Sherburne History Center Blog

“Bake” Anderson, legally known as Clarence Anchor Anderson, remains a little known and unreferenced businessman and contributor to Elk River history.  Clarence Anderson gained the nickname “Bake” early.  He attended the Dunwoody Baker’s School in the 1920s with the goal of owning his own bakery. Advertisement for Anderson's Bakery, 1940 Beginning in about 1932, Bake Anderson opened Anderson’s Bakery in downtown Elk River.  38 years he operated, apparently, the only bakery in town. At times, he claimed the title of Sherburne County’s only bakery.  Regardless of the claims, he produced a wonderful array of pastries and breads for Elk River consumption.  Throughout the 1930s he sold ice box cookies, pies, cakes, donuts, and a variety of breads.  At Christmas he sold a number of fruitcakes and breads.  Jula Kaga, a Swedish Christmas bread, remained a specialty unique to his bakery.  He also continuously updated his bakery, guaranteeing a qual...

National Donut Day originated by the Salvation Army in 1938.   A means to recognize all of their members that served donuts to soldiers during World War One.   The Salvation Army served more than donuts to soldiers.   According to Wikipedia, volunteers established huts near the front lines in France to serve baked goods to U. S. troops.   National Donut Day began as a fundraising event for the Salvation Army, and remains a source of income to this day.   In honor of National Donut Day, here at the Sherburne History Center we publish this photo of Bake Anderson and his Bakery in Elk River.   From a different time than the World War One volunteers; Bake Anderson provide culinary delights to a generation of Elk River.