Sherburne History Center Blog

  An interesting collection arrived at the Sherburne History Center in recent weeks.   A wonderful collection of letters from George Bostrom to his family members living here in Sherburne County.   Particularly interesting, the bulk these letters came from France during World War One.   George’s letters document the different training camps and finally his stations “somewhere in France”.   The letters begin in 1918 and continue through 1920.   In letters to his family George documents everything from experiencing bombings at the front, to the price of chocolate.   Also interesting, he provides the exchange rate from American dollars to French francs.   From his letters we know, a 12-ounce chocolate bars cost anywhere from thirty cents to sixty cents. Letterhead from the Knights of Columbus.   George Bostrom used this, as well as letterhead  provided by the YMCA, to write letters home In a letter written the day before the Armistic...

  This week is county fair week.   Give or take a few years, we need to note the 132 years of the annual meeting.   Each year, an opportunity presents itself for county farmers and future farmer to gather and share ideas for improved farming.   This gathering also gives them all an opportunity for bragging rights for their own farming prowess. An early fair exhibit in Meadowvale, circa 1900 So, we need to look back at the first meeting of county farmers at the fairs held in Meadowvale.   Starting in 1889, framers would meet for one day in November with the harvest complete and time to explore new ideas and techniques. Then, starting in 1915, the fair moved into Elk River.   First at a location near the corner of today’s Jackson Street and Highway 10.   Later, the fair site moved to land bordering the Mississippi River.   Finally, in 1957, the fair located to the present site on Joplin Street on the western outskirts of Elk River.   The le...

  With the Fourth of July weekend upon us, local historians inevitably ask: how did we celebrate so many years ago?   Has it always been loud fireworks and excessive drink?   The answer to these questions remains a definitive yes and no.   Depending on the year and the location, the fourth of July celebration in Sherburne County has been both loud and raucous, and other times silent and sedate.   Veteran's Memorial at Sherburne History Center Using newspapers as the source, in the decade of the 1890s, often town baseball remained the highlight of a July Fourth celebration.   The newspapers routinely reported of tournaments pitting Elk River nines against Rogers, Monticello, or other local teams.   With the end of nine innings a watermelon feast marked the culmination of the celebration.   During the decade, livelier celebrations also took place.   In 1893, the newspapers advertised river excursions on the Mississippi River.   The ste...