Newspapers
serve as the first recorders of history.
Their content provides invaluable information.
A
truly unique collection of newspapers published by the Becker Schools reside in
the collections of the Sherburne History Center Library and Archives. These papers provide unique insight into the
community and the activities of the area.
Known simply as The Beacon,
the collection of newspapers ranges from 1942 to 1944. Publishing in the midst of the war, the
reporters for the school paper took a very serious tone while they provided
news of the schools and of the community.
An
example of the serious tone of the paper, the front pages of the December 10,
1942 The Beacon reported the details
of the draft registration scheduled for the week of December 18 to December 24,
1942. The paper also reported on the
scheduled blackout test on December 14.
“In Becker the fire bell will be rung at intervals of 5 seconds as a
signal that the black out is beginning,” the paper reported. “Twenty minutes later the fire bell will be
rung continuously for two minutes to indicate that the black out is over.”
On
a lighter note, local community gossip within the school and around Becker was
also published. From “Senior News” to
the “Primary Grades” events were reported.
“We were pleasantly surprised on Friday when Phyllis brought two tiny
turtles to school. We all enjoy our new
pets very much,” the primary grades reported.
While the senior news discussed the physics class explorations in fire
and heat.
Although
they are mimeographed copies of newspapers, the information contained on these
pages show the unique personality of Becker, Minnesota in the midst of World
War Two. The local character of the
pages provide insight that cannot be found anywhere else.
Front Page Becker Beacon
Thanksgiving issue,
Front Page Becker Beacon
Thanksgiving issue,
25 November 1942
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