Sherburne History Center Blog

It has been a few months, but with the new year, I am resolved to post more information about the history of Sherburne County.   So, here goes:   With the anniversary of World War Two, we have all heard about the scrap drives and rationing programs.   Yet, exploring the scrap drives in more detail may enlighten us about the true value of this particular program.   Sherburne county promoted its first scrap drive in the summer of 1942.   Elk River Mayor M. C. Tesch provided some perspective on the value of scrap metal to the war effort.   He noted fifty pounds of scrap metal would help make artillery shells.   Cartridge cases originated from discarded doorknobs. And, 25 tons of steel made a tank.   In this first scrap dive, the city of Elk River urged the citizens to deliver 30,000 pounds of scrap for the war effort.   Although J. D. Flaherty, the chairman of the scrap drive committee, felt the city would surpass the goal, disa...

Shortly after the United States declared war in April 1917, citizens realized in addition to the necessary rations of U. S. soldiers, there existed the starvation of civilians throughout Europe.  The government created the U. S. Food Administration to encourage rationing and conserving food.  Under the direction of future President Herbert Hoover, the administration instituted a voluntary rationing program that included Meatless Tuesdays and Wheatless Wednesdays.  Through the year of war and into 1919, consumption of meat in the United States dropped more than 15 percent.  Exports of food to Europe increased significantly. Locally, the Sherburne County Star News promoted the rationing.  Referring to the Meatless Tuesdays and Wheatless Wednesdays, the paper opined, “If these measures are necessary to win the war, let us all munch corn meal and be thankful.”  The paper went on to suggest the rationing of bacon.  “Bacon is the soldiers’ real food fr...