighborhood and been making sweets of a large St. Paul BPW's choice of Woman ofthe Year. confectionery stores. Out-of-town ship­ ments, made in unheated cars, had to be temporarily discontinued from September until spring. Edmund H. Bang, son of Gilbert H., jJounbeb 1957 joined the firm in 1933. Another son, George D., became associated with the business in 1936, two years after his father's death. A modern truck, ice cooler, and the first six-bottle carton for take-home use were all added in 1936.

On April I, 1938, the company be­ came known as the Crookston Coca-Cola Bottling Company with Edmund H. as president; Charles R., vice president; and George D., secretary-treasurer. It enlarged to five truck routes, a new jJreigbt automatic cooler and a six-flavor vend­ ing machine. Plant enlargement and additional modern equipment followed in 1974. David Bang joined the firm in 1968 and was elected president fo llowing his 2 anb 75 ilortb father's retirement. Donald Bang, son of Edmund H . . joined the firm in 1972 as sales manager.

These are ads placed in an early business directory, about 1910. Note the telephone numbers.

W. M. Stone ...... President Heldstab Ice & Crookston Manufacturing W. P. Stone ...... Sec.-Treas. Company N. P. Stone Co. Fuel Company A. O. ESPE, Proprietor General lachine Shop, Job Work Coal and Wood Ice, Wood, Coal a Specialty

Cylinder Grinding McCormick-Deering Machinery \'.. KEEP YOU WARM .Crankshaft Grinding W;': KEEP YOU COOL Oxy-Acetylene Welding Polk County Grown DEALERS IN Seed Corn FOR SERVICE WITH A SMILE Threshing Machinery Tractors and Automobiles Garden City Feeders ?hone 111 Aermotor Windmj))s Well Drilling Phone 41 419 �orth Main Street 411-413-415 N. Main Street 302 North Main Street

Crookston, Minn. Crookston, Minn. Crookston, Minn.

64 the company began to concentrate on sunflower research, cultivation, ex­ perimentation for new products, and processing. Today Dahlgren & Co. has expanded to more than four times its 1962 size. The company has green­ houses and nurseries both here and in Florida. It employs more than 150 people.

Dahlgren was honored in 1971 by being named Outstanding Small Busi­ nessman in Minnesota. In national com­ petition he took second place. A horse-drawn derrick, incorporating two 20cfoot poles, a two-inch reel bar, pulley blocks, and guy ropes, was used by the telephone company in placing and removing Dahlgren'S famous bird feed and poles while engaged in construction work in April, 1907. Fifty poles a day were removed feeders are available from New England by this primitive-type derrick that was designed and constructed by the telephone work to the Midwest and are marketed by crew pictured. large Eastern food chains such as Grand Union stores. American of the ground. In later years a mechani­ cal loader was employed to elevate the Crystal Sugar beets into a truck afterthey were lifted, topped and piled. Crookston Though the American Crystal Sugar Company began its Crookston operation Today Crookston's American Crystal in 1954 , the first sugar beet crop C'On­ Sugar plant, on Highway 75 South, re­ Iron and Metal sisting of five acres, was actually grown ceives about 50,000 tons of beets every in 1919 by an experiment by Crookston 24 hours during harvest time. Hydraulic farmer, Carl Wigand. hoists rapidly unload beets at dumping stations and the piling stations receive 120 West Loring A spcculative group in East Grand beets on a 24-hour-a-day schedule. Forks helped to fi nance the first sugar beet plant by forming the Red River In 1973 the Red River Valley Sugar­ Sugar Company in association with the beet Growers Association purchased the Founded 19BB Minnesota Sugar Company in Chaska. American Crystal Sugar Company for $66 million. The company is a farmer­ Additional fi nancial resources were owned cooperative with Jerry Claassen obtained from area commercial clubs serving as agricultural manager. and from a loan obtained through the Agriculture Credit Corporation, result­ Dahlgren Compan y Anderson ing in the construction of the first area plant in 1926 at East Grand Forks. In its Clark Dahlgren is a gentleman who first year of production, almost 2,200 has contributed much to the economic Beverages, Inc. acres of beets were contracted for pro­ development of Crookston. In 1955, in duction. partnership with Lyle KieJ, Dahlgren's opened with one elevator where they Thc earliest form of beet cultivator processed and distributed certified SOD Marin Avenue was a 2-row machine pulled by a horse sccds. which was replaced by a 4-row cultiva­ tor pulled by two horses. Hoeing and In 1962 Kiel sold his interest to Dahl­ thinning were manually accomplished gren, and the company was re­ Founded 1954 and whcn harvest time arrived. a horse organized. Seeing the importance of drawn lifterpar tially lifted the beets out suntlowers in the future of the Valley,

Hordlu� Equipment George's Crookston Farmers Company Trailer Sales Co-Op Elevator Highway 7S South Highway 7S South 1220 South Main ltecreational Vehicles Founded Founded 194B Founded 1977 1939

65 Seven Banks Established By 1915

Rapidly assuming importance in directors are Sipe, chairman; L.A. Scandia America-ISS1 Minnesota's northwest area as an in­ Erickson, vice-chairman; David C. dustrial, agricultural, educational, and Bang, Leonard Bergan, L.M. Engen, Organized in the summer and fall of cultural center, Crookston, in 1915, William J. Kiewel, and Edward Reit­ 1887, the Scandia American Bank open­ boasted the presence of five banks, rep­ meier. ed its doors for business on the first day resenting a capital stock of 5280,000. of December of 1887 with a paid-in capi­ tal of 540,000. It was located at 125 Deposits recorded in these banks on West Robert Street. Carl Hendrickson December 1, 1915, aggregated the sum of Grafton, N.D., was president; G.M. of 53,885,000. The banks involved were Barker of Crookston, vice president; the Crookston State, First National, A.G. Gallasch, cashier; and L. Elling­ Merchants National, Scandia American, ton, assistant cashier. In February, and the Polk County State Banks. 1913, a firm known as Miller and Foote retained controlling interest in the stock and the official board consisted of J.P. first National Bank-ISS' Foote, H. Steenerson, C.C. Strander, Oscar Fredricks, George F. Van Pelt, The First National Bank was one of and H.H. Clapp. The bank closed about the earliest founded in northern Minne­ 1924. sota. Located at 124 N. Broadway, it was established in 1881, with a capital stock of 550,000. The first directors Crookston State-1909 named were Ansell Bates, William Ang­ lim, Conrad Utzimer, Morris Brown, The Crookston State Bank was or­ J.I. Case, and R.H. Baker. Mr. Baker ganized May 1, 1909. Located at 102 became its first president; Brown, vice West Second Street, it had operated for president; and Bates, cashier. In 1883 a number of years as a private bank, the capital stock was doubled, and having been incorporated as such May George Q. Erskine succeeded Baker as 1, 1902, with a capital of 520,000. L.E. president, with K.D. Chase succeeding Jones was elected president; J .A. Brown as vice president. Jerome W. Northrop, vice president; and L.D. Wheeler became cashier in 1895, and in Foskett, cashier. Upon its reorganiza­ tion into the Crookston State Bank, the 1905 was made president. One of the oldest banks founded in Capital Stock was increased to 540,000. Crookston , the First National, was lo­ Northrop became president; S.C. John­ In 1925 Otto Bremer of St. Paul be­ cated where the new city hall building is son, vice president; and Foskett, retain­ came the major stockholder through today. purchase of the Wheeler estate interest. ed as cashier. These officers, with E.A. The Bremer Foundation remains the Mills and L. Sargent, were the first di­ major stockholder with more than 100 Merchant National-ISS4 rectors. local people also owning stock. The Merchants National Bank, organ­ The original bank building was re­ ized in 1884, was located at 201 No. placed in 1956 by a one-story structure. Main St. (the Janecky building). Hold­ The new building provided modem ing office were John Cromb, president; banking features, including a drive-in John Moor, vice president; A.D. teller window, night depository, and a Stephens, cashier, and V.L. Mac­ large meeting room for the community. Gregor, assistant cashier. Board mem­ A 25 x 110 foot addition to the bank bers were John Cromb, Stephens, W.E. along with complete remodeling and re­ McKenzie, J.H. Peterson, A. Braley, furbishing of the building was under­ John Moore, and MacGregor. The bank taken in 1970. Included in the expansion closed in 1924, due to actions that some features was a new auto bank. believed involved political chicanery.

In 1974 a new bank building was plan­ ned, a result of continued growth. The Veronica M. Borton new complex, located at 201 North Broadway, was completed in 1978. The same year First National opened a de· Agent tached facility in Fisher. Federal Crop Since 1881, six presidents have ser­ ved the First National: Robert H. Baker, 1881-1883; George Q. Erskine, 1883- Insurance Corp. 1905; J.W. Wheeler, 1905-1923; H.L. Marsh, 1923-1955; Marvin R. Camp­ bell, 1955-1971, and Gene H. Sipe, 1971 4DS Harth Broadway The Scandia American Bank, located on to the present day. the site of today's Hair & Things Founded lS3B Boutique, was organized in 1887 and Current members of the board of closed in 1924.

66 first federal cated in Fosston, East Grand Forks, Fertile, and Mahnomen. Savings and Loan-1904 Current directors areJerry Dahlberg , The Crookston Building and Loan As­ Ralph Taylor, Dr. Robert Tjossem, sociation, later to become the First Fed­ Edwin Odland, Ray German, William eral Savings and LoanAssociation, held Henney, and Thoreson. Other associa­ its first meeting on March 1, 1904. Of­ tion officers are Robert L. Jacobson, ficers elected were P.M. Ringdal, presi­ vice president; Victor Buth, assistant dent; Harry L. Falk, vice president; vice-president; Mario Schisano, trea­ A.D. Stephens, secretary; James E. surer; and Gail Olson, assistant secre­ O'Brien, treasurer; and James H. May­ tary. berry, attorney.

The Savings and Loan industry came Po lk Co unty into being primarily because of the need State Bank-1913 for financing housing, which was un­ available through commerical banks. It The Polk County State Bank of Crook­ operated out of the rear teIler window in ston was chartered August 27, 1913, what was then the Crookston Trust with a capital of S40,OOO. The present Company (now the Crookston National Total Capital Structure is S2,720,OOO. Bank). Merchants National Bank, founded in The first officers were: Peter M. Ring­ 1884, was closed in 1924 because of dal, president; L. W. Larsen, vice presi­ Board meetings and annual meetings what some believed was political dent; G.O. Hage, cashier. These offi­ were sometimes held at the Merchants chicanery_ cers, together with G.A. Aubol and A.J. National Bank (the site of the Janecky Peterson, fo rmed the first board of di­ Building). In 1967, the Crookston Sav­ tion. He succeeded Otto J. Eickhof, who rectors. ings and Loan Association adopted the had served as director from March 21, Federal charter and changed its name to 1923, until his death on February 1, Otto Bremer bought an interest in the First Federal Savings and Loan Associ­ 1974. bank in 1918; the majority control is stilI ation of Crookston. with the Otto Bremer Company, and the During the last 75 years, the Crook­ remainder of the shares are held by Virgil MacGregor became the associ­ ston Building and Loan Association local stockholders. ation's second secretary, succeeded by maintained its office in several loca­ Carmie L. Skjei, and in 1972, by Donald tions. Their present quarters at tI!e cor­ There have been five presidents -­ Thoreson. who was named secretary­ ner of North Broadway and Third Street Peter Ringdal, Charles E. Kiewel, W.S. treasurer and managing officer. In 1974 were built in 1975. Four branch offices Ericson, Gunnar E. Kronholm, and Clif­ he was elected president of the associa- operated by the First Federal are 10- (Continued on Page 68)

jfounbeb 19 65

«rooki)ton Wtlbing jrflacbint «ompanp

75 �outb

67 (Continued from Page 67) Cr'ookston Future plans include consideration of detached facilities in surrounding areas. National Bank-f916 ford_H. Zaffke. T]le present Board of The bank serves a farm loan area that Directors consists of Chin. Zaffke, Lyle includes Crookston, Red Lake. Penning­ Organized in 1916, as the Crookston ton. and Polk Counties. Kiel, RusseIl Maves, Armin Ross and Trust Company, the Crookston National Lee WaIl. The present office,rs are Bank began operation under the gui­ Zaffke, president; vice presidents W.L. dance of Oscar Fredricks and Gilbert O. Ericson, Gunder Moe, Lester P. Au­ Hage. who were joined five years later Present bank officers include Donald dette, and Don R. Hass; Marie Nelson, by Viola Semingson. T. Lawler, president; Loren W. CofeIl, assistant vice president and cashier; vice-president; Charles E. Jost. in!$all­ James C. Wilson, assistant vice presi­ In 1945. current president Donald T. ment loan officer; Connie Grivno" cash­ dent; assistant cashiers, Mae Morgan, Lawler was then cashier. He was in­ ier; and Margaret KeIler. assistant cashier. Sonja Lilliquist, and Carol J. O'Neil. volved in the changeover from trust company to a nationaIly charteredbank, and in 1948, fprmed a group which pur­ chased a controlling interest. It is still Bank directors are Lawler, and son, The first banking house was a two­ 10caIly owned. D.J. Lawler, George M. CampbeIl, story structure constructed by the Eick­ Morris Dickel, R.A. Mason, R.O. hof Construction Company. This same The recent past has been a time of Sather. and William Johnson. building is stiIl being used, afterseveral growth and expansion for the Crookston extensive remodelings. From the time National. In 1972 and 1975. property the bank was built, it furnished Crook­ purchases created opportunities for re­ Latest newcomer to the banking insti­ ston with a city rest room at no cost for modeling, expansion •.and the introduc­ tutions of Crookston is American Feder­ space. heating. lights. and supplies tion of a large parking lot for public use. al, 1pcated at Sth Street and Broadway. until 1977 when the city purchased a The bank stands on its original site at They have served the Crookston trade different building for City HaIl. Befare 116 West Robert. area since December 27, 1974. and the the first extensive remodeling in 1900. Red River VaIley since 1890, providing the first story was partiaIly used by home loans, home improvement loans, Zitzer's Floral. and prior to that by the and savings departments. Ed Henrick­ Sweet Shop Cafe. The second floor was son is vice president and branch man­ rented by attorneys. Now. nineteen ager. years later. it has become necessary for Spring Gravel the bank to utilize both stories, and it has provided three drive-up and one walk-up window. COmpany Other' 114 WaShingt on financiallnsHtutions The Polk County State Bank. serving eight communities. is a fuIl-service bank. and for the convenience of the Avenue In addition, other financial institu­ public. has an outside Time & Tempera­ tions in Crookston are the Federal Land t'ure sign. and also furnishes the time Bank, the PCA, and the American Fed­ and temperature on a special telephone Founded 192D eral. Located at 1226 University Ave­ nue, the Federal Land Bank began in line - 281-6300.24 hours a day. 1933 as the Polk County National Farm Loan Association. (NFLA). It was estab­ lished as a cooperative lending ins:itu­ tion to provide long term farm real jfounbrb 1973 estate loans at a reasonable cost. Mark Behrends is manager.

The Production Credit Association �affanrp'� (PCA) also formed in 1933. provides Hm:br farm credit loans for financing of farm operating expenses. PCA. also located at 1226 University Avenue, is a farmer owned cooperative credit association effic£ that has developed several services (financial. insurance and record keep­ ing) to assist the farmers. Mark Gullick­ �lacrU son is manager.

The Climax Credit Union. located at 107 East 2nd Street. was founded in 123 1953. A state chartered credit union. Gary Schlaht [left I and Kim Kappes. Climax Credit is a member-owned lend­ Not pictured Tim Johnson �ortb jfflain ing and savings institution. Manager of the Crookston office of Climax Credit Union is George KeIler. 68 farming - Earliest Industry

A rapid increase in settlers in the area prevalence of the phosphorus deficiency during the late 1800's brought about disease in cattle. This common disease In 1879, the amount of wheat marked changes in farming. was remedied by applying phosphorus acreage in Polk County totaled fertilizers to the land, or feeding miner­ 31,000 acres, producing 535,000 ai feeds high in bone meal. Crop yields bushels of wheat or an average of Broadening upon a basic wheat crop, were greatly increased. 17 bushels to the acre. farmers became involved in diversified In 1890 the amount had in­ farming which led to the need for barns, creased to 237,439 acres of wheat shed." corn cribs and granaries. The founding of the University of with 3,013,361 bushels; 44,215 Minnesota's Northwest Experiment acres of oats with 226,221 bush­ Station in Crookston in 1895, was one of els; 16,474 acres of barley with Market outlets for growing supplies the most important steps in providing 300,439 bushels; 153 acres of corn of grains, milk, butter, poultry, eggs, technological forces to help develop im­ with 4,100 bushels; 2,393 acres r,f and other farm products were limited. proved methods of farming on the raw potatoes with 283,382 bust Farmers' fruit and vegetable markets prairie. operated only during the limited fruit and vegetable production periods. Cer­ tain grain marketing and railroad prob­ A VERAGE SIZE, VALUE, AND lems were experienced and partially TENURE OF FARMS IN solved. POLK COUNTY FROM 1860 to 1910.

The settlers' unrest lent encourage­ Val. of Av. val. per ment to the development of coopera­ land acre land tives in Minnesota in the years that fol­ Year Av. Size and bldgs. and bldgs. lowed. Encouragement also came from 1860 356.7 Acres $16,000 $7.48 the young land-grant colleges of the 1880 215.4 Acres 3,189,394 8.45 Upper Midwest and other states, which 1890 193.2 Acres 9,085,270 10.21 fulfilled a need that provec! of excep­ 1900 224.3 Acres 16,054,900 16.50 tional benefit to pioneer farmers in the 1910 252.2 Acres 29,738,082 33.46 Red River Valley.

One of the firstpr oblems investigated by the new soils division at the Univer­ sity of Minnesota was that of tl}e effect of. and need for. phosphorous fertilizer. The study led to the location of the phosphorus deficient area in western Minllcsota and the explanation 'of the

West Polk Farm Bureau & Farm Bureau Insurance

123 Sout h Mai n

Founded 1953 Horse power was a key factor in the development of the Northwest Experiment Station during the first30 years of th is century. 69 •• \, · T •.\ 11' ',,\,1<1, :-'upt .

These photographs are of the N. W. Experiment Station in its infancy.

Northwest Agr icul tura 1 about an agricultural experiment station The first piece of research work was to as early as the 1880's. lcarn how to drain the soggy sod of the Experiment Stati on Red River Basin so it could be farmed. In theearly 1890's James J. Hill gave They could not use drain tile in these a piece of land to the State of Minnesota tight soils as one could in the more por­ (The following history of the North­ for the purpose of establishing an agri­ ous soils of other parts of the nation. west Agricultural Experiment Station is cultural experiment station. With the Thc most successful way to drain the made possible thanks to information gift, he also required that a school of (Continued on Page 71) supplied by Dr. Bernard E. Youngquist, agriculture be founded there within a Superintendent of the Experiment few years (actually begun in 1905). Station. For reasons of space, it has been condensed from the original). Temporary buildings were con­ structed and the station got underway in Ked Kiver Farming in the late 1800's in the Red 1895 under the supervision of the first River Valley was difficult. Farmers and superintendent, T.A. Hoverstad, who Distributing, Inc. others who lived here began to talk arrived by train with some pieces of farm machinery, including a plow, harrow, wagon, team of horses and several cows. Highway 75 South The land was wet and soggy, used by Best Western duck hunters, and not good farm land at that time. The first buildings were a Founded lS72 Motor Inn farm house and a barn for horses and a few cattle. There were no trees on the building site. The farm house was lo­ cated just north and a bit west of the High way present Hill building. The barn was lo­ cated just west of Selvig Hall, partially on the existing campus roadway which Noah 2 & 75 North goes around the mall. (The first build­ ing for the new School of Agriculture was the old Home Economics building Insurance Service which was completed in 1906 and served as a classroom-dormitory and of­ ficc building. It was located at the prcsent site of Dowell Hall.) 2lB South Main Those early years were very difficult because of the need for drainage. It was Founded IS7S the number one problem in the Red Founded lSSS River Basin in terms of increasing agri­ cultural production.

70 (Continued from Page 70) land was to dig large ditches to appro­ priate outlets and ditch the production fields with laterals to the major ditch­ ways. This is the major water manage­ ment drainage mechanism still used to­ day in the Red River Basin.

At the turn of the century, farm peo­ ple were hungry for research informa­ tion. The firstexte nsion meetings of any significance were held at the Experi­ ment Station beginning about 1908 under the leadership of Superintendent WiIliam Robertson.

Superintendent C.G. Selvig began his duties in 1910. Farmers began to come to extension meetings on trains to spend The Northwest Experiment Station and School of Agriculture in 1905. a day or two learning about improved ways in which to grow crop s. These early crops meetings grew into what is Gopher and Anthony oats and Min­ Northwest Station. now known as the Red River VaHey dum wheat bred at the central station Winter Shows. and a line of corn caHed Northwestern By 1935 the station scientists became Dent corn, selected at the N.W. station, more involved in regional problems re­ The fast-growing School of Agricul­ was distributed to farmers and became lating to the production of field crops, ture needed more space. In 1911 it be­ commonly grown in northwestern the maintenance of soil fertility, the came clear that the farm house and Minnesota. More than 30,000 bushels of establishment and maintenance of barns had been located in the wrong registered seed of recommended windbreaks, ornamental shrubs, place. An architectural and landscape varieties were produced for foundation flowers and fruit trees, the production plan was developed and the farm house seed from 1921 to 1934. of bush and smaH fruits, potatoes, and barns were moved to the present sugarbeets, and garden vegetables, and location. Many additional structures In the early 1930's when wheat had a the breeding and feeding of livestock were added between 1906 and 1920. very low market value and it was used in and poultry. McCall HaH and the gymnasium were different trials for fattening beef, wheat built by the 1950's. The entire farm­ was fo und to be equal to barley for The major thrust at the Experiment stead was rebujlt or remodeled after cattle rations. Feeding wheat, how­ Station since its founding in 1895 has 1957. ever, depended largely on the price of been to develop acceptable varieties of that grain compared to barley. Using major crops for the vaHey and the Sweet clover was studied by the early rye was successful; yet the amount of development of good Cllltural methods agronomic scientists and found useful ergot present was a limiting factor. and fertilizer management for the major during the years of animal power. The Molasses beet pulp proved equal to farm crops. The development of crops experiment station researchers found barley on beef fattening. The Northwest new to the area has been a significant that the common white biennial Experiment Station experimented ex­ part of this thrust---an example is sun­ (Bokhara) was the most satisfactory for tensively with the use of sllrplus pota­ flowers. Every major cropping practice general use in the region. Alfalfa was toes as beef cattle feed. l!auling pota­ now used in the Red River VaHey has introduced by the experiment station in toes out on the range and Treeze-drying either been developed or tested at the the second decade. Wheat proved more for beef cattle was pioneered at the Experiment Station. satisfactory as a companion crop than oats, barley or flax. SUPERunENDENTS OFTHE CURRENT RESEARCH PERSONNEL NORT�EST EXPE�NT [inorder of tenure] STATION Mr. E.C. Miller, Agricultural Engineer Toger A. Hoverstad: 1895-1905 and Assistant for Public Relations William Robertson: 1905-1910 Dr. B.E. Youngquist, Superintendent Conrad G. Selvig: 1910-1927 Dr. G.D. Marx, Dairy Management and Austin A. DoweH, Ph .D.: 1927-1937 Dairy Breeding Thomas M. McCaH: 1937-1956 Dr. H.F. Windels, Sheep Management Bernard E. Youngquist, Ph. D.: 1956 to and Beef Nutritionist present Mr. M.C. Jacobson, Assistant Scientist­ Dairy Dr. L.J. Smith, Agronomist-Sugarbeets EXTENSION PERSONNEL: Dr. W.D. S·.. edarsky , (If. time) Natural History Studies Mr. M.O. Johnson, Area Extension Mr. R.K. Severson, Assistant Scientist­ Agent, Crops and Soils Soils Mr. M.D. Hutter, Area Extension Dr. G. E. Varvel, Soil Scientist Try harvesting the crops with this con­ Agent, Crop Pest Management Dr. J.V. Wiersma, Agronomist-General traption today ...yet it served its purpose Field Crops in the 1920's. 71 Early farming Methods

Soil was prepared for planting crops in earlier days by using the spade and hoe to create more suitable ground for sowing the grain. An old fashioned plow consisted of one plowshare and two long handles. Farmers drove oxen or horses on these plows, held in the ground by walking behind, holding onto the handles.

With a sack fastened to their shoul­ ders, they would disperse the seed by hand. When the grain was ripe, it was cut with sickles or scythes. Falling into rows, it was then racked together by handrackers. A threshing machine all steamed up for work on the Erickson farm in 1919.

If the farmer lacked big threshing floors, he would do his threshing in the that held the grain together. The "sep­ The blessings of progress have re­ winter. A piece of gr ound would be arator man" would grab the bundles, placed the horse-drawn bundle racks leveled and water pouredover it to form shake them loose, and throw them into with twin-screw tandem trucks, thresh­ ice. The bundles of wheat would be the feeder. At the other end of the ing machines with large self propelled placed jn circles and flailed. The flail threshing machine the "strawbucker combines and single shared plows with was made by taking two pieces of wood man" moved the emerging straw away eight-bottoms pulled by powerful four­ and connecting them with a leather from the separator, with great risk to his wheel drive diesel tractors. But some­ strap. One piece was used as a handle; fingers. how the old threshing rig is still a fo nd the other to pound the grain. The grain memory in the minds of many old timers was then hauled by wagons to the mills Since a crew of 20 or more were often today. to be ground. employed to thresh the grain much har­ vesting was done by custom threshing The earliest grain harvested was cut rigs which went from farm to farm. loose and stacked. These stacks were Long hours were involved for these placed so that a threshing rig could be large crews and also for the farmer's Larson parked between two stacks and the wife, who had to feed them. Extra kit­ threshing crew could pitch the bundles chen help was oftenemplo yed, since the right into the machine. Formerly two of project went on from early morning International, Inc. the crew would have to cut the bands until late at night. Highway 7S South

Founded lS75

DeLage's Phillips BB Highway 2 &. 7S Horth

These are poor little lambs that have gone astray. What are they doing on North Founded lSBB Broadway at Sixth? 72 After potatoes were sacked into 100- Five or six neighbors would get together Early Hours 120 pound bags, they would be loaded and each farmer would supply a bundle into boxcars kept cool with ice. Crook­ team. Working in rounds, each team and Long Da s ston had several ice companies that would pick up the bundles in the field y supplied the railroad with this vital com­ and carry them to a stationary separator of farm life in the early Recollections modity. for threshing. part of the 1900's include memories of mornings beginning at 5 a.m. to accom­ Ice blocks were cut from the Red Lake At threshing time, with neighbors plish chores before the arrival of the River and stored in the railroad com­ cooperating, there was always plenty of "school bus". The bus was a horse pany's massive ice house until they food supplied for tht' occasion. The drawn wagon that managed to deliver were needed during winter months. farmers would gather around big tables or so, depend­ you at school in an hour Piles of straw acted as insulation. in the living room and kitchen that were ing on the mood of the weather, the heaped with plates of potatoes, meat, driver and, very often, the horse. During harvest time, neighbors al· pastries, pies, cakes, cookies, and bread ways pooled their horses and resources. prepared by the wives. Beginning in spring, wintered-over potatoes were removed from a cave Hard work, non-mechanized equip­ built in the ground. Split oak posts ment, long hours and the spirit of shar­ formed the framework for the roof of the ing the harvest with neighbors were all cave. Four-foot swamp grass was laid part of Crookston's agricultural pattern upon the logs followed by dirt and in the early 1901)'s. straw. This kept the potatoes above freezing in the winter and cool in the summer.

Potato planting began in May. Be­ cause of the moist rich mineral content Cargill Inc. of Red River Valley soil, only a little "barnyard fertilizer" was required. The single row planter, cultivator, sprayer, and digger were all horsedrawn. With the fields averaging one-half mile in Highway 75 South length, horses were given a rest after every two rounds. A fresh team was harnessed for the afternoon's work. Belgian and Percheron horses were favored by farmers because of their Founded ISSS strength and steady gait. Planting straight rows required a steady gait. Haying on the B. Sampson farm.

WINTER SHOWS

Prior to the building of the armory in Pavilion Building in 1919 plus two other With the expansion of agriculture, 1920, the Farm Crops Show, later called major buildings all adjacent to the old new developments in farm machinery the Red River Valley Winter Shows, was armory. A regional financial drive funds and technological growth in the indus­ ' held at the Northwest School and Exper­ for building. try, it was soon necessary to consider a iment Station and later in private facili­ new location to house the Winter ties in Crookston. Capacity crowds each At the 1918 Red River Valley Winter Shows. The Winter Shows Board of year taxed the facilities at the school Show a song was introduced called the Managers decided to erect a huge and it was decided to hold the shows in "Farm Crops Show Song" (sung to the modern exhibition arena �n Highway 2 the city using vacant buildings for the tune of "John Brown's Body"). and 75 north, naming it the Red River exhibits and the Grand Theater for We're here again assembled at an­ Valley Winter Shows. Dedication cere­ meetings. other Farm Crops Show; monies were held on February IS, 1962. We're here again to see and learn and not to brag and blow; Implement dealers, manufacturers Northwestern Minnesota is the ban­ of farm commodities, and merchants ner place we know; enthusiastically supported the first Our fame spreads near and far. crops and baking and sewing exhibi­ Crops Show Arrangements Hurrah! Hurrah! Red River Valley, Committee 1914·1916 tions by donating fabulous sweepstakes Beautiful Red River Valley, prizes for wheat, other small grains, Bountiful Red River Valley e.G. Selvig, Chairman; C.H. and corn. Concrete stave silos, valued at To you our praises ring. $300 and $400 were given in consecutive Zealand, Secretary; L.D. Foskett, Treasurer; S.M. Sivertson; H. W. years for grand champion small grain Alfalfa, clover, wheat, and corn, the samples. Farm implements, valued up Misner; C.L. Skoug; J.M. Cath­ best that we can grow; cart; Lee R. Boyd; W.J. Taylor; to $100, were offered as first prizes in Of all the species that you find, we other classes. Joseph Ball; A.D. Stephens; G.A. have the best to show; Youngquist; 0.1. Bergh; W.E. And after this most glorious time, McKenzie A more permanent location began to back to our farms we'll go. take shape with the construction of the Our fame goes marching on.

73 from Remedies to Radiology

Big Man in Town ! No one was lies, and some arrived only to stay a who was an early pioneer. Her active regarded with more admiration and very short time before they moved on. life dated from 1870 to 1885. She would respect [un less it be the clergymanl not accept payment for her help, and than the town physician In the early During the early settlement of the would insist on a doctor's being present days. Usually called "Doc", he had area, the quality of medical care was if she thought the labor was making an aura about him that was awe­ often poor. Many of the settlers resort­ slow progress. After delivery, she some. Not that he was unapproach­ ed to self-medication, using patent cleaned up the baby and laid out the able and unsympathetic -- quite medicines, charms, amUlets, or talis­ baby's freshly prepared clothes, then the opposite. It was Just that learn­ mans. Should a settler get a laceration asked for a piece of white "linien". This ed manner in which he used words from a scythe or puncture from a nail, she placed in the oven until it was [Latin, sometimes] that you'd never he would lay a talisman, salve or even browned, and covered the navel with it, heard before. raw pork on the wound. Later there resulting in few infections. would be laudable pus and a hot poul­ The second Big Man was the law­ tice would be applied consisting of yer. Equally learned and possessing bread, milk, flaxseed, or cabbage or an equally impressive vocabulary, other leaf poultices. Some terrible infec­ he was not regarded with quite the tions occurred, but at the time it was same esteem. The uneducated oftenthe only method available because settler was a trifle suspicious of this of the limited and poor quality of medi­ profession. But just let this citizen cal help available. have an altercation with his neigh­ bor over a boundary or a wandering At this period it was common to know cow, and he'd rush to the law office. of "consumption" families. Perhaps the mother was tuberculous; soon a child would come down with it, and many died. Often they all lived in a small The Early house with perhaps several in one room. Dr. A.H. Dunlop - 1882. W.A. Marin, one of Crookston's Medical Scene pioneer lawyers, kept an interesting ac­ count of the early health care in the Between 1860-69 there was an ab­ growing town. Maternal care is well de­ sence of medical care by regular practi­ scribed by him, because his mother was tioners in the Red River Valley. When an intelligent woman who acted as a the area had its flood of settlers during midwife for her neighbors. He tells of a the decade 1870-1880, some doctors ar­ wagon driving up at night and his rived to homestead while others settled mother going out, to return some days in towns. later; some neighborhoodwife had been helped at the birthof her child. Many of these early doctors, some of them suffering from tuberculosis, came An example of such help by a practi­ to Minnesota because the climate was cal nurse was that of Grandma Tierney, Dr. G.A. Morley - 1897. spoken of as being "very healthy". Practically all were very young, some were married, some arrived with fami- jJounbeb 1965 Self medication was common among the settlers, such as CherJ:Y Pectoral for colds, pneu­ monia or "consumption". Hoods jiort ijttleg t lLumber Sarsaparilla and Hostetter's Bit­ ters had quite a vogue (the larter more popular since one of the in­ gredients was a low grade whis­ key).

Drug firms published very in­ teresting almanacs which were 1111 �utb jIfla in welcome and which the young boys would read from cover to cover. They learned that some of these medicines were "good for man or beast". For young boys, at a time when books were scarce, jIflpke jIflabigan much advice on non-medical sub­ jectswas absorbed.

74 Many of these practical helpers were forts. clean, using soap and water, and there was a low infant mortality until the With the presence of medical schools baby's first summer on artificial feed­ in the state after 1888, Minnesota train­ Established lSSB ing, when the mortality became high. ed physicians soon spread over the state In that same period pioneer doctors in larger numbers to the great advan­ tage of the people ...and progress was had a high maternal mortality and pro­ . longed morbidity, for which often he on Its way. Incorporated lSD7 was not to blame. Some physicians were too quick to use forceps, with scant use of cleansing agents. The indifference, often antag­ onism, of lumber camp owners to the State Department of As the area was further settled by Health's rule of mandatory vac­ many citizens from the East; Irish and cination, in the late 1880's, was a Scotch from the Dominion of Canada; Strander great problem. The men did French Canadians from Quebec; and nothing to use preventive mea­ Europeans from Germany, Scandinavia sures and avoided vaccination. and Great Britain, increasing numbers Smallpox was a common problem. Abstract and of physicians arrived. Educated in the An example was an incident in East or in European medical schools, 1885 when a smallpox case from they were better educated than their T.B. Walker's lumber camp, predecessors. Medical care continued to about 70 miles east of Crookston Investment Co. improve, and soon physicians in the Red on the Clearwater River, drifted River Valley were associated with other into the city. He went into the physicians of Minnesota through the Merchant's Hotel where the phy­ State Medical Society. sician diagnosed the case as smallpox. The first report of physicians in Polk 112 lforth Broadway County is that of Doctors Waterman -and The hotel landlord doubted the Welch, who reported a case of smallpox came down in Crookston May 2, 1879. A pest house diagnosis. He later of the was built and one Theodore Binder was with variloid. Dr. Brown State Board of Health was sent admitted. According to the medical log north and found two cases in book of the day, "he was very well Fosston., One lumberjack became taken care of ' . delirious with the disease and is supposed to have perished in the During the latter part of the nine­ woods. The entire village of teenth century, the doctors of Minne­ Fosston was quarantined. Trains sota were in the midst of a universal were not allowed to stop. Mail rennaissance. The practice of medicine was pushed offthe train but none was regulated by the Medical Practice picked up. In due time, all non­ Act of 1883. Emphasis was placed on immunized persons were rounded preventive medicine, especially the pre­ up and vaccinated and the epi­ vention of contagious diseases. Vaccina­ demic was soon under control. tion was mandatory for such diseases as responded to such immunization ef- Office Int erior La te lSDD's jfounllell 19 72

312 J}ortb jiroabtuap c.c. Strander Founder

75 jfounbeb 192 0

llortb ttl£5 t ern ctClil1 ic, �. �.

400 �outb JNinnegota

220 South Broadway - 1968view

400 South Minnesota - 1979 view

76 The only bid, that of C.E. Dampier at A County Hospi tal eleven hundred and fifty-two ($1,152) dollars per year, includin.g medicine, was rejected. "Moved and seconded Preceded Bethe sda that when the services of a physician or surgeon are required at the County Hospital, in the City of Crookston, The pioneer physicians did most of Mathew Watts of said city be called up­ their work in their offices or in homes. on to render such services." This was This work included whatever surgery unanimously approved. was attempted, and, of course, all ob· stetric cases. The citizens of Crookston, At the December, 1895, meeting, the realizing that facilities for proper medi­ rules of the County Hospital were a­ cal care were lacking, began to stress mended as follows: "Moved by Com­ the need for a hospital. missioner Norland that the rules gov­ Dr. H. Holte - 1893 (Founder of Bethe", erning the county hospital be so amend­ sda Hospital) The COl!nty Commissioners at thei! ed as to authorize the issuance of tickets of admission to said hospital, the uni­ meeting on July 25, 1891, voted tc ' establish a hospital to be known as the form price of such ticket to be $10 each Crookston Ph!lsicians Polk County Hospital in Crookston. and that 500 of such tickets be at once While it was to be a county hospital printed and placed on sale, the style and 1872-1919 mainly for indigents, provision was conditions of such tickets to be pre­ made for paying patients. There is no scribed QY the hospital committee. " 1872 Dr. Adolph Just (homeo­ evidence available that this hospital had (This is an interesting instance of very pathic physician) (died facilities for surgery. Most of the week early hospital insurance.) 1921) 1879 Dr. Charles E. Dampier involved consisted in bedside nursing of (died 1923) medical cases. It was located at 420 On July 26, 1898, the county Auditor 1881 Dr. Van Dyke (no data West Fifth Street. was instructed to balance and discon­ tinue the Hospital Fund by charging the fo und) 1882 Dr. Alex A. Dunlop (died The Commissioners' record of Polk county Revenue Fund the amount over­ County (July 25, 1891) shows the follow­ drawn on the Hospital Fund. Later, the 1944) ing report: "Resolved that the amount County Auditor was instructed to adver­ 1882 Dr. Saboury (no data of three thousand dollars be, and the tise for bids for the sale of the Polk found) 1886 Dr. Francis X. Farly (died same is hereby appropriated out of the County Hospital, building and grounds. 1911) General Revenue fund of the county for A bid of Z. Giroux for $1,500 was ac­ 1893 Dr. Halvor H. Holte (died the purpose of purchasing ,and/or erect­ cepted September 5, 1902. 1937) ing in the City of Crookston, a County 1897 Dr. Watt (no data found); Hospital." On motion the County Audi· Thus ended the life of the first hospi­ Hennemuth and Buckman tor was instructed to advertise for bids tal in Polk County, after a rough time from a physician to attend to the Polk during its few years of existence. (no data found); George E. County Hospital, all bids to be filed in Morley (died 1947); Hiram the County Auditor's office on or before (From History of Medicine in Polk W. Smith (left Crookston January 6, 1892. County, by J.F. Norman, M.D.) 1923) 1898 Dr. J.S. Kjelland (left Crookston 1913) 1899 Dr. O.J. Brown, Jules, Gendron, M.P. Geisel (no data found) 1904 Dr. Loe (associated with brother-in-law Dr. Holte for one year) 1904 Dr. Alex McCarthy (no data found) 1906 Dr. Valdemar Pleth (no data fo und) t 907 Dr. Oscar L. Bertleson (died 1949) 1908 Dr. Henry E. Nelson (died 1974); John F. Norman (died 1954); Henry H. Hodgson (died 1949) 1910 Dr. Franklin M. Dryden (leftCrookston 1927) 1913 Dr. Wilson Randolph (left Crookston 1915) 1915 Dr. William H. Daniels (died 1926) 1916 Dr. Arthur Kahala (died 1938) 1919 Dr. Harry Frost (died 1946) Here is Dr. Dampier, obviously saving ENERGY as he makes his calls in 1899.

77 "Holte's Dream" - The founding

of a Hospital -1893

During the era of bustles and bows, derbies and mustaches, boardwalks and mud roads, another hospital in Crook­ ston was founded by Dr. H.H. Holte in 1893.

It was � simple two-story frame build­ ing located on Woodland Avenue, in the area now occupied by the Northwest Regional Development Commission. It was named Bethesda, which means pool of healing. Second Bethesda Hospital, built in 1906. On March 31, 1898, the Bethesda Hospital Association was organized. Through determined campaign efforts The original Bethesda Hospital on The firstboard of directors included the by the association and Sister Anna Woodland Avenue was converted to a Rev. Theodore Larsen and P.O. Onstad Forlie (deaconess of the Lutheran nursing home. of Ada; Nils Muus, Nielsville; J. T. Bur­ Deaconess Home in Chicago who, in 1911, had arrived in Crookston to be­ seth, Dr. H.H. Holte and P.L. Renne of In the mid and late 60's, it became come superintendent of Bethesda Hos­ Crookston; Professor H.H. Aaker, apparent that, due to a number of pital), the new wing was added. Moorhead; H.C. Hendricks, Twin Val­ causes (including construction and ley; O.A. Solem, Halstad; Rev. L.M. development of hospitals in surround­ Within ten years Dr. M.O. Oppe­ Skunes, Warren; Rev. A.H. Gj evre, ing communities previously serviced by gaard realized enlargement was not the Fertile, and Rev. T.A. Hagen of Gary. the two Crookston hospitals), low utili­ answer for the growing needs of the All were mt;mbers of the existing Uni­ zation of both Bethesda and St. Francis hospital. He furthered the idea for an ted Norwegian Lutheran Church of hospitals was becoming an economic entirely new structure. America. problem.

At first the Association rented Dr. In the late 1940's another cap1paign Holte's frame building for $25 a month. was begun, and the people of Crookston A health committee, organized by in­ Within a year they purchased the hospi­ and the surrounding area raised a total terested citizens, was funded by St. tal plus three adjoining lots for $4,000. of $587,243. Ground breaking cere­ Francis and Bethesda hospitals and monies took place on October 28, 1951, each of the city's medical groups to re­ In 1904 plans were made to build a and the new Bethesda Hospital, located tain the services of Hamilton and Asso­ brick building to replace the two-story on the current site of Riverview Hospi­ ciates, in order to survey the situation frame hospital. At the cost of $11,000 tal, was dedicated. A new wing was and suggest possible solutions. the new hospital was constructed and added in 1957 and an addition in 1960 equipped in 1906. By 1912, the amount for the enclosed ambulance entrance. of space was inadequate but a fund-rais­ Their recommendation was that only ing campaign for expansion failed. one acute-care facility should exist with­ When another one was waged in 1917, in the city of Crookston. Preferably, World War I intervened. The following report was issued they suggested, it should be Bethesda, by the County Hospital of Crook­ since it lent itself more readily to an During 1920, $50,000 was pledged for ston for the year ending Decem­ orderly remodeling and renovation. St. the hospital's expansion costs, which ber 31, 1894: • 'Admissions, 42 Francis Hospital, they advised, could be reached $90,000 due to rising costs. patients with 12 deaths. Of these remodeled as a long-term-care unit. deaths there were 4 due to con­ sumption and 2 due to typhoid; 3 due to heart diseases; l liver com­ For a variety of reasons, the recom­ plaint; 1 pneumonia and 1 tumor. mendations were not too well received, Number of charity patients ad­ and the matter was tentatively tabled. mitted during this year: male 34, The Sisters of St. Benedict and the female, 8, total 42. Number of pri­ Bethesda Hospital Board of Trustees vate patients admitted during the exchanged proposals and counter-pro­ year: male 6, female 5, total 11. posals for approximately one year. In 1970 the Sisters of St. Benedict an­ Total 53. Number of deaths dur­ nounced the closing of St. Francis Hos­ ing the year: male 11, female 1. Total 12. Number of visitors dur­ pital as a health care facility and later ing the year 1,663. There were 6 converted it into a residence for the deaths for the year 1895: con­ elderly. sumption 1, dropsy 2; typhoid 2 and blood poisoning 1. One of the The Board of Directors of Bethesda typhoId deaths was that of Dr. Hospital Association decided to change Mathew Watts." its corporate structure in 1970 and also

First Bethesda Hospital - 1893. (Continued on Page 79)

78 (Continued from Page 78) Sethesda-Ri verview to re-name the hospital. Riverview Hos­ Admi nistra tors pital Association was chosen, and a new board of fifteen members took office in 1911-1925, Sister Anna Forlie; 1925- Founded leSe March, 1970. 1932, Gina Hanson; 1932-1935, Mat­ hilda Dennison; 1935-1937, Millie In the spring of 1974, Riverview Hos­ Christenson; 1937-1950, Ruby Greger­ pital Association launched a building son; 1950-1952, Kenneth Atkins; 1952- Riverview and remodeling project. A new lOO-bed 1970, Thomas Hagen; 1970-1974, Frank nursing home, attached to the lOO-bed Occhiuto; 1974- present, Tom Lenertz. hospital, was built to replace Bethesda Hospital Nursing Home. Today, Riverview is recognized as one of the most modern During World War II, when hospitals in northwestern Minnesota. small hospitals were hit so hard Association by a nursing shortage, the Na­ tional Cadet Nurses program was started at Bethesda Hospital in !Uverview Hospital April, 1943. Mrs. Eva Brown was the director of the local program and Nursing Home which lasted until April, 1948. 323 South Minnesota A total of 192 students, who came from nursing schools in hos­ pitals in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, St. Cloud and Duluth, took the three month course which was offered in Crookston.

Primary purpose of the pro­ Pulkrabelfs State gram was to provide service to small hospitals and give students Farm Insurance Co. experience working in rural areas. The students themselves chose to take the course as partof their three years nurses' training Corner of program. For a period of three Bethesda Hospital Circa 1910 months the Cadets provided nursing services at Bethesda, Bth and Main went on trips with the county nurse (Josephine Boomgarden) into rural areas to provide health Founded lSGS care, and also accompanied wel­ fare workers into the community.

Dr. H.E. Nelson. a Crookston physician in the early to mid 1900's, also held thc distinction of serving as Polk County Coroner for 57 years. In 1904 he received his medical degree from the University of Illinois (College of Physicians and Surgeons.) RiverviewHospital 1979

In the early 1900's horse and buggy was the transportation of the day. In the cold. severe Minnesota winters of old, a cutter with a team of horses (that covered only four miles an hour) was Dr. Nelson's method of travel over snow packed fields and frozen steams. Wearing a buffalo fur coat and hat. heavy overshoes and weighted down with blankets in the cutter. the doctor was a familiar sight to the townspeople and a most welcome one on many occasions.

During those "pre-antibiotic" days when a physeian was on call at any hour; when boiling water instead of drugs was the usual standby in confinementcas es; when the sick and expectant in surrounding rural areas never worried about 30-40 degrees below temperatures or snow storms cancelling out the doctor's

arrival - - he was always there. often overlooking payment from the poor for his services.

In 1958 he was the recIpIent of gold plaques and acknowlegement pins honoring his fifty-year medical service fromthe Minnesota State Medical Asso­ ciation, Masons, Eagles, Historical Society and various groups in the commu­ nity. In 1970 a recognition dinner was held, co-sponsored by the Polk County Tom Lenertz Peace Officers Association and the Eagles Lodge, to honor him upon his retire­ ment as Polk County Coroner for 57 years. Administrator

79 Crookston Clinic and Northwestern Dr. H.H. Holte, whose white frame Crookston Clinic merged in 1975 and the Crook­ hospital became the original Bethesda ston Clinic staff moved into Northwest­ Hospital in 189S, was also associated ern Clinic, then located at 220 South with Northwestern Clinic in its firstyear C linic Broadway. of operation. His residence at 220 South Broadway was purchased by the clinic Clara Coauette had served the early in its history and remodeled to Crookston Clinic as business manager adapt it to its new purpose. About 19to or 1911, three general from 1926 to 1967 when Dolores Larson practitioners combined their medical replaced her as business manager until skills and began the Crookston Clinic. 1975. On the attending staff were Drs. John F. Norman, Ralph L. Kirsch, and Frank­ Another early member of the clinic lin Dryden. Dr. T.L. Stickney, D.D.S., was Dr. e.L. Oppegaard who joined the joined the group in 1924 and later, Dr. organization in 1924, followed by Dr. e.J. Reseland, D.D.S. L.L. Brown in 1926 and Dr. W.F. Mercil in 1928. Upon Dr. Locken's death in In 1926 the staffwas reorganized with 1937, Drs. e.G. Uhley and R.O. Sather Dr. Victor Hodgson, (eye, ear, nose and joined the Crookston medical scene. throat specialist) and Dr. Arthur C. Physicians who joined the staff after Dean replacing Drs. Kirsch and 1937 were: 1941 - Dr. Randall Deri­ Dryden. The clinic was also moved into field, 1947 - Drs. J.H. Cameron, Arne offices over the Eagle Drug Store in D. Rydland, 1948 - Dr. Martin E. what was known as the Wallace block. Janssen, 1949 - Drs. George E. Boyer, Donald E. Stewart, 1950 - Dr. Adrian Dr. Hodgson retired in 1932 and Dr. R. Jensen, 1951' - Dr. Howard M. Alan Reff became associated with the Wikoff, 1952 - Drs. William J. mcDon­ clinic, followed by Dr. O.K. Behr in ald, Clem F. Burnet, Jr., 1953 - Drs. 1937. Dr. Robert Siman, D.D.S.. joined Stanton A. Hirsh, Hubert D. Clapp, the clinic after World War II. (In the late 1954 - Dr. William Downing, 1957 - 1950's he joined the Red River Valley Drs. Robert F. and Norma B. Schnabel, Dcntal Clinic. then opened a private 1959 - Dr. Kenneth e. Covey, 1960 - office on Route 2.) In 1949. Dr. Donald Dr. Albert H. Fortman, 1962 - Dr. E. Poh l also became a member of the Jacob S. Rubin, 1964 - Dr. Owen W. staff. fo llowed by Drs. Harold Thysell in Northwestern Clinic about 1924. Holm, 1968 - Dr. Necito L. Montaniel, 1952. Norman C. Haugen in 1954 and 1970 - Dr. H.e. Choithani, 1970 - Dr. Joh n A. Jensen in 1955. e.M. Choithani, 1971 - Drs. Pedro R. Northwestern ,Ortegon, Samuel Parra, 1974 - Dr. In December of 1956, after25 years of Ervin Pumula, 1977 - Dr. R.N. location over Eagle Drug, the clinic deNiord, 1978 - Dr. S. Subbaraman. moved to new facilities at 410 North Clinic Broadway. Physicians who joined the staff after 1956 were: 1967 - Dr. Clif­ Crookston's Northwestern Clinic was Others who served in the medical fo rd J. Stadem. 1969 - Dr. Samuel organized October to, 1920. Founders Parra (also affiliated with Northwestern wcre Dr. M.a. Oppegaard, Dr. O.E. community were: Drs. Leon Flancher, Russell R.E. Clinic in 1971). Locken and Dr. e.D. Mitchell. R. Hendrickson, Johnson,

(Continued on Page 81)

j/oun b rb 1960 Crookston people will have the opportunity of being entertained by a moving picture machine Monday night which has a phono­ «rookgton graphic accompaniment. The machine is being installed in the Auditorium today by Louis John­ 11mp lement «0. 11nc . son and Sons at the expense of several thousand dollars. There are only four of the machines giv­ ing exhibitions in the entire United States and the people of this city are especially fortunate 1345 in being among the firstto have this opportunity of seeing such cntertainment as they give. The jfai rfax phonographic connection follow� the action of the picture and it is said that it is the best substitute for thc performances yet devised. (April 3. 1908).

80 (Continued from Page 80) H.M. Wikoff; Urology: Dr. C.M Choithani; Alergy: Dr. N.S. Schnabel. and William G. Paradis (medical staffof Sunnyrest Sanatorium); Drs. Reed San­ Founded lS4S ford, Harold Lindquist, and Arthur Lucian (dentists), Dr. F.A. Janecky Northwestern Clinic now operates a (optometrist) 1939-1978, Dr. Owen satellite clinic in Fertile on Tuesdays Albertson (chiropractor 1947-1978, de­ and Fridays. Buiness manager is June ceased), Charles R. Vaughn (patholo­ Shaver. a position held since 1953 when gist), 1973-1975, Dr. James Brown Mae Rideout retired _after 25 years of (radiologist), 1971-1973, Dr. Timothy service. Doty, (radiologist - deceased) 1973- 1977, Dr. Cyril Dillenburg (pathologist) 1967-1973 and as consultant 1975-1978, One of the earliest druggists in Barlow Dr. Richard Lochner (podiatrist) 1977- Crookston was A.C. Andersen, 1978, Dr. Irvin Engen (podiatrist) 1974- who arrived in Crookston Febru­ 1975, Dr. Robert Edwards, 1958-1960, ary 11, 1888. He established the Dr. Wetherhorn (psychiatrist) late Norsk Drug Store, later renamed Furnitu re 1950's, Henry Hogan and a Dr. Hinton, Andersen Drug, located at 120 1962-1965; Brian Lloyd, 1973-1979. West Robert where the former (Northwestern Mental Health). Woolworth store was located. In 1922, the drug store was sold to and N.C Schreiter, who moved the Currently serving in the medical com­ business to the corner of Robert munity, in addition to clinic staff al­ and Main where Osmon Drug is ready listed are: Dr. Robert Baab (ane­ located today. sthesiologist), Dr. Richard Lamphere Appliance Co. (pathologist), Dr. Lome McKay (optho­ Samuel A. Wallace was another mologist), Drs. Earl Dagg, Robert Car­ prominent Crookston druggist ter and Phillip Murray (radiologist), from before the turn of the cen­ Drs. Donald A. and David C. Peterson. tury until his death in 1941. He (podiatrists), Drs. W.L. Lamb and W.F. owned the Wallace building, Hardt (optometrists), Drs. James John­ present home of Eagle Drug Com­ son, Hradtord A. Ames and Lonnie Ber­ pany, corner of Broadway and ger (chiropractors), Dr. Janet Mac­ Second streets. It was called Gregor (osteopath), Dr. Anthony Fiore Medical Hall in those days. (psychologist), Duane Dale, (M.S. lB2S University C.C.c. certified speech pathologi&t), Mr. Wallace's many charit­ Gary D. Anderson, (M.A. C.C.C. certi­ able endeavors to Crookston and fied audiologist), Sister Anita Wahlen its residents always remained un­ Ave nue (dentist). known, since he demanded com­ plete anonymity in his gifts. Longtimeas sociates were familiar Presently, medical staff at North­ with his desire for no ppblicity western Clinic (in its new location at 400 whatever, and his bequests and South Minnesota since January, 1978) good deeds remained anonymous consists of: Family Practice: Dr. J.A. even afterhis death at age 81. Jensen and C.J. Stadem; Pediatrics: Dr. R.F. Schnabel; Surgery: Drs. R.N. Bill Eagle, an employee of DeNiord, and D.E. Stewart; Obstetrics Samuel Wallace's, took over & Gynecology: Drs. H.C. Choithani, ownership in 1941, changed the H.D. Clapp, W.F. Mercil; Internal name of Eagle Drug and main­ Medicine: Drs. S.A. Hirsh, R.O. Sather, tained the business in the same location for 33 years until 1974 when it was sold to Dick Maves, current owner. "Big A" The Crookston Drug Company was formed by Sherman S. Dan­ iels in 1916. It was sold to a par­ Aut o Supply tnership consisting of H.J. Brun­ elle, Harold Simpson, and W.A. Johnson on March 1, 1948 and occupied space now used by the lOB South Main Thimble. Johnson purchased his partners' interest in 1955, changed the name to Johnson Drug and moved the business to Jerry Xreibic h Founded 1S'3 its present location in June of 1965.

81 Because her husband was transferred, Mrs. Norman left Crookston in the fall of 1958. Sister Petronilla was appointed director in 1958 and served until 1970. Eight women completed the one-year course in September, 1958; all passed state board examinations earning the title L.P.N.

Virginia Norman, first director of St. Francis School of Nursing, 1957-58. Bethesda Hospital nursing staff, resplendent in their billowing uniforms, about the year 1910.

The Nursi ng Prof ession Need Exceede d Supply

In 1947 the Bethesda hospital board tion in 1949. Bethesda Hospital SC!lOol of trustees and Miss Ruby Gregerson, of Practical Nursing was the sixth school Bethesda administrator at that time, ar­ in Minnesota to receive accreditation rived at the conclusion that, although and the third in rural areas, making it a there were more registered nurses than state pioneer in its field. ever before, the demands for nursing services far exceeded the supply. In 1954, when Farley Bright was su­ perintendent, the public schools sys­ A decision was reached at that time to tem began its association with the Sister Petronilla Hoffman, director of establish a school of practical nursing at Crookston school system. Since that St. Francis School of Nursing, 1958-70, Crookston's Bethesda hospital. The time, only one class a year has been and Agassiz Valley School of Practical purpo�e which motivated this decision admitted. In recent years class admis­ Nursing, 1971-79. was to provide a group of trained per­ sion as been about 25 students. sonnel who could relieve the registered nurses of many routine duties, therefore In 1957 St. Francis Hospital School of providing better nursing care for the Practical Nursing was established, re­ patient and for the community which presenting a new venture in the aposto' Bethesda serves. late of the Sisters of St. Benedict. Nurs­ John's TV ing education was not new to the Sisters Registered nurses on many occasions since a school ' of 'Professional nursing found themselves handicapped by had been conducted by the Sisters of St. duties that could be performed by train­ Vincent's Hospital for many years. But ed practical nurses. The registered education of practical nurses was new. nurses were unable to fully utilize the special abilities for which they were pre­ During and immediately fo llowing pared. World War II the scope of nursing prac­ 11S South Main tice enlarged and the demand for more In March, 1948, Mrs. Philip Thorson professional nurses rapidly exceeded was employed at Bethesda to organize the number of nurses being prepared. and direct a Bethesda Hospital Schoolof Practical Nursing. The first class was The admission of eleven women to St. admitted Apri1 12, 1948, with four stu­ Francis Hospital School of Practical dents. Three other classes were ad­ Nursing on September 23, 1957, was the mitted that year. commencement of the dream and effortsof Sister Charitas, administrator, Founded IS'S The Minnesota state board of ex­ of St. Francis Hospital. Mrs. Virginia aminers of nurses officially recognized Norman began her work as the first the school whenthey granted accredita- director of the program early in 1957.

82 In October, 1969, the Bethesda school facilities were moved from Bethesda Nursing were: Elsie Thorson, Nadine An interesting neck-stretching Hospital to the former Randers dormi· Turnquist, Eletha Clapp. LouCeil exercise (one with educational tory adjacent to the hospital, to provide Myrold, Mary Vattendahl, Dorothy expansion for the physical therapy de­ Montague, Betty Heldstab, Vivian overtones) involves peering up at date-embossed buildings in partment. Mrs. Nadine Carlson, Fisher, Forseth, Karen Sandberg, Susan Bent­ accepted the position of director of the zenger, and Nadine Carlson. Crookston that have not as yet school and two new instructors, Mrs. fallen victim to the wrecking baIl. Instructors in the St. Francis Hospital Examples: Merchant's Bank Dona Rae Rutherford and Mrs. Mary program included the following regis­ (1882), 201 No. Main; Union Van Campen, were hired as part-time tered nurses: Eva Anderson, Marlene instructors (three days each, per week). Building (1890) - 111-113 West Henre, Janice Huoey, Ruth Kruta, Robert; Scandia American Bank The school year was shortened from 48 Sandra Morgan, Betty Munn, Darlene to 46 weeks. (1898), 123 West Robert; O'Brien Mushel, Patricia Romuld, Roberta Building (1892) - 116·118 South Pierce, and Sister Mary David Spain. Broadway; Koeppe Building (before 19()0) . 112 North Main; St. Francis Hospital and Bethesda Kiewel Building (1908) - 203 Hospital made reciprocal agreements to North Main, Pavilion Building open their obstetric-newborn clinical (1901 - next to Handee Home facilities to students of each school. It Center. further served to promote a working to­ Agassiz gether of the faculties of both schools. Other buildings built sometime before 1902 are: Fournet Block - Vall ey School of 105 North Broadway; Wallace Block - 117 North Broadway; The Crookston School of Practical Prac tical Nurs ing Opera Block - 115 South Main; Nursing and the St. Francis School of RaIsch Block - 112-114 West Practical Nursing, organized in 1950, Second Street; Vine Block - 108- agreed to combine the schools before The Agassiz Valley School of Practical 110-112 South Broadway; the 1971 school year. Nursing is a satellite program of the McKinnon Block - 105 South Area Vocational Technical Institute at Main and 117 West Robert and East Grand Forks, Mn. Facilities are Reckitt Block 111-123 West 2nd On April 4, the Minnesota Board of located in Robertson Hall at the Univer­ and 122-124 NorthMain . Nursing granted permission for the. de sity of Minnesota in Crookston. All pro­ facto merger and, as requested, to close gram instruction and student activities both existing programs and to form a are at the Crookston location. new school of practical nursing operated by the public school district #593, Administrative control was trans­ named the Agassiz School of Practical ferred January 1, 1976 from School Dis­ Pamida Nursing. trict #593 to School District #595, A VTI in East Grand Forks. Director of the AVTI is Russell Beier. Sister Petronilla, Discount Center director since the Crookston programs Additional instructors who had ser­ merged in 1970, continued in that posi­ vcd at the Bethesda School of Practical tion with the transfer of administrative control. Instructors since that time have Highway 75 South included the following R.N. 's: Nadine Carlson, Frances Nelson, Dona Rae Rutherford, Alice Thompson, Diane Bachmeier, Shirley Brekken, and Sandy Founded 1972 Smith. School secretary since 1970 has been Mrs. Juneth Palmer.

Nursing students at Bethesda in 1913 were (I to r) Johana Silness, Mary Jor­ genson (who married Nels P. Sten­ Recognize any faces? Mrs. Elsie Thorson (in white) was the first director of the shoel), and a Miss Qualey. Bethesda School of Nursing. 83 John W. Padden - 1932-1957 Padden & Dickel - 1957-1966 Padden, Dickel, Johannson - 1966-1970 Padden, Dickel, Johannson, & Wall - 1970-1975 Padden, Dickel, Johannson, Wall, & Taylor - 1975-1976 Dickel, Johannson, Wall & Taylor - 1977- 11\ i kel,c 3Job annson, Wall ani) �aplor

� ttornep � �t law law jiuilb i n g 407 �ortb jiroabwap

John W. Padden Morris Kenneth Lee waU [retired] Dickel Johannson

Office staff [from left to right] Diane Richard Daniel Magnuson, Vickie Dahl, Ruthie Taylor Rust Wilder, Vera Gelen, Judy Amiot, Veda Olson, Lois Bagley and Marge Moe.

84 filli ngs� Extrac tions. • • • •

It All Began in 1885

About 1895, an area newspaper car­ the Red River Valley Dental Building, ried the following ad regarding dental (established 1958); Drs. Harper Jung, service available: "Simple filling - $1; Gary Thomas, Robert Tjossem, Tedd extraction without anaesthesia - $3; Ostrem, Dan Lysne, Richard Carlson, extraction with ether - $5; full upper and orthodontist, Frank Jung. Dr. Brad and lower set of teeth - $15". Clark has established his office at the Northwestern Clinic. According to records, George G. Henault was the first dentist to estab­ William Jung, a dental technician in lish an office in Crookston in 1885. He his 33rd year of practice, operates the was followed by Drs. Thomas Spence, Red River Dental Lab and works in W.A. Robertson and J.F. Bole circa cooperation with a number of area den­ 1899, and Drs. Henry Remele and Paul tists. Hagen by 1914, according to a news­ Red River Valley Dental Clinic paper report of a district meeting held Working solely on a prescription in 1914 in Dr. Bole's office. By 1920, basis, Jung fashions full dentures, they were joined by Drs. Elmer Bertel­ bridges, and crowns for dental patients. ture wearers irritating moments. son, Truman Stickney, Clifford Mit­ The work is a methodical process that Bridgework today is made from very chell, a local dentist for 52 years and begins with a cast from a dentist. As a comfortable plastic material and has an one of the founders of Northwestern wax cast it is fittedto the patient, trans­ attractive porcelain appearance com­ Clinic, and a Dr. Walker, who was fol­ formed into acrylic, cured in a special pared to the unnatural coloring of yes­ lowed in 1922 by Dr. Arthur Lucian. water bath, finished, ground with teryear. Within a few years, a Dr. Lewis and Dr. pumice and then to a high polish. Tibosar also joined the dental ranks, The apprehensive approach to a den­ followed by Dr. c.J. Reseland. In the earlier years of dentistry, ni­ tal visit has been replaced by methods trous oxide (commonly known as laugh­ developed to encourage relaxation. in­ Today, in addition to the office of Dr. ing gas) was the forerunner of today's cluded in these are piped-in music to Robert Siman, located on Route 2, novocaine. The dentist's cumbersome replace the sound of the drill; and Crookston is serviced by seven dentists drill machine was inconveniently foot� sophisticated equipment that has re­ and an orthodontists. Six are located in powered instead of electrically oper­ duced the amount of time and discom­ ated. Vulcanite (hard rubber) gave den- fort for the patipnt.

jfounbeb 1954

etCrook �ton JJ1arinr Jnc.

2 anb 75 �ortb

85 Ag assiz family Healt h Care practice oriented. Almost from its inception, the organi­ zation has had a community board that, Agassiz Family Health Care was ini­ Dr. Cesnik left the organization in until its incorporation, served in an ad­ tiated by Riverview Hospital in Crook­ June of 1978 to join his father in prac­ visory capacity. This board has been ston to deal with the declining number tice. In October of 1978 Richard Karn, made up of representatives from the of primary care physicians in their ser­ P.A., joined the staff at Erskine. With counties of Polk, Red Lake, Mahnomen, vice area. They were aided in this by a his recruitment, Erskine hours were ex­ and Norman. Membership on this board grant from the Public Health Service of panded to a full Monday through Friday has been fairly consistent from its in­ the Department of Health, Education clinic schedule. In March of 1979, Dr. ception. Its officers are: chairman, and Welfare. The hospital received M.e. Entena joined the Ada staff and George Flaskerud (Fosston), vice-chair­ funding for this effort in July, 1976. The hnurs expanded to a full Monday man, Joe Sandberg (Erskine), and organization that developed from this through Friday schedule. Dr. Clifford secretary, Howard C. Smith (Crook­ effort, Agassiz Family Health Care, in­ Robinson will be joining the organiza­ ston). The board has been actively in­ corporated separately from the hospital tion in july. The entire staff is family- volved in assessing the health care on October 1, 1978. Its main office is needs of the communities in this service now located at the Crookston Profes­ area and in determining in what ways sional Center at 223 East Seventh the organization can meet those needs. Street.

During the period that the organiza­ Midland tion was growing as part of Riverview Hospital, they recruited three physi­ cians to the Agassiz staff. The first of Coopera i ves these was Dr. John A. Cesnik, who be­ t gan practice with the organization in September. 1977. He first started work­ ing out of the out-patient department at Incorporated Riverview Hospital and in October the organization established a satellite c1inie in Erskine which Dr. Cesnik work­ ed at two days per week. It.It. 3

Dr. Cesnik was joined in February of 1978 by Drs. Louise A. Kwan and John K. Wood. They are a husband and wife Founded 19B3 team from Canada. In April of 1978 a clinic was opened in Ada two days per week. which was covered by Dr. Kwan. Professional Building

Production jfounbeb 1977 Credi t Association �cb ul? jfurni tur e

122B &: (!Carpet Uni versity Ave. III jl}or tb ,fflain

O_ L.. i>_ FURMITURE Founded 1933 .;;Ic:n::;'!:..�.!PETIIiG

86 Sisters of St. Benedict Established St. Vincent ' s Hos pital in 1902

A small group of Sisters of St. Bene­ time was 116. In the meantime the dict of Duluth under the leadership of Sisters had ample opportunity to learn the late Mother Scholastica Kerst came the sentiment ofthe community towards in the fall of 1900 to open a hospital in the work they had undertaken and were Crookston. They began work in the encouraged by many of the leading Riverside Hospital located on Pine business men to establish here per­ Street on the bank of the Red Lake manently. River, west of the Great Northern rail­ road. The first patient, William Wals­ After the decision was final, the worth , was admitted December 28, Sisters purchased the property on which 1900. From this date until December 12, the present Professional Center stands. 1902, patients received care in this There they built St. Vincent's Hospital. building; the total number during this The contractor was Edward Jackson of Bemidji. The building was ready for oc­ cupancy in December, 1902. Because of the fa st-growing community many new doctors moved into the area to form a The stillness of a winter's setting sur­ clinic. This growth, together with the rounds St. Vincent's, opened as a rest growth of the religious community of home in 1952. Benedictine Sisters, made it necessary in 1919 to add to St. Vincent's. 1976, a ground-breaking ceremony was conducted for its erection. Plans for a new and larger hospital to Corner · replace the overcrowded St. Vincent St. Francis Hospital, which opened its were initiated in the 1940's. In 1950 the doors in 1950, was closed in 1960 as a 5th and Broadway ISO-bed St. Francis Hospital was com­ hospital. After two years of remodeling pleted at a cost of $2,000,000. The pa­ and refurnishing it became St. Francis tients from St. Vincent's were trans­ Residence where people could retire Founded lS74 ferred to St. Francis on June 16, 1950. and enjoy living either in a suite of Dr. Hendrickson, director of the Sunny­ rooms or single rooms, as they desired. rest Sanitorium in Crookston, was the Meals and related services are available first patient to be transferred to the new at the residence. St. Francis. On February 28, 1977, the new St. St. Vincent's Hospital was then con­ Vincent Rest Home was completed and Heldstab's verted into a home for the elderly and the patients were transferred from the those who were terminally ill or incapa­ old building. On July 1, 1979, St. citated and needed nursing care. It be­ Francis Residence and St. Vincent's Fuel & Heating Co. came evident in the 70's, however, that Rest Home became known as Villa St. a new nursing home was needed. In Vincent. 201 South Main

Founded lSSS

Baloney Bill's

423 North Main

Founded lS79

St . Francis Residence, which opened in 1972, was formerly St. Francis Hospital.

87 Su nn !lrest Sa ni toriu m Glenmore fou ndation patient care under medical- supervision. Recently, Glenmore also opened a new Estab lished 1917 Crookston has always had its share of family treatment program. people who have had problems with alcohol--In Crookston's youth, many of The Glenmore treatment programs these poeple were called just plain are operated by the Glenmore Founda­ Sunnyrest Santorium, at one time tion, which is directed by Robert C. considered one of the finest tuberculosis "drunks." They aroused disgust or anger, depending on the point of view Wittenstrom, the Foundation's execu­ sanatoriums in the state, opened its tive director. The Glenmore Treatment doors in 1917. The total number of sana­ and generally were regarded as hope­ �s. Few people before the modern era C;nter at 600 College Avenue opened toriums operating in Minnesota during its doors in 1973. The building in which the early 1900' s was seventeen. VIewed chemical dependency as an ill­ ness. Addiction to drugs other than the program is housed is the former alcohol was not common, especially in Sunnyrest Sanitorium. Glenmore oper­ small communities like Crookston, and ates a 14-bed detox unit, a 35-bed pri­ Sunnyrest was owned and operated people involved in these other drugs mary treatment unit, its family pro­ solely by Norman and Polk Counties un­ were generally found in larger cities. gram, and an out-patient clinic in this til 1954. With the introduction of new, building. effective anti-tuberculosis drugs after Today many communities offer help World War II, case-loads in all TB insti­ for persons who are chemically depen­ The Glenmore programs now provide tutions became reduced dramatically. dent. Modern treatment programs services to patients from all over Minne­ As a result, Oakland Park Sanatorium in bring together psychological, social, sota as well as from other states. In Thief River Falls was closed in 1954 and and spiritual aid to complement the ser­ addition to the executive director, the staffconsists of: Dr. Clifford J. Stadem, its remaining patients and some staff vices provided by medical doctors. The medical director; Allen Pedersen, su­ were transferred to the Crookston facil­ Glenmore Treatment Center in Crook­ pervisor of support services; Willard ity. Administration of the combined ston offers both in-patient and out- operation was governed by a board of Kotts, supervisor of almuni, field ser­ directors comprised of representatives vices and public relations; Rev. Howard from the owner-counties, Norman and Schuett, chaplain; Edroy Anderson, Polk, plus the five additional counties supervisor of treatment services; Ruth which the institution now served. Nepper, director of nursing; William Elleson, senior chemical dependency therapist; Mindy Johnson, chemical Sunnyrest continued to provide in­ dependency therapist; Dr. Dennis patient service under this combined Brekke, adolescent chemical depen­ management until 1967. By that time dency therapist; Diane Markel, family the treatment of tuberculosis was so therapist; Vickie Heckman, receiving succcssful that hospitalization was rare­ center counselor; Margaret Osmond­ ly rcquircd and Sunnyrest was closed as son, intake and aftercare coordinator; an in-treatment facility. The main build­ Debra Peterson, quality assurance ing was vacated, later to become an coordinator. alcoholic treatment center; however the Board retained space on the ground A forerunner of Glenmore in Crook­ tloor and continued to provide services ston was the Sunnyrest Treatment to the seven counties through their Center which was begun by Merv Wick establishment of the Northwest Tuber­ and a number of other area business­ culosis Outpatient Clinic in July of 1967. Glenmore Foundation men and professionals in 1967. Dr. R.O. Sather served as its medical di rector throughout its exis­ tence, until December of 1977 when the Clinic was closed. Polk County Commissioner Alfon Hanson of Crook­ ston served on the governing board of both the Sanatorium and the Outpatient Clinic for many years. Jfl iller'1)..1a irwap Northland Computer Service 1500 mtnil1£r�itp SIS East Robert

Founded 1978

88 , Northwestern Mental Heal th Associated Heating The Northwestern Mental Health The major portion of staff time is de­ Center in Crookston had its beginnings voted to outpatient services, direct in 1957 at an organizational meeting services to individuals and families. planned by Emil Bagley, Dr. Howard Wikoffand Judge Philip Anderson. The present staff includes: Roy US Horth Main In 1957 the Minnesota Legislature Waters, area program director; Ken passed enabling legislation which pro­ Barkman, psychiatric social wor ker; vided a partnership program with local Allen Fannin, David Shuller, Sally government and others to establish and Hirsh, Kathryn Zoff Seivert, Jim Clark, Founded 1945 develop community mental health pro­ and John Tyler, consulting clinical psy­ grams to serve the needs of the mental­ chologists; RoseMary Henderson, psy­ ly ill , developmentally disabled and chiatric nurse; Richard Ramey, chemi­ chemically dependent. cal dependency coordinator; Daniel Wilson, mental health coordinator; Jim In September, 1957, county commis­ Froseth, chemical dependency counse­ sioners, judges, physicians, welfare lor; Mary Holman, psychometrist; Mary directors and other interested citizens Ann Simmons, mental health educator; The Thimble from eight counties held a study meet­ Steve Pories, developmental disabilities ing. specialist; Renae NyhUS, social worker; Oscar Elshaug, mental health consul­ Consultants from the mental health tant; Herb Schneider, business man­ services of the Department of Public ager; JoAnn Russell, Jeanine Kotsch­ U1 Horth Broadway Welfare spoke to the group about fund­ war, and Richard Vogel, psychology ing a community mental health center. residents. 1970 Dr. Wikoff served as chairman and Founded Bagley as executive secretary.

The first board meeting was held October 21, 1957. Members of the ori­ ginal board included Rev. Raymond Heglin and Bagley of Polk County, Merle Horman Armand Benoit of Red Lake County, Dr. Clifford Stadem of Norman County, Beauty Shop Warren Saetre and Peter Grant of Marshall County, Vernon Strandemo of 19se Mahnomen County, Norman Peterson of Pennington County, Clifford Skime of Roseau County and George Sele of Northwestern Mental Health Cosmetics and Gifts Kittson County. 19B3 Operations began July 1, 1958, lo­ cated on the second floor of Sunnyrest Sanitorium with a staffof three. Paddy and Paul lDB East nob art

II Since the Center opened its doors, the seven counties have become a national­ BB" Service ly acclaimed leader in developing inno­ vative programs that provide a broad scope of services to the community. Climax Credit Union

The Center is now located on College Avenue in what was the nurses', dormi­ tory for Sunnyrest. A branch office in SlS East Robert Karlstad opened in 1978. A study is 107 East Second being conducted about opening a branch in Mahnomen.

The programs of the NW Mental Health Center are developed to meet specific needs of a seven-county area Founded lS31 Founded lSS3 and are administered by an Area Men­ tal Health Board. 89 Fee s Once Paid With Produce

There were four law offices with six Attesting to the esteem in which they practitioners established in Crookston were held by their fellow practitioners, when it was incorporated as a city 100 two Crookston attorneys have been years ago: W.A. Marin, Charles S. chosen as president of the Minnesota Loring, Halvor Steenerson, William State Bar Association, A.C. Wilkinson Watts, R.J. Montague and George H. in 1895 and John W. Padden in 1970. Palmer. Crookston has had two Charles Throughout the years Crookston's Lorings. The Minnesota Supreme Court jurists have served in roles of great re­ Justice began practice here in 1900. sponsibility in the bar associations. Judge Loring and Mr. Padden each ser­ The century has seen upwards of 100 ved for a number of years as members names representing the legal profes­ of the State Board of Bar Examiners, sion, many throughout long life spans, and each served as chairman of the several with brilliance and distinction, board. Crookston lawyer, Morris Dickel, some with enviable records in the field now serves on this board, to which he of public service as well as law. Practi­ was appointed by the Minnesota Su­ cally all of these men have been active preme Court in the year 1971. Crook­ in community affairs and have contrib­ ston attorney Leonard A. Erickson has uted measurably to the growth and served as a member and has been state progress of the city. Through their state chairman of the Minnesota State Board and national bar associations, a number of Professional Responsibility, the have had major impact in the improve­ board which polices the legal ethics of ment and refinement of their profes­ Minnesota lawyers. It has attained a po­ sion. sition of national prominence because of the influence of these men and of many William Watts, Judge of the District Three distinguished District Court others before them in seeking high Court from 1898-1934, is believed to Judges and one Chief Justice of the standards of excellence and integrity in have held the state record for tenure on Minnesota Supreme Court have come the practice of law and the administra­ the bench . from their ranks. William Watts, Judge tion of justice. Mr. Padden is a present of the District Courtfrom 1898 to 1934 is member and past president of the believed to hold the state record for ten­ Minnesota State Board of Judicial tury, the legal profession has attracted ure on the bench. J.H. Sylvestre and Standards, charged with the responsibi­ "back home" a number of its native James E. Montague served as District lity of maintaining the veracity of the sons, who, by establishing themselves Judges with such distinction that each Judiciary in Minnesota. here have given testimony to their faith man, following his retirement from the in and regard for the community. bench, was called upon by the State In the political arena, Halvor Steener­ Supreme Court for service in judicial son brought honor to the community The roster of officers of Crookston's roles outside their district. Charles Lor­ and to the profession through his long civic and fraternal organizations as well ing served on the Supreme Court for 23 years of service in Congress. Among the as its business corporations in the past years, as Justice from 1930 to 1944 and more brilliant legal careers was that of 100 years would reveal few which did thereafter as Chief Justice until his re­ G. Aaron Youngquist, who became not include the name of an attorney. tirement in 1953 . Mr. Loring died in Attorney General of the State of Minne­ They have been and continue to be in­ 1961 at age 87. The Crookston bar also sota and thereafter Special Assistant volved in the community's growth and produced the current Judge of District United States Attorney General, and progress, extending themselves beyond Court, Robert A. Peterson. who is generally credited with conduct­ their professions for the well .being of ing the investigation which led to the their town. conviction and imprisonment of notori­ ous Chicago gangster AI Capone on in­ Early day lawyers have been heard to come tax evasion charges. Arso among reminisce about taking farm produce in the more colorful careers was that of payment of fees. Many of the earlier George Hagen, now residil1g in Mary­ documents were hand written, and it land, who left Crookston for the Adju­ was a rare practitioner who started out tant General 's office and became in­ with both a secretary and a typewriter. volved in war criminal proceedings in Many were their own clerk typists. A both Germany and Japan. law library of 400 volumes valued at $1200 was regarded with awe at the tum Despite the growth in the population of the century. Yesterday's fee of a side of the city in the past 30 years, the num­ of pork is a far cry from today's percent­ ber of legal personalities has not varied age of settlements or verdicts which can greatly. Today, the active practitioners and do run into the hundreds of thou­ number 16, plus 2 judges and 2 retired sands of doIlars. It is a far cry from a law attorneys. There have been periods in book costing $3 to today's costs, often at the city's history when the numbelOwas 20 times that figure. It is a far cry from The Hon. Halvor Steenerson was elect­ larger. Deaths and the lure of war­ being one's own typist and secretary to ed state senator in 1882, two years after related jobs reduced the number to a the well-staffed and equipped offices by his arrival in Crookston. In 1901 he was low point in the early 1940's. but by the today's legal firms. But things have elected to the U.S. House of Represen­ latter part of that decade. others were changed in the century since Crookston tatives. joining the scene. Throughout the cen- began.

90 Martin O'Brien • June, 1889

Wilkinson, Schmidt & O'Brien •

O'Brien and Sylvestre • 1923·1945 J.B. Sylvestre . 1945·1949 � ricksotl, L.A. Erickson . 1949·1958 Erickson, Erie · 1979·1969 �ric anb eblanb Erickson, Erie, Odland · 1970'present �ttorneps �t law

jfirst J!ational jiank jiui lbi ng 201 J!ortb jiroabwap

Leonard Erickson Ken Erie Ed Odland

Charles Fitzgerald

Office staff · Pam Swenson, Kathy Pinsonneault and Rosanne Nesvold. Not pictured: CoUeen Bjerke and Kathy Charles Reynolds Pawlik.

91 In a recent interview the Judge re­ A Cente nnial Salute to­ called some details froin his past. "My dad and Mr. O. Mercil and Nap Dufault had a general store where Harry Syl vestre Erickson Electric is now. That was be­ fore the telephone was in general use. Everyone working in the store would go One of Crookston's most respected Rolvaag election contest. Facts regard­ � to the different homes (customers) and citizens is J. Harry Sylvestre, retired ing the case can be found in "Recoun ", take orders. Then they'd fill the orders Judge of the District Court, a position a publication by authors Ronald F. Sttn­ and deliver them that day with horse he held from 1949 to 1965. The judge is nett and Charles H. Backstrom. He re­ and rig. (Free!) a native and life-long resident here, a tired as a district judge of the Ninth graduate of Central High and Notre Judicial District on April 30, 1965. "We had pla.ces in town where Dame University, and a distinguished Thereafter,on assignments of the Chief youngsters could get work in t!te sum­ Minnesota jurist. Justice of The Supreme Court he served m.er back them, too. There were two as a Referee of that court and as a trial brickyards and a saw mill. He was born in the city in 1893, the judge in the work ofthe District Court in various counties of the state. In 1975 he son of Isaiah and Georgianna Sauve "I worked in the saw mill in 1912, not Sylvestre, pioneers. His hobby is Polk retired from all work of a legal or judi­ as a laborer but as a piece worker when County history, especially the story of cial nature. 1 was in high school. If the two of us how the land was surveyed and divided boys worked from6.3 0 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. into acreage and townships. Over the with a half-hour for lunch, we could years he has accumulated an invaluable make 400 ' grain doors at two cents a­ library dealing with the background/ the piece, a total of $4 for each of us. We events, and the people ofthis area. thought we were living in clover be­ cause the wages then for day labor were During World War I he served in the $2.50 a day for a ten-hour day." United States Army. He was admitted to the practice of law as an attorney "I do feel we've lost quite a bit as a in Minnesota in 1920 and was thereafter transportation center. Good heaves, we engaged in the general practice of law were a railroad center and then a bus at Crookston for 29 years, serving center for a while. I can remember when eleven years as City Attorney. On Nov­ there must have been three or four pas­ ember 23 , 1949 he was appointed as a senger trains daily on the Northern judge of the District Courtof Minnesota Pacific,besides all the others that would with chamber at Crookston and w come on the Great Northern. elected til lle off: 2e at the 1950, 195 .., and 1962 general e:eetions.

In 1962 he was a member of the panel of three district court judges who pre­ Occupied in his favorite diversion of re­ sided and made the final determination search , Harry Sylvestre, a former Judge Pizza Plaza in the proceedings for the statewide re­ of the District Court, has built an in­ count of the ballots cast for Governor at formative library regarding Crookston's the general election in the Anderson- history. 113 South Main

Founded lSBS

These are 1925 city officials. In row one are O. Mercil. John Saugstad. Jacob Kohler, Sr .. The sixth man is Emil Rossberg. In row two the fourth person is Harry Sylvestre. (Sorry about the rest. We tried!)

92 Is There AnV Culture in Grover 's Corner ?

If you think the life of the Crook­ ston pioneers was a humdrum of plowing, battling grasshoppers, worrying over business or crops, freezing in winter, and, in general, being plagued by boredom, you are dead wrong. They had fun. Certain­ ly they worked hard to make a living and had many privations, but if out­ side entertainment wasn't pro­ vided, they had enough imagina­ tion, ingenuity, and wit to entertain themselves. And they did. By the mid-eighties and nineties and the early years of this century, of course, they were fortunate enough to enjoy top performers and perfor­ mances in the local opera houses, to have clubs and lodges, fairs, lyceums, dances, horse races, sports, a library, as well as musical organizations and the annual Chautauqua. Most early citizens, in_ the accounts of their existence here, declared that life was usually pleas­ The Carnegie Public Library, built in 1909, will be replaced in the near future with an ant and happy. underground library next to the post office.

Franklin now stands. Mrs. Sadie vases. Current Events Club sponsored a Visiting your neighbors and having Hussey was selected as assistant libra­ lecture course and also gave additional them come to see you - these were rian. funds to purchase books and a piano. probably the principal social activities in Woman's Club donated books and the early 70's. The women chatted and With the intent of establishing a lar­ paintings. J.P. Foote presented an oil gossiped as they sewed or knitted; the ger, more permanent library, several in­ painting in memory of his mother. Miss men discussed their problems and play­ fluential people in the community held a Lommen herself donated 100 books she ed a few hands of cards. (Playing-cards book shower in 1902. The result was 500 had won in a contest, and the Young were cheap, only ten cents a pack.) books which became the basis for the Men's Debating Club gave portraits of Hunting and fishing, though an econo­ city library. Two rooms in the Odd Fel­ Washington and Lincoln. mic necessity, were pleasant recreation, lows Hall at Robert and Ash were and gathering berries, nuts, and wild rented to hold the acquisitions. fruits occupied the women and helped fillthe larder, too. The first appointed librarian, a Mrs. Van Arnum, served for only a short time before moving from the city. On May 1, Swanson and Brouse 1902, she was replaced by Elizabeth Walsh says that in 1875, despite great Lommen, whose salary of $20 a month Attorneys At Law loss of population to Fisher's Landing, was increased in a year to $25. A direc­ the remaining settlers ' 'had fun holding tor was soon hired at $100 a month, but dances, giving theatricals, and attend­ because there were no funds to pay him, ing clubs, debates, and surprise contributions were solicited monthly. Crookston parties. " Still pursuing the dream of a perma­ nent library site, the board appealed to Professional Center Andrew Carnegie, renowned philan­ Women in the town established what thropist. The resulting contribution was 223 East 7th Street they called a reading room in the old $17,500 for the present building, which school building as early as 1879. There was completed in 1909. Library board they kept as many as 20 newspapers for members, Judge William Watts, Mrs. the citizens to read. In 1882 books were Adolph Just, and J.W. Wheeler, head­ county Attorney lent by the populace so that a circulating ed the list of subscribers to raise funds library could be set up. By 1883 several to purchase the site on Robert and Ash. Wayne H. Swanson large donations had been made. A Mr. Ayers was the first librarian. The old Following the dedication, numerous Assistant County Attorney Baptist Church was chosen to house the gifts were received to help furnish the books, and when this site was sold, the building. D.F. Turner provided six Michael S. Brouse town chose a location where the Ben hammered copper jardinieres and

93 Librarians who served over the years were: Elizabeth Lommen (1902-1924); Virginia Heston (1924-1926); introduced children's story hour and reading club; Clara Bordwell (1926-1930); Claire (Winzenberg) Madden (193171954); Leonard Stasney (1954-1955); Cleo McDonald (1955-1972); Cheryl Bjoin (1972-1978). Warren Phillips is current: ly director of Crookston's Polk County Library.

UPDATE: In 1959 the county commis­ sioners levied a one mill tax to finance the establishment of the county library, a project decided upon following a vote of the people. The project had been spearheaded by Cleo McDonald, librar­ ian at the time. Fosston and McIntosh libraries joined the Polk County System. The Polk County-Crookston Library be­ Upstairs in this impressive building, in the right center, was Crookston's beautiful came part of the Lake Agassiz Regional Opera House built in 1891 on Main between Robertand Fletcher. library in 1975. Today, most libraries in Minnesota belong to a regional library system, resulting in better service and Nothing was too melodramatic or A second fine Crookston theater was cooperation between neighboring public difficult for Crookston's amateur actors built about 1912 - the Grand, at 124 E. libraries. to undertake in the eighties and nine­ Second Street. This architectural gem ties. Plays were a good source of enter­ with its ornate decor, box seats, and tainment for everyone. These early splendid acoustics was the victim of ar­ Thespians even put on Shakespeare. A son when first constructed, but by The Library Board became a county local playwright named Palmer wrote a August 31, 1913, its manager, A.J. board in 1959 with nine city and county drama called "The Rebellion" in 1890. Cavanaugh, had the damage repaired members. Four of its members now This serious work starred Messrs. R.J. and the theater reopened. Its stage, too, serve on the 19-member Lake Agassiz Montague and W.A. Marin. Like many spotlighted many famous people. The Regional Library Board. another amateur production, there was Grand was purchased by the Hiller fam­ a goof at the climax that brought gig­ ily in 1918 and is still owned by them. gles instead of groans from the audi­ A $70,000 donation from the Rosen­ ence. Marin, shot in a tense moment of Unfortunately, neither playhouse thal Foundation will be used towards tragedy, fell in the wrong spot on the kept good historic records of names of the cost of constructing Crookston's stage and had to be dragged off before plays or of performers or lecturers - new underground library , to be located the climactic curtain could be lowered. only the recollections of a few older citi­ next to the post office and completed by zens give sketchy accounts of what the the summer or faH of 1981. theater-goer saw and heard back then.

"Ten Nights in a Bar Room" was a popular vehicle for both amateurs and professionals, and the town was treated to a number of performances by both types. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" as a popu­ LeMar MARK TWAIN lar traveling show was going strong well into this century. c I'. ' . f. " ,'� •. ", .". 11",,, .. ,,.\ .. In ""r �t 1,•• >1, "'f� 1 ..... ,. I ••I .�· ' .. • ...., .1"" ""'.' .. . i.··. I" � "" I "�I ,II , ••• . ' .. ,� ••�. IIM'il "., ..."·r .,tI Photography t, ,, "I .�. '. " ...... , ,,�. _ "''''y .I.I.. . . ' ... � 10. . _1,1. _I r_-h ...... '� ••nd ...... , I.II� ••• "" ...... ,,,," , t·· ....11 ... )·. ,�t II, .. ,.. ...h, � .11 , ... ". "'��,.I I . o .,,1.- t. I. " ....'l� I� .. )�.... "' ... � . • ,,�. ",' I" .'. ' I� f .... . " A ...... � ••• �Ii .....· .. ...,' ",1'" - 11I 1�." I .'"" ... . "'...... " .... ".*. . 'h,.." I' ... •• The construction of Crookston's ..... '". ,,' �In _:(:r··'�.!o:;_: . ",I_" ..._. _ ...'r�"hI'"',_� _'''_b. _' _...l",hI"_ .._. '. _."'....._' 'd''_. •• � ..__ •. __ famous Opera House in 1891, which seated 500, made possible the presenta­ GRANO OPERA HOUSE tion of more sophisticated legitimate 113 West Second I drama in the community. These shows Crookston, July29. frequently starred top-ranked stage per­ sonalities. The theater was housed up­ 1:' ... ·1 \'· )'0.••• ,. S"I,' "r"'"'' N . ; T"'II \I •.• Ii.: 'h.". stairs in what is still called the Opera - • 11\ I,,!> :::!. ;1 1 10',1I1 1.. ".! ". IU Block at 115Vl So. Main. It was built by G Thomas H. Bjoin, father of Mrs. Agnes Founded by Nelson. Though it is reputed to have been a beautiful theater, stricter fire laws in the end of the first decade of this century. forced its closing as a play· S. Johnson in IS'S house because it was on the second floor. 94 Wel1 recorded and documented, how­ ever, is the appearance of one famous man; the great American author, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain). He ar­ rived here for a lecture, via Great North­ ern, on July 29, 1895, and left town again on July 30, en route to the West, "the greatest tour of the century". He talked to a capacity audience at the Opera House, an audience that was made up of people coming by train from as far east as Fosston and as far north as Hal10ck - as wel1 as from Crookston, of course. Lake people even came in from Maple and Union Lakes in those days of no cars.

Twain was said to have been so im­ pressed with his reception from the audience that he stepped down from the stage and shook hands. Everybody loved it.

(Kinghorn, N.D. - "Mark Twain in The gentleman sitting on the baggage cart is Mark Twain, who lectured in Crookston on the Red River Val1ey of the North" July 29, 1895. The women are his wife and daughter. Minnesota Historian - Winter, 1977).

Crookston's splendid theatrical fare Adams, James O'Neill (father of By the way, this celebrity and his during the early years of this century Eugene), Mrs. Leslie Carter, Marguer­ family were the first guests to stay at was largely due to the cooperation of ite Clark, Louis James, Al1a Nazimova, the newly built Hotel Crookston, even C.P. Walker of Fargo, manager and David Warfield, Dustin Farnum, C. though it didn't open official1yuntil July owner of the Fargo Opera House. Aubrey Smith, May Robson, John 30, commented the Minnesota Historian Walker booked shows and attractions Barrymore, Mrs. Patrick Campbel1, in the same issue. for theaters in fivetowns which he cal1- Maxine Elliott, William Faversham, ed the "Bread Basket Circuit". The Minnie Maddern Fiske, J.H. Stoddart, dates were from about 1906 to 1912 and and Tom, William, and Joseph Jeffer­ Tom Thumb (Charles Sherwood the towns were Fargo, Grand Forks, son, Jr. Stratton) made an appearance here Crookston, Winnipeg, and Brainerd, about 1899. Jeannette Fournet recal1s the itinerary being in that order. The her mother, Laura Brown Fournet, tel1- Circuit made possible the booking of ing about meeting him and attending many fine shows at the Opera House at his show when she was a young teen­ that time because the five theaters pro­ ager. vided a week's work with a relatively small number of miles for companies which traveled offthe beaten path from East to West.

Esten Estenson, in his 90's, marched in The admission to these performances the Diamond Jubilee parade in Crook­ was relatively cheap: 50 cents to $3 for ston in 1954. He had been honored that Elks Lodge the highest price seat, depending on year by having a wooden nickel issued the attraction. Ruth Walker Harvey, with his picture on it. daughter of Mr. Walker, in her book No.342 "The Curtain" explains: "Theatre go­ ing was not expensive. A $2.50 top was a high-priced scale. My father believed in keeping prices down, and you could Gary's Fisher Avenue always get into the gal1ery ... ". The price there was a quarter. Barb er Shop Although Fargo had numerous shows - musicals, drama, comedy, during the period - it has been impossible to de­ 104 East Kobert Founded 1920 termine which ones were on the Bread Basket Circuit and were brought to Crookston and the other three towns. The same is true for the famous actors Founded lSSl and actresses. Some of those who probably appeared here were Maude 95 High's industrial arts department addi­ tion and the school parking lot now are. Throughout the country this was the set-up.

A typical program would usually in­ clude several inspirational and informa­ tive speeches, a band concert, singers, a play or musical or both, a string group, and maybe a pet show for the kids. Prices were cheap. A season ticket was as low as SI, and individual admis­ sions were fifty and twenty-five cents. You sat on hard folding chairs, and sometimes it was devilishly hot, but you still liked it.

Eleanor Beauty Shop They loved a parade. Another Fourth of July celebration!

Swedish-American plays were popu­ Anyone over the age of 60 should lar at the tum of the century in this remember Chautauqua, that great sum­ area. The star of at least some of these mer entertainment which came to small were Emily Erickson Greene, who be­ towns every year for a week and pre­ 31B South Ash came the wife of William Muench, local sented wholesome programs that were game warden. The Muench home was suited to the rank and file of patrons. located in Sampson's Addition where There were many troupes in all sections the high-rise now stands. Two of Mrs. of the United States who traveled all Muench's plays were "That Little over a large area every summer. Swede" (1904-5) and "Tilly Olson" (1908). Crookston's Chautauqua, like all the others, was always under the sponsor­ Founded 1939 A dance group called the Winnipeg ship of a local underwriting committee. Kiddies was a regular visitor at the Programs were held in a tent 48 x 36 Grand for several years in the second feet on the property where Central decade of this century. Crookston also saw Blackstone the Magician, heard William Jennings Bryan, and listened to Sousa's Band. For the performance of the latter, the school board, according to its minutes, denied the teachers' re­ quest for a half-day holiday so that they could attend. The date was February 28, 1900.

Music played an important role in the city in the early 1900's. 1n 1902 the city directory lists the 27 member Crookston Band, directed by G. Oliver Riggs. In 1911 the group was renamed the Citi­ zen's Band of Crookston and was di­ rected by A. Waushausen, who was also the high school band director. The Car­ man Concert Club was in existence in 1902 at 1609 So. Main. Other music groups included the Crookston Mando­ lin Club, the Crookston Stringed Or­ chestra, the Riggs Orchestra, and the Up-to-Date School of Music at 104 No. Main. By 1911 there were three other Horse racing was a favorite sport in the late '90's and early 1900's. This handsome orchestras listed: Burkhardt's, Merth's, thoroughbred, owned and driven by Ben Capistran, won many races in his day. His and Walker's. name was Hamnut. 96 Though Chautauqua retained its popularity until the '30's in some parts of the country, it probably was most successful in this area from about 1907- 1915.

By the end of the second decade of this century the silent movie had re­ placed the legitimate theater in the smaIl town. Many were exceIlent; others corny by our standards. The audience sat speIl-bound as the spumed villain tied Pauline to the railroad track. The piano player (every movie house had a piano player) added excitement with crescendo added to crescendo (Poet & Peasant Overture, probably) as the train drew near. But just then Honest Harry peddled up breathlessly on his bicycle (Hearts and Flowers), un­ tied the ropes binding her slender frame, snatched her up in his arms, and escaped with her just as the locomotive steamed by at twenty miles an hour. But, alas, the foiled villain would still try to get his revenge. Continued next The Grand Theatre soon afterit opened about 1912. week. (Pauline never had a quiet mo­ ment!) the location of Emerson Insurance. Tom and bunting, and there was always a Mix and other HoIlywood stars are said parade, a band, a picnic, private or Of course, all the early silent movie to have made frequent appearances at public, and a patriotic speech or two. fare was not of this ilk - there were the Lyric. The more ambitious mothers garbed some that are considered masterpieces their girls in red, white, and blue cos­ � today in spite of the handicaps in a bud­ Vaudeville shows were popular-( too, tumes, which, by day's end, were in ding industry. With the advent of the and many good bills reached Crookston. shreds like Mama's nerves. Patriotism talkies in the 30's, the film as entertain­ Mrs. Hiller says that the Grand had ran strong in the blood of the smaIl town ment took on new dimensions, for better vaudevilIe every weekend in the early resident. Often there were night fire­ or worse. For a time Crookston had an 20's. During the week the motion pic­ works for everyone as a climax to the abundance of movie houses: the Grand; ture was changed two or three times. day. Kids, of course, had their own bags the Bejou (1911) at 20S No. Main; the of treasures to be lit surreptitiously near Lyric on South Main in the McKi�non Holidays like the Fourth of July were unwary grownups. The family dog spent Block, the Lyceum, 1908; the Royal, in occasions for town celebrations. The the day under a bed! the Fournet Block; and the Gopher, now main streets were decorated with flags

Gather round, folks !.... the show will soon begin. Traveling tent shows were a popular form of entertainment from 1907-191S. They featured vaudeville acts and much , much more ...aIl for the price of a 2S-S0-cent ticket. Third from left in back row is Walter Ohm, whose mother is'a resident of Riverview Nursing Home. 97 Crookston Community Theatre

The Crookston Community Theatre is a group of amateurs who hold a mutual interest in the theatrical and visual arts, and volunteer their time and energy to bring to the public theatrical produc· tions of quality and distinction. The cur· Practicing with T. W. Thorson for the " Seven Last Words" are Marlene Hitchcock, Jean rent Community Theatre is a non-profit Ann Hanson, AlbertFyll ing, Elmer Thompson, Henry Espe, and Dr. C.L. Oppegaard. corporation that began in 1976. Their season now consists of three produc­ tions produced from July to June. Pro­ ductions so far have included children's theatre, melodrama, mystery drama, comedy, dinner theatre and musicals. Musicals given have been "My Fair Lady", "Oliver!", "Cinderella" and Known to his students and contem­ "The Music' Man" . poraries as "T. W." , Theodore W. Thorson was, and in memory is, a le­ The Crookston Community Theatn gend in this town. He came here from has been recognized as a local arts en Fertile as director of the city band in deavor worthy of receiving grants frO! 1929 and thereafter was involved in both the Minnesota State Arts Board Crookston musical activities until his and the Regional Arts Task Force. death in 1973 . Grants have been used to fund, in part, the musicals, "Cinderella" and "The In 1932 he became music director in Music Man", which have drawn audi­ the Crookston Public Schools, where his ences of over 2000 from the area. The influence on students was profound. A size of audiences for all productions firm task master who demanded the steadily increases with each season, best of his musicians, he yet was re­ proving the need to continue some type spected and loved by those whom he of visual arts program in the area. taught. Besides his school work he or­ ganized and conducted a male chorus of men from the area, known as the North­ west Singers, was leader of the Ninth April 9, 1955, was significant District Band and the Drum and Bugle for a hundred or more Crookston Almira E:tgle served as accompanist for Corps, both state champions, and led musicians and for their fans at many groups, Here she is rehearsing forty performances of Crookston's Good home. The group appeared on a with part of the cantata orchestra: Friday cantatas. Thorson also served his national hookup for a presenta­ Merle Miller, Elaine Boyer, Karen church as choir director for many years. Brown, tion of Dubois' "The Seven Last and Ken Wold. Words of Christ". The hour-long program was televised over KXJB-TV. The director? You guessed it - T .W. Thorson. The narrator? Jerry Dahlberg. The ac­ jfounbeb 1958 companists? Almira Eagle, piano, and Alpha Morek, organ. �un bet '� «ra ft Shoes H Such anb 1$obbp �bop 111 West 2nd Street

Founded 1934 214 J}ortb Jiroabltlap

98 Clu bs Gal ore ... • • • • And Then Some More Found ed 1935

Crookston for many years has Masons of Minnesota. In 1926 he was organizations number In the scores, chosen Grand Sentinel of the Grand and scheduling events without too Chapter of Eastern Star of Minnesota. much conflict sometimes becomes Crookston Lodge was again honored Coast To Coast an impossibility. This listing-In­ when Sam Erickson of Crookston was complete, by the way, proves why. elected to the post of Grand Master of Minnesota. Information received by the staff Store of this book could easily fill another Elks Lodge volume devoted to clubs, but the editors have had to curtail these ac­ Crookston Lodge No. 342 Benevolent counts for lack of space. We have and Protective Order of Elks was chart­ kept copies of material submitted In ered July 7, 1896, with 27 members and 121 West hopes so me group feels ambitious F.X. Gravel as the first exalted ruler. enough to compile such a record. Meetings wereheld in the LO.O.F. Hall until 1899 when the old Masonic Hall in ItobertSt reet Crookston Masonic Lodge the Fournet Block was leased. Crookston Masonic Lodge No. 141 In January, 1912, the new Elks Home was chartered January IS, 1880, and at 111 No. Main Street was dedicated at (Coast to Coast organization held their meetings in a building owned a total cost of $45,000. That same year fo unded in 1928) by Felix Fournet, a lodge hall they oc­ the lodge voted to prohibit liquor on the cupied until January, 1899. In April, premises. A few years later, however, it 1898, they entered into an agreement was allowed at the exalted ruler 's dis­ cretion. with Sam Wallace to build a third floor Owners: on the Wallace Drug Store, now known Many charitable projects have been L..D. Eide 4/29/35-7/10/37 as the Eagle Drug. The building was sponsored, including the annual child­ A.H. Magnuson 7/10/37- completed and dedicated as a Masonic ren's Christmas party, started in 1914 at 8/30/40 Temple on October 25, 1899, by Most the Grand Theatre and still continued, Lloyd Iverson 8/30/40- Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of with the Grand Theatre and Hiller fam­ 9/26/53 Minnesota Brother A. G. Gibbins, ilies as hosts. Annual Christmas baskets Sam Kabanuck 9/26/53- Rochester, Minnesota, and Deputy have also been delivered. 2110158 Grand Master H. Brandenburg of Cor­ Del Smith 2/10/58-1 /28/63 In the late 1960's private liquor li· n�r Stone Lodge l'!o. 99. The officers of Rolland Breed 1/28/63- Crookston Lodge 141 at that time were: censes were introduced in Crookston, 6/17165 Brothcr Thomas Morris, Worshipful and the added competition made it diffi­ E.C. and Mildred Viste Master; L.H. Judson, Sr. Warden; cult to maintain the Elks Home on North 6/17165-6119170 Main Street. At the same time Minakwa Deforest Bucklin, Jr. Warden; H.R. Galen Lerum 6/19/70 Robinson , secretary; E.M. Walsh, Country Club had similar financial pro­ treasurer. About 70 members were blems. Since many were members of present for the dedication. both organizations, the two merged and maintained Elks' facilities at the About 1915 the roof burned, but Country Club. Additional facilities were through an agreement between Wallace added in 1973 to the former Minakwa and thc Masons, Wallace replaced the Club to provide a lodge room, a sauna, a roof and bought the third floor from the golf pro shop, and storage and locker lodge. The Masons then rented the rooms. The kitchen was enlarged, and third floor from 1915 until September, new carpeting and air conditioning in­ 1978. On July 1, 1978, the group bought stalIcd. what has recently been known as the First Federal Savings and Loan building In 1969 the Elks Home was sold to the at 112 West Robert Street and moved in Upper Deck. and the Crookston Lodge September. 1978. An open house and became the first Elks in Minnesota to be reception were held November 19, 1978, proprietors of a golf course. with several Grand Lodge officers in at­ In its 83-year history. 3.305 persons tendance. have been members of the lodge. The Crookston Masonic Lodge has had present membership is 800. with 230 several outstanding Masons in its mem­ golkrs using the nine-hole course. The bership, among them Mr. Morris, who ne\\ two-court racquetball facility, was Master of his lodge from 1895 to opened in 1977. is limited to 120 mem­ 1904 and again in 1908 and 1909. In bers and fa milies. Over-SO-year mem­ 1906 he was elected Grand Master of bers number 24. with one having attain­ the State of Minnesota. In 1918 he was cd 69 years membership. Gale Lerum Grand Commander of the Grand Com­ mandery of Minnesota, and in 1926 was W.O. (Bill) Reynolds. head of the Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch lodge. is the 74th Exalted Ruler.

99 Sons of Norwa y Women's Club At the conventions during the twen­ ties and thirties, 9th DistrIct Women's and Daughters The Woman's Club of Crookston was Clubs had exciting choral contests. Although the Daughters of Norway, organized in 1898, the oldest stud� club Woman's Club participated wholeheart­ ID Morgensole Lodge No. 68, has been or· in Crookston and one ofthe oldest the edly. As the closing feature of the state. May, 1974, on the Club's 75th ganized here since Sept. 27, 1927, it was Winter Shows week WOlden's meetings anniversary, three members were e by order of the Supreme Lodge that the in 1935, several one-act plays w re specially honored: Ann Laughlin, a Sons and Daughters of Norway merged presented: a well-written satire by Mrs. member for 46 years, Myrtle Wilson for as one organization. On May 7, 19�1, H.H. Hodgson; "Kitchen Philosophy" 37 years, and Jane Houske for 35 years. this group henceforth was to be known by Mrs. Myrtle Wilson; and a. peace Mrs. Wilson is still an active member. as Morgensole 458, Son!> of Nor­ pageant by Mrs. Bert Levins. The latter way. Ellen Walters was president at two won prize winning awards in Feder­ At the golden jubilee party of that time. ation competition. All three were mem­ Woman's Club Mrs. H.L. Carpenter bers of Woman's Club at one time. Mrs. presented medals of honor to Mrs. H.L. First president 0f the Daug ters of Henrietta Holte, long time member, � . Marsh representing her mother, Mrs. Norway in 1927 was Mrs. SophIe SVIS­ wrote some very fine Indian pageants. A.A. Miller, as a charter member, to dal, assisted by Mrs. Lillie Waage, vice She was district chairman of Indian wel­ Mrs. Bert Levins for the longest mem­ president; and Mrs. Mina Saugstad, fare and owned an extensive collection bership, and to Mrs. I.W. Kinder for secretary. of Indian paraphernalia. her outstanding leadership. Its national founders stressed mutual The club has had the honor of produc­ Ten years ago Daisy Schmidt and assistance to its members, to perpetu­ ing three district presidents, Mrs. I. W. Ruth Lyddon presented a history of ate their connection with the home land, Kinder, Mrs. Arnold Johnson, and Mrs. Woman's Club. One interesting quota­ its tradition and culture, and to help Norman Arneson. Mrs. Arneson has tion: "In the early days most of the Norwegian immigrants become adjust­ also served as state secretary. meetings were in the home, but minutes ed to life and customs of the new land. of 1906 read, "Woman's Gub met on The date was Jan. 16, 1895. The success of Woman's Club can be the grand staircase in the spacious cor­ attributed to the love of study that has ridor of the magnificent Carnegie Li· On Jan. 3, 1966, Omar Bain was in­ been its principle purpose all though the bary.'" . . years. The club has always had a defin­ stalled as the first man to be president very actIve ID com· The club has been ite search for self enrichment in educa­ of the local lodge, together with Clifford munity affairs, helping to sta� the Boy tional, cultural , and spiritual spheres. Brevik, vice president; Mrs. Esther Scouts organization, sponsorlDg Camp Sorum, financial secretary; and Mrs. Fire groups, petitioning the park board Joe Toutges, secretary. Meetings were for supervision of children's play­ in Knights of Columbus Hall. In 1969 grounds, and similar civic projern. In meetings were moved to the Eagles 1911, the club sponsored a lecture by DEGREE OF HONOR Hall, where they have continued the Miss Maria Sanford. During World War CROOKSTON LODGE NO. 101 firstMonday of each month. I there was an Americanization com­ mittee to work with foreigners. In 1924, The following information is Editor's Footnote - In a 1906 history members were urged to vote. In 1927, taken from a 1906 record of or­ of organizations here the Sons of Nor­ Woman's Club, with two other clubs, ganizations in Crookston. Officers way listed the following officers: P.J. was hostess to the State Federation of listed were: Miss Augusta Zie· Tronrud, president; Christian Arne­ Women's Clubs. beck, C. of H.; Mrs. Gustave Johnson, C. of C.; Miss Amelia berg, vice president; P. Boukind, .finan­ cial secretary; A.O. Busterud, Judge; Page, financier; Mrs. Maud Bol­ A.M. Sivertson, treasurer; and T. ton. L. of H.; Mrs. Minnie Collin, Randers, secretary. Meetings were held receiver; and Mrs. Bertha Odett, at Woodmen Hall twice monthly. recorder. Royal ned niver Valley Nei�hbors of America Royal Neighbor Camp 798 was chart­ ered at Crookston on November 16, 1897, with 21 members, including nine Dental Suilding beneficial and 12 social members. The Camp was named "Golden Rod" at the time of charter. A Junior Camp was organizedher� on February 18, 1922, with 30 members. Lillian Vonderbeck was recorder, and Lucinda Canute the first Junior Direc­ 310 South Sroadway tor. With Neighbor M. Miller as the first oracle in 1897, charter members included Emma Vine, Emma Saake, Anna Arris, Hilda Rood, Clara Leicke, Anna Shansen, Ida Misner, Katherine Theurer, MrS. Filiatrault, M.A. Brat­ rud, Harry Faulk, O.C. Rood, C. Maxner, Dr. A. Just, O. Mercil, F. Founded lSSS Arris, M.E. Malone, W.A. Bray, W.H. Verity and E. Desmarais.

100 Current Events Club Crookston Chapter 137 O rder of Eastern Sta r The Current Events Club of Crook­ ston was organized on October 2, 1899, The Grand Chapter of the Minnesota and became affiliated with the general Order of Eastern Star will be 101 years Federation of Women's Clubs in 1905. old in May of this year, 1979. The local chapter marks its 80th.

Many of its early members had The Order of Eastern Star is the larg­ known a cultured life-style in the East, est fraternal organization in the world from which they came, and the club to which both men and women may be­ provided a means for personal develop­ long. Though not a part of the Masonic ment and for social, cultural and civic fraternity, it is related by the closest activities in this frontier town. For many family ties. Eligibility for membership years, membership was limited to 30 requires Masonic affiliation, a minimum active members and 30 inactive mem­ age of 18, and a belief in a supreme bers. plus a waiting list. Annual dues being. were $1 to provide magazines and study materials for the members. In 1928 Sam Erickson had the honor of The first meeting place was in the being elected Masonic Grand Master of Masonic Hall above the Fournet Block, Over the years, city beautification Minnesota. and later in the Masonic Hall in the projects and clean-up drives were spon­ Eagle Drug building until 1978. First Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron sored, the club actively promoted the fairfa x .c\ndover Club park system. were Molly Faulk Rosenthal and John Cromb, 1899-1900. Sister Love Braley March 22, 1911, marked the birth of was the first Crookston woman to be In 1907, the club sponsored a $25,000 the Fairfax Andover Gub, a Federated elected Worthy Grand Matron of the week-long art exhibit in Crookston, Women's Club of rural Crookston. ·At Grand Chapter of Minnesota, an office open to the public, and when the the meeting, Mrs. George Schuck was she held in 1910 and 1911. This remark­ Carnegie Library was opened, the elected president and Miss Irene Slyter able woman had a great love for the Current Events Club donated $550 to its became secretary. The name is a com­ order and served with distinction until book fund. They provided a piano and bination of the two townships in which she and her husband moved to Califor­ other furnishings for the library's lower the original members lived. The club nia. There she was honored on her motto is "Love Thy Neighbor as Thy­ auditorium and this became the club's l00th birthday, July 29, 1950. She lived self. " meeting place for almost 50 years. to be 102. Other Grand officers included Tom Morris, Grand Sentinel in 1927 and The club's history shows that meet­ Maurita Mink, Grand Warden in 1937. In 1919, the Current Events Club ings were held in the homes and that in fo stered the organization of the Busi­ winter the husbands attended as honor­ ness and Professional Club in Crook­ ary members. The Knigh ts of ston, and in 1926, when the State Con­ vention of the Federated Women's Columhus Crookston ' From its very beginning the club has Clubs was held in Crookston, the Cur­ been actively involved in community Counc il Number 1216 rent Events Club hosted this important service. In 1920, its history notes the event in cooperation with other area club successfully petitioned the County Crookston Council 121b of the clubs. Commissioners for a rural school nurse, Knights of Columbus has been organ­ and thereafter sponsored children's ized for 72 years. The oldest livin£ As a unit, and as individuals, mem­ health clinics annual1y. The Fairfax member is Medard Mercil, born 1885. bers have contributed their time, Andover club was instrumental in the Today, a spry 94-year young, Med join­ energy and money assisting other ser­ organization of the Women's Camp at ed in 1909. vice organizations as wel1 as the Red the Northwest School of Agriculture. Cross, Boy Scouts, Campfire Girls, Sal­ They sponsored seven 4-H clubs, which The names of 45 members are listed vation Army, Sunnyrest Sanatorium, they continued to support, have been on the Council's charter, which was re­ and the schools. active in the Civic Music League, parti­ ceived at a banquet in honor of the occa­ cipated in the expansion of the school sion on April 21, 1907. Thdaythe mem­ district, and have been actively involved bership stands at 256. Large social functions were a regular in city of Crookston celebrations and feature of the Club for many years. events. Many hours of volunteer service First officers included Grand Knight, Today's monthly meetings combine in­ and various other supports have been J .E. O'Brien; Deputy Grand Knight, teresting studies on a wide variety of donated to Winter Shows activities and J.M. Schweizer; Chancellor, N.B. current events, such as solar and atomic to the two hospitals, the old Bethesda Moran; Lecture, Thomas J. Malone; energy, with a continuing interest and and the new Riverview. Recorder, Fred J. Homeyer; Financial involvement in civic improvement pro­ Secretary, J.J. Flynn; Treaiurer, F.R. jects. Current membership stands at 14, Hamel; Advocate, L.E. Gossman; War­ some of whom are second-generation den, James Powers; Inside Guard, This year (1979) the club has the members, including Mrs. William Daniel Hughes; Outside Guard, J .R. great honor of having a member "Mrs. Hoerner, who is a daughter of Mrs. Morin; and Trustees, John R. McKin­ Randal1 (Thelma) Barnes" chosen as Walter Morgan (Irene Slyter), the non, Wm. Anglim and R.J. Montague. Minnesota Mother of the Year. Gub club's first secretary. Mrs. Willard president Mrs. Vickie Irwin and Mrs. Heydt is current president. Mrs. Ralph Louis LaBonte, Leroy Cournia, John Mathilda Moe were also ' honored as Finkenbinder is a granddaughter of Beaudry, and Philip Miller of Council Merit Mothers of Minnesota. Mrs. R.E. Smith, on the charterro ll. 1216 have served as State officers. 101 1\ mrriea n Legion

Pvt. Nels T. Wold, a World War I hero from Winger. who received the Congressional Medal of Honor post­ humously here in July. 1919, was the inspiration for the name of Crookston's American Legion Post No. 20.

At the age of 23, Pvt. Wold was killed Sept. 26, 1918, at Cheppy. France. He was cited for his gallantry in aiding the advance of his company in capturing sevcral machine gun nests and eleven prisoners single-handed and later for saving the life of it comrade from a Gcrman officer, all beyond the call of The 1930 depression days didn't stop the American Legion and Auxiliary from or­ duty. He is buried at Winger, and each ganizing a Women's Drum and Bugle Corps, which went on to win many state cham­ year on Nov. 11 and Veterans Day, pionships as w'ell as bring national acclaim to Crookston at several National and members from here hold memorial ser­ Canadian conventions. viccs at his gravesite.

Crookston 's American Legion was or­ ganized hcre March 13. 1919, with R.A. Rossbcrg as charter commander. P.J. Eidc, a Crookston native and longtime proprietor of a confectionery store here on Robert St., was the second com­ mander.

Crookston Lcgion and Auxiliary cn­ tertaincd the Minncsota State convcn­ tion hcrc in 1930 whcn Wm. C. Sump­ mann was commander. Many of the state groups brought with them several drum and bugle corps to advertise their communities. So impressed were the hosts that thcy dccided with the women to fo rm and sponsor in 1931 Crookston's Drum and Bugle Corps, which went on to win many state and national honors in The VFW Post men's emergency life-saving equipment, used during World War II, is the 1930's. displayed by: (bottom row, I to r) (unidentified), Lee Theroux, and Ed Chochrane. Standing - Christian Fischer, (unidentified) . During th c dcprcssion era of the late 1920's and the 1930's, to help raise fu nd for the 1930 state convention and to pur­ chaw the present building at 107 W. 2nd St., the post sponsored many an­ jfounb eb 1976 nual three-day celebrations in the for­ mer armory on North Broadway. These events featured orchestras and dancing, bingo, games of chance , and othcr types ' of carnival entertainment, plus rct'resh­ �arbrp � 1Marhtt ment stands.

Like most organizations the group spon�ors and supports many community and patriotic services. including repre­

sentatives to Boys ' State and school patrol members to Legionville (22 this year). Members decorate service per­ sons' graves in the area each Memorial 61 6 Wooblanb Day. This year, 1979, on the 60th anniver­ sary Po st 20 was honored at a birthday party, March 14, sponsored by th e aux­ iliary m e mbers . A special invited guest was Olander Wold of Crookston, a brother of Nels T. Wold.

102 Ma tron' s Cl ub cated ones have been honored for SO of children, despite blizzards, cold, and years as "Matrons": Mrs. C.M. Lohn, a deep snow. Husbands were entertained On December 7, 1901, a number of charter member; Mrs. Otto Eickhof, at banquets, dinner dances, and fun Crookston brides who were guests at an and Mrs. A.R. McKinnon. fests. In 1922 an elaborate dinner party afternoon party at the home of Mrs. was given by the husbands. Depression Alden Braley, decided to form a club In the early days of the club the meet­ days saw the club dispensing with social and name it Matrons' Club. The original ings were very informal, with members activities and fancy lunches, the money number of 12 in 1908 was increased to discussing home problems and cooking. used instead for needy children. From 24, which is the present membership. When the babies arrived, they too, at­ that time on the minutes never again Only mothers are eligible. tended. Repeatedly the early minutes mention entertainment of husbands. mentioned there was a good attendance Because the club motto is the "Betterment of the Home", the club has always realized the conditions sur­ rounding the home are of utmost im­ portance. Members have taken an ac­ tive interest in civic affairs. In 1908 they petitioned the school board fo r music instruction in the schools. They have supported the public library in the form of book donations and volunteer labor and in 1912 sponsored an Art and Craft Exhibit.

Other early projects included support of a legislative bill for better sanitation, cooperation with the city council in ob­ taining a police matron,a petition for hot lunches in the schools, and planting of shrubs at the swimming pool. During two world wars the group aided the Red Cross as well as participated in other volunteer work. An early picture (probably the '20's) of theMatr on's Club. In the top row are Mmes. During its first 75 active years, this T.W. Thorson, Arnold Gloor, A.R. McKinnon, A.A. Dowen, Glenn Harding; middle club has entered on its membership row: Mmes. J.J. Laughlin, Charles Lohn, Henry Welte; bottom row: Mmes. J.F. rolls only 185 members. Three dedi- Norman, Otto Eickhof, Ralph Lycan, C.M. Monroe, and H.H. Hodgson.

jfounbeb 1976

�ri nt �boppe, line.

112 �outb 1Main

From left to right: Mary Beth Sargeant, Mark Flsketjon, Heidi Lieder, AI Torgerson and VIrJean Olson.

103 Eagle& Aerie 873 Crookston Aerie 873 of the Fraternal Because of lack of space, only the oldest organizations have had special 1948 - Disabled American Veterans Order of Eagles was instituted on Octo­ Auxiliary - Olive Kleven - Amanda ber 20, 1904, and received a charter write-ups. AU others who submitted In­ formation are listed below. The first and Mann from the grand lodge dated February 7, 1948 - Crookston Conservation Gub 1905. There were 52 charter members. the 1979 presiding officers are named ln that order. (formerly Sportsm�n's Club) 1951 - Eagles Auxiliary - Ellen Aerie 873 met in various upstairs lo­ 1921 - Crookston Business & Profes­ Pfiefer - Dorothy Gilbertson cations around the downtown area until sional Women's Club - Ida Twedten - 1952 - American Ass'n of University property on the corner of Broadway and Jane Brueske Women - Helen Oppegaard - Lyn- Robert was obtained. Plans were drawn 1922 - Crookston Rotary Club - Hug nette Mullins up for a building, and construction was Torrance - Don Sargeant 1953 - Mathein Study Gub - Ann started in about 1925. The firstfloor was 1922 - Polk County Historical Society Atkins - Francine Olson used by two retail shops and the Eagles -Henrietta Holte - Bruno Jurchen 1958 - Mrs. Jacees (now Crookston lodge home was on the second and third 1925 - Daughters of American Revo­ Jaycee Women) - Pat Millard floors. lution - Lou Morlan 1959 - Crookston Squarenaders - 1930 - Chapter AX of PEO - Mar­ Don Ferrie - David Muir The lodge eventually required more jorie Dillenburg 1961 - Crookston Pioneer Days As­ room to take care of a growing member­ 1930 - Crookston Civic Music lea­ sociation - Don Myrold - Ruth Ross ship and so property to the south of the gue - Mrs. CliffZaffke 1961 - Polk County Auxliary to WWI original structure was purchased and a 1936 - Veterans of Foreign War Post Barracks - Mabel Fischer - Hazel two-story addition was built about 1941. #1902 - William Eickhof - Nick Boer- Winger ger, Jr. 1963 - Crookston Garden Gub (Re­ Membership in Aerie 873 has climbed 1936 - Veterans of Foreign Wars activated) - Ethel Grove to a present day total of 1350. Auxiliary - Esther Eickhof - Pauline 1966 - UMC Faculty Women - Don­ Theroux 4-H Clubs na Ramberg 1936 - Ken Study Club - Fran 1970 - Riverview Hospital Auxiliary Early history of 4-H clubs reveals the Kiewel (Re-organized) - Sharon Wal1 - Mar­ year 1914 as the start of the groups in 1938 - Crookston Lions Club - Dale ion Heydt this arca, first known as Boys' and Amundson 1975 - Dawn to Dusk Lions club - Girls' Club work. Conducted were 25- 1943 - Crookston Jaycees - Vernon Truman Tilleraas - Bill Holman cgg-laying contests, cow testing, and Weaver - Don Cavalier 1976 - Valley Ridge Chapter of Na­ corn clubs. 1947 - Agassiz Study Club - Mary tional Sectetaries Assn. (International) Ann Odland In 1968 the Polk County Federation 1976 - Crookston Community Thea­ 1948 - Crookston Toastmasters - was organized with a new 4-H leader­ tre - Dean Brown Bob Stone ship concept under county project chair­ mcn.

jfounbrb 1968

l!\iamon bs

324 J!ortlJ JJ111i 11

1!lon

104 Pioneer D ays Ass ociation

The Crookston Pioneer Days Associa­ tion was organized in 1961 to promote the historical hertiage of Crookston and the area, with a parade and other events promoted every year by the association. The association has also undertaken the fireworks display each year during the celebration with the Crookston Fire Department in charge of the colorful spectacle.

The association was organized with Don Myrold serving as first president. Other presidents of the organization in­ cluded: Richard Reitmeier (1962), Gordoll Mjoen (1963), Harry Nohre (1964), William Crane (1965), Marie Nelson (1966), E.R. (Butch) Melbye (1967), William Barrus (1968), Kenneth Greenhalgh (1969), Ruth Ross (1970), Gary Johnson (1971), Winnie Laurent (1972), Cathy Wright (1973), Jei'ry Amiot (1974), Dave Bendickson (1975), Orville Hawes (1976), Doug Oman (1977), Tillie Gebhardt (1978), and Ruth Ross (1979).

Several service groups have held their convention in the city during A Crookston woman, Love Braley, was elected Worthy Grand Matron of the Grand Pioneer Days to draw more people to Chapter of Minnesota, an office she held in 1910 and 1911. This picture was taken in the celebration. Calif(lrniaon her 100th birthday, July 29, 1950. She lived to be 102.

The Pioneer Days Association is a vol­ unteer organization with the members Polk County putting in many long hours to make each celebration better than the last. The organization is in charge of Crook­ Historical Society ston's Centennial celebration. The foresight of early pioneers in the for a time at the Winter Shows building, area in preserving relics, equipment until the former McKinley School in and newspapers among them, telling of Jerome's Addition became available. their lives more than 100 years ago, made it possible for the establishment There, through the help of organiza­ of the Polk County Historical Society tions and many volunteers, the rooms and Museum in Crookston. were redecorated and remodeled and used to display the historical relics. It According to Bruno Jurchen, 1979 was then known as the Holte Museum. president of the Society and curator of But since no heating was available it the Museum, it was about in 1922 that had limited use. In 1974 the old school­ several interested citizens were given house was declared unsafe for public the use of a small room in the basement use and once again the Historical of Polk County Courthouse for the un­ Society began its search for a new official beginning of the Pioneer home. Museum. The new Pioneer Museum was estab­ Instrumental in preserving such early lished along Highway 2, east of Crook­ da�' artifacts, among other area resi­ ston, becoming a finelocation for the 76 dents, was Mrs. Henrietta Holte, wife x 120 foot one story building to provide of Dr. H,H. Holte, long a collector of a permanent home for many historic Indian history and displays together displays. with other historical items. This is the house (modern view) that Through the countless efforts'of many Edmund M. Walsh built. He was one of When the courthouse was to be de­ volunteers, the Polk County Historical the early Crookston's prominent citi­ molished to make room for the present Society hopes the Museum will hel{: zens. The residence is on the Mt. St. structure, museum items were boxed those in the future -- learn from the Benedict Academy campus. and stored. Later they were displayed past. 105 These well-groomed ladies were members of the Current Events Club in the 1920·s.

jfounbeb 1910 l\eb l\iber lJaI le!, Winte r �bowg �igbb.1ap 2 anb 75 J}ortb

106 jfounb eb 1909

POWE R COMPANY

321 l\obert

1892 Water Plant

1905 . Crookston's source of power was the Otter Tail plant at the old dam in Crookston.

(Electric Service was first introduced in Crookston in 1882 by the Crookston Telephone. Telephone L Exchange and Electric Light Company)

107 Take Me Out to th e Bal l Gam e !

Sports? We love 'em! Yes, from Competition in girls' athletics also got of 15 wins and 2 losses. This team en­ the days of the dusty field to those an early start, with their first basketball tered the tenth annual Minnesota State of the green sod or the plush gym­ team performing satisfactorily in 1905. tournament held at Carleton College in nasium, this town has always had a The next year tennis was added to their Northfield. In' the quarter final of this passion for sports, whether you program. In 1933 the girls organized tourney Red Wing defeated this strong "spectated " or took part. Over the Central's first G.A.A. to stimulate in­ Crookston team in a close battle and years the favorites have been foot­ terest in good health -and clean sports then went on to win the state title. ball, baseball, hockey, tennis, and to improve participation. Members of this first state tournament wrestling, horses, skating ...you team were Captain Truman Daniels, name it._.somebody loves it. Com­ In the early twenties the Crookston Martin Gronvold, Willis Carlisle, munity and scholastic sports came Central basketball team, for the first Orville Lindell, Ray Cochrane, Tony early to this town, as you will ob­ time, made it to the state tournament Johnson, Alton McRae, and Harlan serve by the historical accounts . two years in a row under Coach M.O. Nelson. Jackson. In 1922 the team had a record The next year Coach Jackson's bas­ ketball squad won 16 out of 17 games, losing out to Blue Earth in the quarter A t It letics a t Crookston finals at the state, held at the Kenwood Armory in Minne\lpolis. He also had a C�ntral 1902-1944 district winner in 1925 and 1929. After the Minnesota high schools Athletics and physical training re­ were reorganized in 1933, Crookston ceived an early start in the life of Crook­ Central won its first district 31 basket­ ston Central students. Football and ball title in 1944. This team set a record basketball teams were organized in of winning seventeen straight basket­ 1902 under Coach Keinholtz. The 1902 ballgames. Another honor during the team had the distinction of keeping previous fall was Central winning the their goal line frombeing crossed. N.A. conference football championship under Thorson, who later became Polk County the same coach, defeating Thief River school superintendent, coached the Falls in the final game of the season Central football team 1905 to 1910. 13-7 for the title. Under Coach Smith in 1912 the Crook­ ston team won the Northwestern Minnesota football championship. Their 1914 and 1920 teams were runners-up for this title. During the twenties Cen­ tral had average success in football. In 1933, under Coach Lloyd Ostrander, they won the championship with a 4-2 Not sure what the Central Hi�h basket­ record. Ten years later they again won ball team's record was in 1904 , but at the football' conference, defeating Thief least they looked determined! River Falls, 13-7, in the final game for the championship under the guidance of Coach Herschel H. Lysaker.

Track was started at Central in 1910, and baseball, under Coach Smith, in 1912. Central had its first undefeated baseball team in 1933, under Coach Lloyd Ostrander. 1912 marks the year when Central's first lettermen's club was organized.

In 1921 a 26-mile relay race between Grand Forks and Crookston was initi­ ated, and competition in this run went on for several years. Each runner ran a mile in this relay. ln 1922 "Tubby" Daniels of Crookston set a record by running his mile in 4 minutes and 38 In spite of a losing year (1905), the seconds. Track continued as an impor­ Central High girls' basketball team tant team sport, and by the late thirties found something to smile about. Left to Crookston had gained the reputation of right, back row: Ruth Spendley, Anna being a strong track school. Central won Bjoin, Selma Lindell. Front row (I to r): Northwest Minnesota football champs four straight district track titles starting Grace Erwin, Gertrude Stone, Myrtle of 1911. "Jud�e" Harry Sylvestre is in in 1939 under Coach Lloyd Osborne. and Nelia Collins. the front row at left.

108 Athletics at Crookston

C en t r a I 1945 -19 79

By 1945 the Minnesota public high schools were aligned into a one-class system for competition. The state was divided into eight geographic regions. Each region then sub-divided into four districts. Crookston Central was a member of District 31 with other area schools. This alignment provided basis for competition until 1976. In 1955 Central joined Bemidji, Thief River Falls, and East Grand Forks in forming the Northwest Conference. The second Central High team to go to a state tournament in 1923 were: Top row, I to r: Originally it was organized for football, Harlan Nelson, Willis Carlisle, Coach Myron O. Jackson, A. "Derby" McCrae, Truman but track, golf, baseball, basketball, Daniels, Bottom row: Lawrence Anderson, Carl Nelson, Ray Cochrane, and Orville hockey, tennis and wrestling were add­ Lindell. ed as conference sports in the first ten years of the conference's existence. Hockey and wrestling since have been Central's 1973 football team won and 1923. Beginning in 1945 eight dif­ dropped from the conference. eight games with one loss - scoring 183 ferent teams have won district champ­ In 1959 Roseau joined to make the points while holding its opponents to a ionships - in 1946, '47; 1955, '56, '58, Northwest Conference a five-team con­ measly 29 points in nine games. The '73 '59; and 1972, '73. Of these district ference. Roseau dropped out in 1971, team was coached by L.E. Drechsel. champions the teams of 1946, 1947, and Breckenridge and Fergus Falls 1956, adn 1972 lost in the region were admitted officiallyin all sports ex­ CROSS COUNTRY. Cross Country championship game, much to the dis­ cept football the fall of 1972. Previous began in 1949, with meets scheduled appointment of the players, coaches, contract commitments postponed the with the Northwest School of Agricul­ and fans. ncw sc.hools· competing in football until ture. Since 1949 a total of twenty-four the 1973 season . By 1975 Breckenridge runners have represented Crookston in Henry "Hank" Hulst scored 47 withdrew from the conference leaving a the state. Five of the twenty-four were points in the 'Red Lake Falls game in five-teamleague again. repeaters, qualifying two consecutive 1954. The 1956 team had a 19 win and In 1976 the Minnesota State High years. Todd Peterson competed in three four loss record. AI Droen-coaehed School League adopted a two-class plan state cross country meets, as a sopho­ teams captured four district champion­ as recommended by a committee select­ more in 1969. returning in 1970 and ships. ed by the parent organization. The plan 1971. Murray Warren in 19 years as wcnt into operation by placing the top cross country coach has taken fifteen WRESTLING. Wrestling was intro­ 128 schools according to enrollment runners to the state. duced in�o the program _ at Central in figures into a "AA" class and the re­ 1960. District championships were won maining schools into the " A" class. By BOYS' BASKETBALL. Crookston in 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1975 under the enrollment Central was c1assitied into Central participated in the Minnesota coaching of Richard Kramchuck. th e "AA" group. Central fo und itself State Basketball Tournaments in 1922 ill a Ill'\\ Region 8AA encompassing a largergl' ographic area.

BOYS ATHLETICS AT CENTRAL HIGH

FOOTBALL. Since Northwest Confer­ ence's inception. Crookston Central has won football championships in 1957. '58 and '61 . It has shared the title with Thief Rivcr Falls in 1969; Thief River Falls and Bemidji in 1972; and Fergus Falls in 1973 . In the carly to mid tifties - a North - South All Star Football game was in­ augurated on a state level. Pepper Lysaker. Bill Taylor. and John Lysaker represented Central in games. for all three had made the all state team. The 1957 football team' s notable con­ tribution to the annals of Central's his­ tor�' has been its unbeaten season record. Under Coach DeWayne District Basketball Champs in 1929 who placed third in the regionals were (I to r) front Sundby's leadership. the 1957 team ro\\': Frank Hoyt. Ray Simpson, Bob Thorp. Homer Stephens, and Buzzer Hagen; back amassed a total of 235 points to the op­ row: Principal CM. Chapman. Eddie McWaters, Clarence Anderson, Edwin Romuld. positions' 53 in eight victories. and Coach Sherm Miller. 109 Of the numerous wrestlers qualifying for the region wrestling tournament a total of eleven have represented Central at the state. Murray Tiedeman in 1971- 72 was the only wrestler making the trip to state more than once. Rod Hanson in 1973 had the best season record with 25 wins against 2 losses.

HOCKEY. CrooKston has shown con­ siderable hockey interest since the con­ struction of the city indoor arena built in the thirties. In the 1948-49 school year, a club team was formed at Central to play a seven-game schedule. The team was not affiliated with the Minne­ sota State High School League. The fol­ lowing school year, 1949-50, Central District Basketball Champs in 1944, coached by Hersh Lysaker (left) were (l to r) Dick under the affiliationof the League, com­ Sprague, Bill Reynolds, Bob Sellberg, Bob Lewin, Fred Harris, Howard Casmey, Don peted in Region 8 for the first time. At Youngquist, Toddy Johnson, and David Wilson. the end of 1951 season the Board of Education made a decision to discon­ TRACK. The years from 1945 to 1978 rounded out the scoring by placing third tinuc the program at the high school produced several outstanding track in both the discus and shot put. Coach levcl. teams at Central. The 1957 team claim­ AI Droen and his ten-man state cham­ ed both district and region ch.ampion­ pionship team proudly carried the ships. Meier Snell coached the 1957 trophy back to Crookston. Thc sport was re-instated in 1960. squad. Pepper Lysaker qualifiedin four Ccntral played a "B" schedule of events at the state track meet -- 100 BOYS' TENNIS. The tennis program games primarily with underclassmen. yard dash, high hurdles, low hurdles, at Central has been the number one The 1961 team was the only team one and broad jump. sport in producing college players. Ten gamc away from entering the state Central grads have played in the college tournament competition. The '61 Pi­ The 1959 team won regional honors. ranks since the mid-fifties. District rates dcfeated the Region 8 top-rated Bill Taylor captured a state champion­ championships were won in 1956, '57, tcam, Warroad, in the first round; then ship in the high jump in 1959. The 1974 '58, '62 and '73. Region championships thcy suffered a defeat from Hallock in Pirate track team won the state Class A gained in 1962 and 1973. sudden-death overtime, blocking their championship scoring 40 points. Don path to state. The team was coached by Moore placed first in the 100-yard dash Roger Parkin participated in the state Bob Strand. The best overall season and the 220-yard dash. Nate Hanson tournament three years -- 1962, '63 won - lost record was the 1976 team won the 880-yard run. The mile relay and '64. Bob Miller in three state tour­ with 14 wins, 5 losses, and 1 tie. The team of Robert Ranum, Mike Ranum, neys. 1959 and '60 with Dale Johnson­ tcam's coach was Mike Lundby. Hanson, and Jon Burkhardt garnered a doubles; 1961 in singles. The 1962 team lirst place - as did the half-mile relay coached by Stan Osborne was led by BASEBALL. Baseball began as a team of Moore, Jeff Radi, Jeff Potter, Parkin and Berger Anderson in their school-sponsored sport in the summer and Burkhardt. Jon Burkhardt placed quest to the district and region titles. of 1947. In 32 years of baseball competi­ 2nd in the 220-yard dash. Len Devos tion, district championships were gain­ ed in 1958, 1960, 1970, 1971. 1972, 1973 and 1975. Three Central teams partici­ patcd in the state baseball tournament­ in 1947, 1960, and 1975. jfounb eb 1967

The 1960 Pirates defeated North St. Paul, 3 to 0, in the first game in state. Afterlosses to Washburn and Hutchin­ 1Srost ({f]eb ro let , 11 n c . son, thc team finished in 4th place. lin­ ton Lehrer coached the 1960 team.

The 1975 team lost to Bloomington Kennedy, the eventual state champion, 1GOO in the first game. The Pirates bounced back to edge out Northfield, 2 to 1 in the first round of the consolation series. In 1tnibrr�i tp the consolation championship the team lost to Montevideo to finishin 6th place. �brnue Jim Simon's coaching record includes the 1979 state entry and four district championships. Jim Lindell played on Hilmer Brost ADen Brost the teams winning district titles in '70, '71, '72, and '73.

110 Founded lS4B

Central High's 1974 State Class A track champions. (front row I to r): Don Moore, Nate Hanson, JeffRhode , Len Devos, Jon Burkhardt. Back row: Ass't coach Les Drechsel, Mike Ranum, Bob Ranum, Robin Larson, Tom Longtin, Jeff Potter, Coach Al Droen, Yates Oil and Ass't Coach Murray Warren.

Coach Ed Nelson's 1972 team had a schedule with area schools was ar­ 14 wins, 2 losses dual meet record; won ranged for yolleyball, basketball, soft­ the Northwest Conference champion­ ball, and track. The 1971-72 school year ship and the regional title. Brent two girls team had undefeated sea­ Reichert began playing varsity tennis as sons. The volleyball team won nine a seventh grader in 1970. By his senior games, while the basketball team year, 1975 , Reichert had compiled 103 gained their perfect record after a six­ wins against 27 losses in all competi­ game schedule. The program received tion. He competed in four state tourna­ its greatest impetus under the direction ments by winning regional champion­ of Marge Milne Nestor at this period. 42S Korth ships his freshmen to his senior year. By the 1974 season, volleyball, bas­ BOYS' GOLF. Since 1945 numerous ketball, track, golf, and tennis teams Broadway golfers have represented Crookston competed on an interscholastic level. It Central in the state meet. Don Steener­ was the 1975 season that girls' athletics , son ( 45, '47); Glenn Hansen ('SO, '52); at Central came of age. The 1975 volley­ , Paul Reiergord ( 55, '56); Keith Sanders ball team, coached by Bette Jacobson, , , ( 63 , '64); Greg Klein ( 64, '66); Gregg defeated Bagley in the regionals to ad­ , Anderson· ( 66, '67); John Kalin ('70, vance to state competition. Losing to '71) each represented Central two years Virginia in the first game at state, the at state. Three-year state competitors Pirates defeated Redwood Falls and were George Boyer in 1955, '56, '57; Rochester Mayo for the consolation and Len Gumlia in 1971, '72, and '73. championship. The same year Central's firsttennis team advanced three players District championships were won 12 to state. The 1975 girls basketball team different years beginning in 1945. with Lynn Dorn at the helm also headed Regional championships were gained in for the state tourney after compiling a 1946, 1949 and 1955. In their respective 13-1 season record. The team Won the seven-year coaching stints - Al Droen first-round game by defeating Duluth sent nine golfers to state and Ron Denfeld, but they lost in the semis to Thompson eight state competitors. Holy Angels, 36 to 38.

GIRLS' ATHLETICS AT CENTRAL In 1977 Meg Schnabel and T.e. Sulli­ HIGH. Until 1969 school-sponsored van qualified for the state tennis tour­ athletic programs for girls in Minnesota nament in doubles play. Crookston de­ had been limited, if not non-existent. In feated Virginia in the first round. March, 1969, the Representative As­ Rochester Lourdes, the runner-up in sembly of the Minnesota State High state, then ousted the girls from state School League voted to add girls' athle­ competition 7-5; 7-5. Coach Mary Hin­ tics to the existing program for boys. kley guided the 1977 team.

Prior to the 1970' s sport activities for The 1978 girls' basketball team Central girls were either on a recrea­ gathered an overall season record of 16- tional or intramural basis. The pro­ 6, defeating Bemidji and Thief River grams were administered through the Falls for the sub-region crown. Entering G.R.A. or G.A.A. A great variety of into the Region 8AA tournament, the activities were offered but not on an Pirates also defeated Detroit Lakes, but interscholastic level. just fell short of state competition by Joe Yates losing to St. Cloud Apollo in the Beginning in 1971 an extramural pro­ championship game. Harlen Stahlecker gram was introduced for girls. A limited coached the 1978 team. 111 In 1948-1955 Sergio Gambucci coach­ ed the Blue Wave with one of his best hockey teams (1951-52), winning 12 and losing 2.

During the next quarter of a century, Cathedral won many honors under Bill Sullivan. Eddie Desrosier assisted Bill in the early sixties. Some of the honors won were 1960, placed first in Devil's Lake Invitational; 1965, placed first in the Twin City Cathoik hockey tourney; 1969 placed third in Fargo North Tour­ nament and won the Sportsmanship trophy in the State Catholic tournament held in Duluth. They lost to St. Paul Hill in an overtime game in this tournament, 1947-1948 Cathedral Hockey team. In the front row are Louis Baril, Jim Noah, Dave In 1972 the Blue Wave was top of State Anderson, Charles Camack, Ron Bushey, Jerry Sullivan. In the back, Don Emard, Dave champs. Lariviere, Doc Noah, Tom Sullivan, Dick Anderson, M. Gaber, Morrie Theroux, Ron Stainbrook, Ford Symonds, and Coach Msgr. Victor Cardin. In 1976 Mount St. Benedict joined the Minnesota State high school league and Cathrdral were runners-up in Region 8 in 1977. gion in Thief River Falls started spon­ High School Hockry soring hockey tournaments. In the 40's Some of the hockey stars during this Father William Keefe took on the duties period were Barry Bergan, all-confer­ In 1934 Father Victor Cardin organ­ of coach with such stars as Doc Welter, ence team in 1972, and Phil Brekken, ized high school hockey at the Cathedral Alf Sullivan, and Bud Schraeder. Pat Sullivan and Leonard Przybylski, High School and in 1936 played the first all-conference teams in 1976. real schedule. The team was named the The 1943-44 aggregation, coached by Blue Wave in 1938. Jim Alexander was Don Norman, compiled a record of 11 coach and in December of that year, the wins and 1 loss. John Noah played and Basrba II team began playing Canadian teams. developed skill at Cathedral High school The season ended with 15 wins, 4 during the period. Later John was to Baseball was started at Cathedral losses, and 1 tie. win All-American honors at UND and to High School in 1939 with several coach­ play in the Olympics in Helsinki, Fin­ es · spanning a ten-year period: Phil In the early 1940's the American Le- land, on the U.S. team in 1952. Miller, Larry Martin, Father Palcisko.

1946 Cathedral football has undefeated season! Front row: Mike Conneran, Vern Ogaard, Bill Carter, John Noah, Bud Schraeder, Morrie Theroux, Bud Salem; 2nd row: Coach Father Bill Keefe, Spanky Sullivan, Gene Lunos, Charlie Dowdle, Ray O'Claire, Duane Capistran, and Pete Sullivan, assistant coach; 3rd row: Jerry Noesen, Fus Heldstab, Pat Scully, Larry McNamee, Jim Noah, Rosy Arel; 4th row: Tom Sullivan, Jim O'Claire, Jerry Sullivan, Jim LaBonte, Ron Bushey, Joe McNamee, Jim Desautel, Ron McCrae, Doc Noah.

112 Dr. Robert Baab took over as head In 1955 Bill Sullivan began his career coach in 1968 and has produced several as Cathedral head coach. His 1969 team very presentable teams. In 1970 they was undefeated and won the top of state were District 31 and Region I champs. conference; top State champs in 1971 Crane Plumbing They placed second in the District 31 and in 1973 . In 1974 Vince Repesh re­ tourney in 1975; were Pola Conference placed Bill Sullivan as coach. His team champs in 1976; District runner-up in placed second in top this State Confer­ & Heating, Inc. 1977, and District 31 champs in 1978. ence in 1974 and 1975. Mike Finco coached the Blue Wave gridders this past season. 404 Horth Broadway football

Cathedral started junior football un­ Founded lSBS der Father Victor Cardin in 1932. Their first schedule was played in 1935 against Red Lake Falls, St. James and East Grand Forks. Moun t St. B�nrdict The young years of Mt. St. Benedict In 1937 the Grand Forks Herald made saw the girls playing croquet, softball, mention of Cathedral's team saying the and tennis and going skating and tobog­ right side of the line was from the Old ganing and doing lots of hiking. Exer­ Testament - Isaac, Noah , and Jacob­ cise and athletics have always been an son . important part of every girl's life at MSB. Father William Keefe took over as In 1962, a new school building at coach in 1938 and in 1942 was succeed­ MSB included a beautiful gymnasium. ed by Don Norman with Father Keefe This allowed for many more kinds of assisting. The best team in the 40's activities for the girls. In the fall of played in 1943 with a 6-1 record with 1963, Mrs. Joyce Reynolds, a certified such stars as Bud Salem and John physical education teacher, was hired, Noah. and a full schedule of intramural activi­ ties was begun, including basketball, The Blue Wave's firstundefeated and Do you suppose they showed more en­ volleyball, tumbling, gymnastics, swim- un scored upon season came in 1951. thusiasm at the game? (Continued on Page 114)

jfotmb e b 1968

&mitb, jPlolting anti JIlt .

216 �o utb Jflain

113 Continued from Page 113) The Northwest Sc hool ming, and bowling. The Girls' Recrea­ tional Association activities included Athletic Pr ogra m CrooKston picnics, parties, and dances as wel1 as The Northwest School of Agriculture the competitive sports. For a few years, in its seventy years of existence had a playdays were held with several area strong, wel1-rounded program in physi­ Grain Company schools participating. This was the pre­ cal education and athletics. It was al­ lude to the ful1 participation of girls in ways the feeling of the administration in interscholastic competition in Minne­ charge that by its very nature, physical sota, which was al10wed after19 74. education and athletics' chief contribu­ tion to the education of an individual is 20S We st Itobert An enthusiastic but inexperienced in the area of the physical. Their defini­ group of girls began practicin� vol1ey­ tion of physical fitness meant the ability bal1 in the fal1 of 1974 under an Inexper­ to carry one's work load with strength, 1953 ienced coach, Mrs. Reynolds. The var­ Founded to participate in recreation with ea�e sity had a 3-win, 6-loss season, with the and enjoyment, and to have a reservOIr B squad doing better at 5-5. Things be­ of endurance to meet al1 the emer­ gan to look up the next year and by the gencies of life. It was their feeling that third year of competition, Diane Char­ in any occupation or profession, there ron was placed on the al1-conference are many areas that demand extra Janet MacGregor team. effort, and there should be adequate Dr. physical endowment to meet them. The spring of '75 saw 25 girls work Dsteopathic out at track and field. Janet Zidon won All students at the Northwest School the district long jump championship as were required to take fivedays per week a freshman in '75. The next season the of physical education and swimming Physician track squad placed second in District 31 classes. One of the graduation require­ competition and sent nine girls in ments was to swim three lengths of the eleven events to the regional. None pool. All students were �ncouraged �o went on to state from that group. How­ participate in at least one mterscholastlc 210 South Ash ever, in the spring of 1978, two girls sport. Sports programs were organized won the right to enter state competition, for both the boys and girls. 1949 Mary Biermaier in the mile run and Founded Denise Bul1ocks, a boarding student The Northwest School was fortunate from Chicago, in the 220 and the 440. to have dedicated coaches over the Denise set a new state record by win­ years, training their young farm boy� in ning the 220-yard run in 25.8 seconds football and basketball. The following and placed second in the state in the 440 men coached these two sports for the competition. Aggies: 1911-13 N.E. Schwartz and Ed Brandner Printing Johnson; 1914 0.1. Buhr; 1915-16 Mar­ Basketbal1 competition began for the tinus Stenseth; 1917-1920 T.M. McCall; girls at the Mount in the 1975-76 school 1921 R.R. Smith; 1922 Arnold Foker; year. The team is progressing and the 1923 H.P. Constans; 1924-1929 Delmar year of 1978-79 placed one girl, Julie LaVoi; D.A. Milligan, assistant; 1930- lOS 1/2 South Main Deml, on the al1-conference squad at 1937, 1940-42, R.J. Christgau; 19�8-39 district level. Stub Evans; 1943 Harry Roese; 1944- 1966 Herschel Lysaker; 1967-1 968 Joe Mazzitelli. Founded 1974 Coach Ed Bennett started cross­ country, wrestling and swimming at the N.W. School, directing these sports from 1938-1945. Hockey was also start­ ed in 1938 under Coach Wish Robin.

Grove Heating and Air Conditioning

SID Harth Front

Mary Biermaier - Mt. St. Benedict, Founded 1975 mile runner, 1978-1979 state entrant. 114 Interscholastic competition was held same program at UMC in 1966. To start Hockey is another exciting sport at in the following sports: football, cross­ with he served as athletic director and UMC. The hockey team won the State country, basketball, wrestling, swim­ coached all sports at UMC with the ex­ title in 1973 and competed in the Na­ ming, indoor track and hockey. The ception of wrestling. His football team tional Hockey Tournament at the Olym­ Northwest School was the first high in their third year of UMC's existence pic Arena in Lake Plac id, New York .. school in Northern Minnesota to intro­ won the conference title in 1968. The winning second place in the nation duce wrestling, having had good wres­ football program has been strong ever under coach Dale Stinar. This past sea­ tling teams since the early 30's. Every since, winning the conference cham­ son the team finished second in the year a high percentage of the Northwest pionship in 1968, 1973, 1974, 1976 and state. School graduates went on to college 1978. The state title was won in 1976 UMC also has a strong intramural where they enjoyed successful athletic under Coach Deryl Ramey. The 1978 and extramural sports program for both careers. Fans always remember and football team was coached by Jim Sims. men and women in which over fity per­ look to Ed Widseth with pride, who cent of the student body takes part. Two UMC athletes went on to the University of Minnesota made it into NFL UMC has also competed in cross­ and won All-American honors in foot­ football. Jim LeOair of South St. Paul country, track and baseball. 1968 first ball. who played on UMC's A UMC women's athletic program championship team is in his eighth sea­ Accurate records were kept in athle­ started in 1976 includes intercollegial e Cincinnati Bengals, play­ tics for the last 25 years of the North­ son with the cOIn petition in volleyball, track and regular middle lineback. west School's existence. Statistics show ing as their basketball. the all­ that the various NWSA athletic teams This past season he played in Incorporated into the intramural pro­ Mid­ earned a 700% plus win percentage star pro game. Tom Watkins from gram has been extramural competition this during that quarter of a century. dlesex, New Jersey, also played on between the Community State Colleges UMC 1968 championship team. He was of Northern Minnesota. Intramural ac­ draftedby the New Orleans Saints after tivities tor men and women include: flag he graduated from Weber State. football, basketball, volleyball, water The UMC basketball teams also have basketball, hockeyball, softball, table been very respectable. The first year of tennis, badminton, track, foosball, the College's existence, the basketball chess and billiards. team won the Brandon, Manitoba Invi­ tational Tournament, playing against Canadian four-year colleges. The 1966- 67 team also qualified for regional play­ W.S. Lycan placed an order offs in 1970, 1973, 1975 and 1976. In this morning for a large touring 1970 and 1976 they competed in the car and he expects that it will ar­ rive in short order. Mr. Lycan State College Tournament under Coach Marv Bachmeier. says that while he is a lover of horses and has always maintained UMC's wrestling program, under the that the horse was the only proper expert guidance of Rodney Mosher, means of transportation, he has who was a wrestler at the Northwest finally succumbed to the automo­ School, has always been tJetttr than bile fever and is anticipating average. The UMC wrestling teams some great trips through the sec­ have won their Conference title six out tion as soon as his car arrives. of the last twelv.e years and have had (July 13). qualified wrestlers for the National Jim LeCair, a member of UMC's 1968 Tournament every year since 1967. champion football team, is in his eighth season with the Cincinnati Bengals. UMe Athletic Program jfounbeb 1919 The athletic program at UMC is divided into two phases to encourage participation of as many students as possible in intramural and intercolleg­ J.C!E. �cbraeber iate athletics. The UMC administration was confident that it wo uld have good athletic teams when it opened its doors in 1966. The athletic director had ar­ ranged football, basketball and wres­ C!Companp tling schedules even before the college had a student body enrolled.

UMC intercollegiate athletic program started with a twenty-three man football squad in the fall of 1966. In its first 301 football game against Itasca State, UMC halfbackClem Zack tookthe open­ ing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. J}ortb jiroabtuap Coach Hersch Lysaker, who had coach­ ed and directed athletics at the North­ west School since 1944, took over the

115 Independent Athletic Groups

After the close of the first world war tournament played in the cities. After many soldiers returned who hadbad ex­ this state tourney the 151st champion­ Sandee perience playing basketball in army ship artilleryteam made a return visit to camps both in this country and over­ Crookston. In this game the Gunners seas. This group of veterans, naturally gained their revenge by soundly defeat· Some Center very active men, wanted to continue ing their visitors. their sports activities in basketball. This interest resulted in the organizingof the Crookston Gunners, who played their Members of this outstanding Crook­ ftrst schedule of games in 1921. ston Gunner team were: Central Coach Al Miller, playing standing 41B Korth Broadway guard; Ben Sampson. a Luther College star, playing fo rward; Mark Weber, Crookston athlete; Max Raines from Many interesting games were played Grand Forks Central at center; Ira with teams from neighboring towns; Haaven, a Hamline star from McIntosh , good competition was also received playing forward; Skinny Sinclair, a Hal· Founded IS" from many traveling teams. One of the lockna tive who had played for the Uni­ most interesting home and home series versity of North Dakota, and Deutch was developed with Thief River Falls. Hanson from Bismarck, who had also Whenever these two teams played, a been a good athlete at UND. special train consisting of a locomotive and one passenger car was always ar­ ranged fo r. Another interesting serie!: When the team decided to retire, they was played for several years with the (Some day when "Strolling were later replaced by a younger Two Harbors Independents, who had a the boulevard" check out Gunner team who, after reorganization. down salaried team of ex-collegians. the imprint on Crookston side­ participated both in basketball and soft­ walko;. You may discern the name ball. W. Johnson, a pioneer contractor, who installed many Crookston, Fi.,her, Fertile, and Fosston side­ In 1922 the Gunner basketball team Sorry: There was DO material contri­ walh.) lost the state championship to the buted to as by preiS time OD Iodepen­ Minneapolis 151 st artillery team in the dent boekey.

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UMC Campus continues Its deve­ lopment. View Is of new food ser­ vice and HRI clusroom building �igbtuap anti J}ortb under construction, looking east 2 75 toward current dining Caclllty...... Bede Hall.

116 In the spring of 1950, at a reg­ ular meeting of the Elks Lodge, a resolution was presented by Willis Eide, passed unanimously, to provide outdoor basketball standards for the youth of the city.

Before the program was offi­ cially activated in the community. Eide was killed in a one-car auto­ mobile accident. At this point it was decided by the lodge to dedi­ cate the program to his memory.

This Centennial year also marks the beginning of 30 contin­ uous year that the Elks Lodge has had this program. In that time­ The Willis Eide Memorial Basketball program was begun in 1950 by the Elks Lodge. around 200 locations have been Pictured (I to r) are: Milton O. Lyngholm (secretary), Walter E. Olson (exalted ruler), served. Roy Lindell (who constructs the standards), Willis Eide, and Patrick Turner, 1950 Central basketball coach.

Baseball In 1902 a professional team was or­ In 1933, Crookston returned to pro­ ganized and entered in the Northern fessional baseball as a member of the Earliest references to baseball teams League under the leadership of Man­ Class D Northern League. Danny in Crookston date from 1878 when the ager Lycan. This aggregation, referred Boone, a former Pittsburgh Pirate farm­ Red Stockings took the field. These to occasionally as the Colts but more hand, was hired as player-manager and early efforts were organized by the re­ often as the Crooks, played their games was also elected league president. At doubtable Lawrence "Trinky" McLind­ in Central Park. Insolvency forced the his suggestion the name of the team en, who probably, like too many early team out of the league after the 1905 was changed from Red Sox , which had players, acquired his interest in the season, and Crookston baseball re­ been its designation for some time, to game during military service in the Civil vertedto its former sporadic nature. Pirates. That name was subsequently War. adopted and maintained by Central In 1913 a team was organized to per­ High School and by amateur teams Over the ensuing 22 years, a succes­ form on a more regular basis. Its suc­ which have represented Crookston in a sion of teams flickered on and off the cess was largely attributable to the variety of sporting endeavors. The scene, bearing such names as "The pitching of former Ohio State University Pirates stayed in the Northern League Growlers", but mostly just "the town star, Stanley Duggan. By 1914 Duggan until the end of the 1941 season but team". Their efforts seemed to be con­ was pitching for Winnipeg and was sub­ dropped out at the start of World War fined to special occasions for the most sequently sold to Cincinnati. II. part, and they were often accompanied by sizable crowds traveling via special The "Old Town" team continued to By this time a covered wooden grand­ on cars on the railroad or by entertain local fans for many more excursi stand had been constructed and the en­ years, frequently with the aid of hired horse-drawn conveyances to distant tire ball park enclosed by a high board pitchers and catchers to support the points such as Red Lake Falls, Grand fence. A set of lights was added later to home town boys. Forks, and Eldred. make night baseball possible. The grandstand was located at Highland Park in the general area of the present­ day tennis courts. The stands extended down the first and third base lines and had a seating capacity of several thou­ sand. The third base section fell victim to a windstorm in the late forties, and the remainder was demolished in 1964.

Some of the organizers of the Crookston Pirates were Ole Ogg, Wil­ liam Stone, Bert Ruettell, M.O. Oppe­ gaard, Bill Eagle, John Cowley, and John Heldstab. Many others were in­ volved as well.

Crookston baseball returned to the Northern Minny league after the war with such players as Roy Lindell, Bob Siman, Andy Carey and Glen Gumlia. In City Bowling Champs in 1940 were (front row - I to r) Jack Damhoff, Roger Briden, Art 1947 and ' 48 the Pirates competed at the Lufkin; back row: Vitz Brouillard, Harry Rich, Jake Schriver, OiffSkrivseth . NBC national tournament in Wichita.

117 Indebtedness caused the local club to founder in the mid '50's, but it was re­ organized on a strictly local basis in 1961 as a member of the Norman-Polk League. Crookston has continued to field strong baseball teams from that time to the present, though they had to move the base of their operations to the U.M.C. fieldfrom 1970-74 while the old Highland Park field was being obliter­ ated and the present, professional qual­ ity playing fieldwas constructed.

Crookston's amateur team continued to be known as the Pirates until 1973, The National Guard diamond ball team champions of 1931 were a machine-gun company when the name was changed to the known as Company M. Pictured (I to r) back row are Emil Romuld, Bill McWaters, Dave Reds. In 1974 the Pirates were revived leBlanc, Eddie McWaters, Al Prudhomme, Edwin Romuld, Ervin Brunelle. Capt. as a second team, which died in 1978. In Michael Bang. In the front row, Randolph Saugstad, Joe Malone, Roy Lindell, Darrel 1979, the newest unit, the Blues, took Morlan, Melbourne Bang, Ted Parenteau, Ralph Gronvold. the field along with the Reds. F.J. Lipovitz was then hired by the years in a row. After this achievement At lower levels of proficiency, Crook­ Park Board to supervise recreational the rest of the league voted not to (et ston is represented by American Le­ activities and softball was reactivated. this team play. The only way any of th gion, Babe Ruth, and Midget teams in Under Lipovitz' guidance, a total of players could participate was to discon­ intercity play. A recreational program sixty-eight men's and boy's teams were tinue the team and involve the members sponsored by the park board serves as formed in addition fo a large numberof in other league teams. the feeder system for these teams. women's and girls' teams. The game was played from early morning until If any All-Star team were to be chosen dark, five days a week. Rivalry was Crookston baseball has produced a from those years, some feel the follow­ host of players who progressed to play close and, with competition as keen as it ing would deserve the honor, with two at colfege level. Several local athletes was, it was not uncommon to have named at each position except for the have had the opportunity to play pro­ . crowds of three and fo ur thousand at- pitcher, which has five: Catcher - Roy fessionally. Turner played in the 60's tending the games. Crookston was host Lindell, Mike Morin; First base - Glen and Gary Royal spent a couple of years to the State Tournament on two occa­ Gumlia, Robert McWaters; Second base with the N.Y. Mets' organization in the sions during the 30's. - Ed McWaters, Bunny Holtz; Short 70's. stop - Halvor Tvedten, Charlie Sannes; There were ten men on a team, the Third base - Andy Carey, Randolph By far the most successful Crookston tenth being a short-fielder who played Saugstad; Outfielders - Irving Brun­ player was Wes Westrum, a Oearbrook somewhere between the base paths and elle, Ted Parenteau, Dave leBlanc, native, who played with the Northern the outfielders. Bases were only forty­ Toddy Johnson, Tony Schmidt; Short League team, and then spent many five feet long, and the pitching mound fielder - Gil Berquam, Lyle Francis; years playing and managing in the was only thirty-three and a half feet Pitcher - Ed Romuld, Bill Bates, Ed major leagues, �ostly for the N.Y. from the batter's box. With all the fast McWaters, Bud Quist, and George Giants and Mets. pitching at this time, batters had little Charboneau. time to decide whether to hit or pass. Most of the games ended in low scores. Softball OIdtimers will recall such names as After a few years the distance was in­ Dr. Neblung, Emil Romuld, Ray Oppe­ creased to sixty feet between bases, and Back in 1921 Paul Schmidt, physical garrd, Milan Espe, Bob O'Boyle, Lowell instr·uctor in the local school system, in­ placement of the pitcher's mound to its present position was initiated. Francis, Lowell Grady, Frank Sherak, troduced softball to Crookston. The Joe Malone, Al Prudhomme, Mike sport was played between classes since Outstanding teams sponsored by Bang, Albert Acker, Lawrence Ander­ leagues were not in existence and with­ son, and Stewart Saver. Bill McWaters, many business firms of the day in­ in two to three years the sport was dis­ who participated in league play for 30 cluded: Co. M. National Guard, Sani­ continued. years, umpired for fifteen. tary Dairy, DeMolay, Firemen, Minne­ sota Highway Department, Rotary, Crookston Times, Crookston Milling In 1969 Crookston appointed Ray Co., and Hansen Tires. Eklund as a full-time city recreational Fi tzsimmons director. The Highland Park Complex, Softball had been introduced. in which has fivesoftball fields, one base­ Crookston under the name of kitten­ ball diamond, four tennis courts, and Grocery ball. The ball used was larger than th parking for ninety cars, has been in present one but just as hard. The name existence since 1971. Today fast pitch of the game was changed to diamond­ has been phased out because of the lack ball, which name prevailed for some of pitchers and slow pitch has taken 2D1 East Bth Street time until it was changed to the current over. term of softball. Presently there are twenty-two men's Stars of the day were plentiful, and teams-andtwelve girls' teams. The men Founded lSS3 each team had its share. One of the out­ play a total of�2 games and the women standing teams of the 30's was the Co. play 96, not including tournament M team. It won the championship fo ur games. 118 3Journep jiach lInto 1900' 5 ...... • • (!Corne 18ac h

The following accounts are memories flowering shrubs and there was a small of horses stemmed from this period ... contributed by Mrs. Isabelle [Gramer] greenhouse at the rear of the lot. Old Charley was so patient as he stood Popenbagen. waiting for his mistress ...swishing his Auntie Vandermark was always glad tail about to keep off the flies... occas­ When ...railroading was "big busi­ to have her "children" as she called sionally looking with his big brown eyes ness" in Crookston; it provided not only them, come to see her, and I'll never at the house ... great economic stability ·by employing forget one sunny summer afternoon many people at good pay ...plus reliable when a companion and I.. ...we were The real name of the lady was ' 'Mary transportation ...bu t beyond that ...it about eight years old .....were in the Savery", and she had come to this furnished a charisma of exciting ac­ neighborhood and decided to call on her country from England. She lived on a tivity ...with the bustling crowds at the .....she beamed like a ray of sunshine farm five miles west of Crookston ...it Great Northern and Northern Pacific and made each of us feel like we were was a lovely place ...the little white depots. In addition to the "paying cus­ something special. Aftershowing us her house was on top of a hill which sloped tomer" ...there were those who "rode beautiful flowers and garden, we felt gently down toward the Red Lake River, the rods" ...and "hobo camps" were very grown-up to be served milk and with a wide pasture circling a wooden scattered all along the train routes. cookies in her cozy kitchen .....what a area at the left... Early in. their marri­ happy memory from a carefree, sunny age, the husband died in the big influ- Railroad families I recall as living "on the hill" near my home ...were "the Laughlins" ..."the Juhls" ..."the Jim Byrnes" on North Main Street ..."the Lemens" and "the Mullins" on North Broadway ...for the first half of this cen­ tury and for some years before, the rail­ road men .. .in their handsome navy blue uniforms ...with gold trim and buttons on their coats and caps ...were a com­ mon sight.

I suppose many youngsters growing up in that era ...enjoyed the game of "make believe train" as I did ...we had a big wood swing in our yard, with fac­ ing bench seats. I would get my play­ mates to occupy the seats as passengers and I was "conductor and engineer" sitting on the wooden slat floor... fur­ nishing the "locomotion" ...1 rigged up a bell on the support post ofthe swing ... and took my passengers to the most out­ landish sounding places ...hoping their imagination matched my own ... "I remember, I remember" ......

childhood in Crookston .....to me, she enza epidemic ...and Mary was left a­ Vandermark will always symbolize that famous line, lon� to carry on ...which was why she "Let me live in a house by the side of turned to truck gardening. I think she Back in the 1918 era of Crookston ....a the road, and be a friend to man". was an example to me and everyone lovely white haired lady known to every­ else of the dignity uf hard work, and the one as "Auntie Vandermark" ....a mid­ whole town admired her charm, dignity wife who helped usher many a Crook­ Tlte Rltuba rb Lady and courage. stonite into life. She kept her black satchel packed, ready to go at an in­ Back in the 20's... "T he Rhubarb stant's notice .....and stay for as long as Lady" - so-called by the kids who­ On Sundays, Mary, who was a devout she was needed .....which sometimes would spot her coming down the neigh- Episcopalian, would drive her fancy meant not only looking after the new borhood alleys ...about once a week in black ...single seated buggy to church ... baby and mother, but the household as the summers ...selling fresh vegetable pulled by "Old Charley" duded up for well. and fruits ...from her wagon ...pulled by the occasion with some sort of a fancy her faithful horse "Old Charley" ...she red knotted blanket over his flanks. "Auntie" and her son Harold lived in would usually arrive at our place about Mary was a pretty, slightly built woman a white frame house on the west side of noon ...hot and weary ...and was often and she made quite a picture sifting the old overhead N.P. Bridge "on the invited to share our noon meal...the erect in her buggy, dressed in a long Hill" and several blocks north of the wagon and Charley rested in the shade black taffetadre ss with white lace at the bridge. The yard around the house was of a large oak and I loved to fetch him collar and cuffs... 1 always think of her very large and filled with fruit trees and water and a bite to eat...I think my love as a real classy lady. 119 boxes" ...usua lly wooden ...with a metal metal shoots into basement bins ...the lined compartment for the ice ...sur­ scrunchy sounds of vehicles and people In the 20's ...the covered wagons ...of rounded by shelves for food ...the ice­ on icy streets ...the rhythmic sounds of the Gypsies, that is .. .in the summers ... man would know how many pounds of the bells on the huge drafthorses pull· news of their appearance spreading like ice a household wanted by a sign placed ing the long, low wooden sleds of ice wildfire through the town ...the wagons on the front door or window... on a hot blocks taken from the Red Lake River with their tops swaying ...fi\1ed with summer day it was great to see him near Central Park to the large storage women and children and stuff... pot s drive up ...hois t a big hunk of ice with barn near the east side of the Northern and pans and whatnot dangling on the hugh calipers over his shoulder (he Pacific Overpass; the ringing of the outside. When they were sighted in a wore a heavy black rubber tunic) and bells at the neighborhood schoolhouses, announcing the start of school and neighborhood, kids were summoned or put it in our "ice box': ...we could usual­ yanked inside their homes ...blinds ly count on mother making a big freezer calling students in from "Recess" ...the pulled ...and doors locked. The rumor of vanilla ice cream that day, and was it sounds of "Radio" in the later twenties. had persisted in the town that early in good ! ..the familiar theme song of the "Ma the 1900's a girl about ten years old, Perkins" show ...the hilarious conversa· with long black curly hair, had been kid­ Ech oes tions of " Amos and Andy" ...the beauti­ napped by the Gypsies in Central Park. ful music of the Big Name Bands ... She had at first, been presumed to have of the Past Tommy Dorsey, Wayne King, Artie drowned in the Red Lake River, but no Shaw, Guy Lombardo ...many originat­ body was ever recovered and the I remember ...the low, steady hum­ ing in the famous Trianon Ballroom in Gypsies were in town at the time of her ming of the "old dam" in Sampson's Chicago and the New Yorker in New disappearance. Addition ...on quiet summer evenings; York.

The wagons would stop in the neigh­ borhoods ...while the Gypsy fo rtune te\1- ers would go door-to-door asking to have their palms crossed with silver in exchange for a fortune told by palm or tea leaves ...some foolish clients parted not only with silver but some things they hadn't counted on. The only thfng in their favor that could be said, was that they created a certain amount of excitement in a time that had no diver­ sions such as radio or television. I do not recollect seeing much of the gypsies in the thirties, - most likely they acquired cars and sought greener pastures, - I do not know what caused their disap­ pearance from the local scene, other tnan the chilly reception they received. Signs of the Times A Sunday afternoonha y ride. I remember ...in the twenties ...when there were diseases like scarlet fever Sunday afternoons, when the sound of and smallpox prevalent ...seeing homes music was the Band Concert in Central marked with signs near the door or in a Park ...with T.W. Thorson "Mr. Music window "Scarlet Fever" ..." Smallpox" Man" as conductor; the sound of the ...which meant the place was quaran­ morning doves in early morning ...fo l­ Back in the late twenties, when radio tined. I do not reca\1 our family having lowed by the clatter of horse-drawn de­ created a new dimension in our lives ... anything but the usual mumps and livery trucks mingled with the loud also talking movies ...Al Jolson in the measles. I reca\1 the fifth and sixth bangs and horns of "the automobiles"; first talking movie "The Jazz Singer" grades at the old Cathedral School re­ the sound of milk cans being rattled a­ was shown at the Grand Theatre ...was ceiving a patch test for tuberculosis ...I f round at the creamery on North Broad­ that a sensation! Gone from the scene the test indicated it ...then our chests way; the spring and fall sounds of car­ was the piano player who had provided were x-rayed by the family doctor. pets being beaten as they hung over mood music for the "silents". "T.B." as it was ca\1ed ...was quite pre­ backyard clotheslines; the almost con­ valent. ..Su nnyrest was the sanatoruium stant sounds from the busy Great North­ On reflection, it is good we had a at Crookston ...Doctors I reca\1 practic­ ern and Northern Pacific Railroads - comparatively tranquil "twenties" be­ ing in Crookston at the time of the their warning whistles ...the clattter of cause we did not of course know it then, "signs" were: Dr. Norman, Dr. Hodg­ the big wheels on the steel rails ...the but we were to face the traumatic ' 'thir­ son ...Dr. Holte ...Dr. Nelson ...1a ter on lonesome sound of train whistles during ties" with the Big Depression and Dirt there was Dr. M.O. Oppegaard, Dr. the night; the church be\1s ringing out Storms and the Big War in the "forties" C.L. Oppegaard, Dr. Locken, and others for Sunday services; the startling wail of and the following years with unbeliev­ whose names I do not recall. the fire siren ... able advances on so many technical and scientific fronts ...which have occa­ Then there were ...in the time before Winters were accompanied by the sioned so many different "life styles" refrigerators were manufactured ..."i ce sound of coal being shoveled down from the time when I was young.

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