A recent photograph published on the internet, generated a
variety of questions regarding the location and history of Meadow Vale. We will make an effort to provide more
details about life in the area known as Meadow Vale, possibly fill in some
details about the community
Meadow Vale was originally a farming community located in the
north west corner of Elk River township.
For individuals looking at a map, consider section 6 of township 33,
range 26, with some overlap into section 31, township 34, range 26.
Meadow Vale Schoolhouse |
Perhaps the most common photograph associated with the
community continues to be the image of District 28 schoolhouse (references
vary, some research refers to the school as District 18). The school, along with the nearby church,
served as the community centers for Meadow Vale.
Still later, the local Grange Hall also acted as a community gathering
place.
Memories of the community, written by Mildred Hill Felix,
remember the borders of the unincorporated neighborhood. “Meadow Vale, in those days extended from the
George Keasling place to the Antlett place, then west and south to the Taylor
and Englebretson places. No more. Anyone coming from other communities were
considered outsiders.”
The schoolhouse and church (Meadow Vale Union Church) were
both built on the southwest area of the community. “About a quarter of a mile east of the
school, a lovely little church was built on the south side of the road,” Ms.
Felix remembered. “One summer evening during
an electrical storm, lightning struck this church and it burned. Another church was then built on the opposite
side of the road. This church was later
sold and moved away.”
Meadow Vale Union Church |
Several of the community events in Meadow Vale included a
literary club and missionary society meeting.
The Felix memoirs noted, the literary club “was just what the name
implied—discussing of books, poems and other writings.” She went on to remember, the missionary
society “met monthly and there was always a big dinner, and all the men attended
this dinner. I’ve known there to be as
many as 15 or 16 cakes, and many tried to taste them all.” The missionary society raised money during
the meetings to support missionary work in Turkey.
Ms. Felix also remembered the origins of the Sherburne
County Fair in Meadow Vale. “A Meadow Vale
fair was started showing needle work, baked goods, garden crops, fruits,
etc. People came from Elk River, Big
Lake, Orrock, Zimmerman and around.” The
Sherburne County Fair grew out of this Meadowvale fair and moved to Elk River.
In the years of its existence, Meadow Vale residents clearly maintained
a busy community life. Between church and
school, fairs and philosophical societies remained active. Even in this isolated area of Sherburne
County.
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