Sherburne History Center Blog

            Today the local weather reports seem rather boring.   Each day the morning announcers lament the lack of snow in Minnesota .   Around town, however, friends are telling me to just sit back and wait.   When the snow comes, it is going to arrive with a great deal of fanfare.             History has shown that the month of November is a time of unpredictable and often frightening weather. Snow at SHC, November 2010             Only twenty years ago, the Halloween blizzard of 1991 witnessed a snowstorm that delivered more 28 inches in a two day period.   The snow started to fall at noon on October 31 and continue for two days.   It was a heavy, wet snow that stayed.   Trick-or-treaters were forced to climb over snow drifts to reach houses for candy.   In the Twin Cities, children...

October 27, 1891—An accident occurred on the Minneapolis and Pacific Railroad when a train ran into the caboose of a leading train, killing five men.   Four of the fatalities were from a Monticello threshing crew.   The lead train was apparently stopped when the second locomotive came upon them.   The collision was so violent one man was thrown through the roof of the caboose and landed on top of an adjoining freight car.             On November 1, the conductor of the moving train was arrested and charged with criminal negligence for the deaths of the men  

Okay, before we begin, let me acknowledge that my standing in the Elk River Preservation discussion is limited.  I do not live in Elk River.  However, as Executive Director of the Sherburne County Hsitorical Society, I do have some interest in this discussion. The Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Elk River is committing an injustice against the people of Elk River . Recent news reports in the Star News state the HRA has voted to evict the Elk River Arts Alliance from its building at 720 Main Street. This will begin the process to tear down 716 and 720 Main .   Their justification for this action is the fear the roof may collapse under a heavy snow in the coming winter.  I have been assured this chance is minor. Well, the suggestion has been made that the HRA is not serving the people of Elk River in a completely unbiased manner. What the HRA is not saying is that repairs to the building would cost a minimum $75,000.   Tearing down the building would...

If you are following the Sherburne History Center facebook page over the last few weeks you will have noticed we are a bit obsessed about the weather.   In studying local historic newspapers, it appears the concern for weather is part of the character of Sherburne County residents.   And, it simply isn’t the record highs and lows, the impressively strong winds, or tornadoes that roll through the county.   Each day the weather is unique and becomes an interesting facet of coming events.   Even the smallest details are noted. In August of 1894, the Sherburne County Star News reported not only was it hot (the daytime temperature hovered around 100 all week with a night time low of the high 80s), but also technology had taken a step forward for weather forecasters.   The newspaper reported, “ Elk River is now furnished with weather reports by telephone.   The character of the weather is no better than it was before.” Extremes in the weather were always...

Out west, tradition held that stealing a man’s horse was the most despicable and life threatening action imaginable.   A horse thief was usually hanged without the benefit of a jury trial.   I recently came across the following article in the Sauk Rapids Frontierman on 7 June 1855:   The meanest and most contemptible action we know of, is for a white man to steal a canoe.   It is a common occurrence, for some people who are going to the Falls or St. Paul , and who are either too stingy or mean to pay for a passage down by land or purchase a canoe, to steal the first one they chance to see.   The people residing upon the river have lost a large number during the past two years, and we have lately been made a victim by one of this class of detestable beings—canoe stealers.   It may seem cunning, and be a cheap way to go down stream, but if we ever find out the thief, he will learn to his satisfaction that “ Jordan am a hard road to travel.” I wonder if t...

The Mpls./St. Paul Star Tribune published an interesting article on-line that suggests Minnesota students are generally well informed about American History.   Coming from a teaching background in Georgia , this is great news. According to the article, teachers and student evaluators in Minnesota give students high marks for knowing the basics of U. S. History.   Unfortunately they lack depth in their understanding.   Students know who Thomas Jefferson was, that Richard Nixon resigned the Presidency in disgrace, and the basics of World War II.   Unfortunately, they don’t necessarily understand Watergate or appreciate the relationship between Jefferson and Sally Hemings.   This is a big deal.   I once taught U. S. History at a university in Georgia where students didn’t know who won World War II!!   It sounds like Minnesota is doing well to teach their children their history.   Nationwide the news is not so good.   A report quoted in the...

A close up of the trunk for more perspective on the idea of BIG!