South Washington Heritage Society

January 2009	This month's meeting centered on the video presentation of "The End of an Era", a history of the St. Paul Union Stockyards. The history, compiled by Tom Kaliszewski, his wife and 2 sons, chronicled the company from start to finish. The stockyards began as an idea with the president of the Chicago Great Western Railroad, A. B. Stickney. Stickney thought Minnesota would be a good place for a stockyard (also good for his railroad's business) as feed was plentiful along with an abundant supply of water. Thus, in June of 1886 the stockyard began operations. The name infers it was located in St. Paul, of which it was, but the town of South St. Paul became a reality, a year later, in 1887. The first trainload of cattle arrived in the fall of 1887. In 1888, the first slaughterhouse began operations. Being rather large, the 75-acre stockyard had its own police and fire departments. A photo at our meeting showed the immensity of the companies that comprised the operation. Swift and Company and Armour Packing Co. were the two main packinghouses and combined, had 7,000 employees. It was noted that from 1974 through 1981, the St. Paul Union Stockyards was the world's largest. Being so large, the stockyards complex had its own social life. Softball leagues and the like were very common. Interesting facts were given by Tom after the video ended. The video had several on-camera interviews with past employees and many historical photos from the Minnesota History Center and the Dakota Historical Society. The last day of operations on April 11, 2008, was covered with live footage in the video. Copies of the video are still available from the Dakota County Historical Society for $20. With two thumbs up, it's a must see for history buffs.
February 2009	When Bing Crosby recorded the song "Brother, can you spare a dime" in October of 1932, it summed up the mood of the times. The Great Depression was the topic of discussion this month and featured a panel forum, led by Lambert Plante. With one in four Americans out of work, we heard the panelists tell how hard times directed their lives. The discussion began with a written memoir of a member's family in Iowa, and how their lives were affected. Our panel represented both farm and city people. The farm members' common thread was everyone was in the same predicament. One member told of the sale of a 300 pound hog. The price received was one dollar. With that dollar, flour and sugar were purchased and it lasted all winter. They all had large gardens for family use and meat was supplied from their own farm. When the garden was harvested in the fall, everything that could be canned was. Lamb's quarter, a common weed, was even used as a vegetable. Entertainment was a family thing with sing-a-longs on the piano. School life, chores and church functions were a large part of the social fabric that held everything together. The city panelists told of their fathers and brothers working for the C.C.C., W.P.A. and N.R.A. after Franklin Roosevelt became president and instituted the New Deal. If you were single, Thirty dollars per month was earned. If married with a family, sixty dollars was the norm. The main thought amongst all panelists was "we didn't know we were poor."
March 2009	This month's meeting featured our own version of "Antiques Roadshow." Mike Kranz of Midtown Antiques, located in Stillwater, was our guest appraiser. We saw items from the basement, attic, barn, corncrib and china cabinet brought in by members for Mike's educated appraisal. A doll from France, ca. 1890 would bring in $500 on the market, even more if the original clothes were with it. A pressed steel operating dump truck from the 1920's was found in a member's corncrib. The appraised price for the pristine condition truck was $350. We also had a 160 year old, made in London, concertina valued at $400-600. Old watches, a child's sewing machine, a land grant from 1874 signed by President U.S. Grant, and many other items were also appraised. With each item, the member presenting the piece was asked for its history. Most items had a family history of where they were acquired. Being a very popular program, we asked to Mike to come back next year to lend his expertise. He gladly agreed.
April 2009	Bev G. presented this month's program entitled Tales of Cedarhurst. It was about the mansion and the people who lived there. Cedarhurst began with Charles Fanning building a farmhouse around the time of the Civil War. The house was passed down to his granddaughter, Mary Frances Harriman, who married Cordenio Severance of Pennsylvania in 1889. Severance, an attorney, worked for James J. Hill of the Great Northern Railway. He also began the law firm of Davis, Kellogg and Severance, which later transformed into Briggs and Morgan. The Severances owned two houses on Summit Avenue in St. Paul and began Cedarhurst as their summer residence. Noted architect, Cass Gilbert, was commissioned to enlarge the estate house to its fullest possible grandeur. Construction began in 1911 and was completed in 1917. The residence had a 100-foot veranda, 2 classical porticoes, 26 rooms, 9 bathrooms, 3 fireplaces and an elevator. At one time, the 700-acre estate had four barns and five houses, besides the main mansion. Over the Severance years, the mansion guest list included many dignitaries such as: Theodore Roosevelt, Wm. Howard Taft, Warren G. Harding and others. Mary was a prominent member of the Republican Party and rose to national fame. Bev worked at the mansion from 1980 until 1996 in hospitality. The Treasure Island casino opened and tour companies used to visit the mansion regularly, but favored the casino, so took the mansion off their list of tours. With new ownership, the mansion is once again a favorable setting for wedding ceremonies and receptions, corporate functions, meetings and social occasions. They also offer afternoon tea in elegant style. Visit their web page at www.cedarhurstmansion.com for more information.
May 2009	Our topic of the Rock Island swing bridge was presented by Herb R. and John H. John began with stats on the bridge which included; its National Bridge Inventory number of 5600, Mississippi River mile 830.3, 686 feet above sea level, etc. He then continued with a history of the firm that built it, the railroads that used it and the bonds that paid for it. Pittsburgh Bridge Company of Philadelphia, PA was the builder and their agents/contractor Nelson and Buchanan installed it. Using 360 flatcars of stone for bridgeheads and piers, 450,000 feet of lumber and 46,000 lineal feet of piling, the bridge construction began in 1894 and was completed in April of 1895. Railroads that used it included: South St. Paul Beltline Railroad; Minneapolis & St. Paul Terminal Railway; Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific. The Rock Island bought out the aforementioned railroads between 1903 and 1915. Bonds amounting to $115,000 from South St. Paul, Newport Twp., St. Paul Park, Cottage Grove and Inver Grove paid part of the $300,000 total cost. The bonding towns' voters were sold on the premise of a "Free Wagon and Foot" bridge. As soon as the bridge opened, toll charges were initiated by the Pittsburgh Bridge Co. and the Beltline Railroad. Although it was legal, the bonding towns were extremely upset. The tolls lasted until 1938 when Dakota and Washington counties began paying rent to the Rock Island Railroad. That ended in 1980 when Al Roman bought the bridge and began charging sixty cents per crossing in 1982, when the bridge reopened. Herb told us of the demise of the bridge and how it was removed. He had many photos of the event that spanned months and explained the photo display board. The swing span was taken down, one piece at a time off of each end in order to maintain balance. Society member, Bud H. was the last Rock Island engineer to cross the bridge. Other members cited experiences they had using the bridge.
June 2009	Wedding Traditions and Dresses was Lorraine B.'s theme this month. She began her presentation by reading an account of her mother's wedding in 1929. On display, was her mother's wedding dress. Originally white, the dress had been remade and dyed green to use as Sunday finery. Lorraine told of her wedding in 1950 and had the dress she wore. For her reception, hot dishes were served and to make a large enough batch, a washtub were used to feed the 150 guests. Daughter Delores was next to be married in 1980 and she wore her mother's dress. Delores spoke of popular colors for groomsmen in the 1980's. Lorraine crocheted shawls for each of the bridesmaids. Daughter Janet was the next to marry. Once again, Lorraine crocheted shawls for the bridesmaids and also wore her mother's dress. She explained that in 1983, gray was the popular color for groomsmen in that era. Her reception was held in the backyard and due to extensive rain, a large red and white tent was used. Because of the wet ground, old carpeting was used for a floor. Ruth P. brought her wedding dress from the 1950's. She told us she made both of her daughters dresses. Lorrie P. told of the picture she brought as did Bev G. Georgia K. brought in her mother's dress. Alice R. baked and decorated a wedding cake that we all enjoyed with punch provided by Georgia K. Many period wedding dresses and wedding photos were on display.
July 2009	Herb R. arranged a grand tour of the Union Cemetery and Fleming Field, both in South St. Paul. Our thanks to Herb for a fine job. Our tour began at the memorial monument dedicated to Richard Fleming, U.S.M.C. where Herb told us the story behind it. Fleming Field was named on January 3, 1944 in tribute to Fleming's heroic deeds as a torpedo bomber pilot in WW-2. Next, we went to Union Cemetery, across the road from the airport. Established in 1867, the cemetery remains active today. Names on the grave stones told of area residents and in a far corner was a Pratt & Whitney reciprocal engine dedicated to the memory of Ben Wiplinger founder of Wipaire. Another grave marker is in the form of a tree trunk carved out of limestone (?) a rather unique monument. Next, we went on to the airport hangars and were met by a representative from Wipaire. We toured several of their hangars and were told the story of how Ben Wiplinger began making world-class floats for aircraft. They also refurbish and maintain aircraft from private parties and build the "Fire Boss", an aircraft used for fighting forest fires. Next we stopped at the Commemorative Air Force hangar to view their collection and a peek at the B-17 they own and operate. The C.A.F. is manned by an all-volunteer staff. We then went to the Lysdale hangar. Open seven days a week, there are many historic items on display. Among the items was a 1929 Hamilton H-47 airplane. The 4-year restoration was completed by Jack Lysdale. We also saw early Northwest Airlines memorabilia. A full size replica of the Wright Brother's "Wright Flyer" is also on display. That part of the hangar houses the Minnesota Museum of Aviation and the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame. With perfect weather for a field trip, we had an above average turn-out of members.
August 2009	No meeting this month
September 2009	Twenty-five Heritage Society members had a beautiful day to tour the town of Red Wing in a vintage trolley car. Owners, Curt and Karen Kline, give tours on the weekends in summer departing from the train depot. One of the Kline's brothers-in-law was our guide presenting a history lesson as the trolley passed along the Mississippi River's Bay Point park, boat houses and docks, and the old buildings formerly used by the Red Wing Pottery Company. Along our route, we saw people walking the paths of Barn Bluff, many historic homes and were told the history of their owners, and the downtown buildings including Sheldon Theatre, St. James Hotel and shops. Naomi P. A., coordinator of the tour, made luncheon reservations for our group at the St. James Hotel's Veranda restaurant. We enjoyed good food and conversation. Some of the group explored other parts of the city while a group visited the Goodhue County History Museum. The Museum has several rooms of Native American, Civil War, agriculture, milling industry and pottery exhibits, as well as a well stocked gift shop.
October 2009	To commemorate Halloween, our theme this month was about spirits, paranormal energies and ghosts. Jerry S. introduced Brent P. from the Washington County Historical Society, who told stories about the former Stillwater Warden's house and areas around our county. It seems that there are a few spirits that still roam the grounds of the old prison. Trudy inhabits the Warden's house, a trustee still shovels coal in the basement and another trustee still tends the carriage house and horses. He brought several books on the subject, one being, Ghost Stories of Minnesota. We heard two separate accounts of Legend of the Blue Light, very different of each other. Brent also told the story of the haunting of the Sabine mansion the former home of Senator Dwight Sabine owner of Northwestern Thresher Co. The house no longer stands, but had some interesting events happen there. Jerry S. read the dictionary meaning of "ghost." It seems his son bought a 100-year old house in which periodically a knocking could be heard. Renovating the four-plex, walls were moved and opened up. After one wall was opened, a note fell out saying, "Thanks for letting me out." After that, no knocking was ever heard again. Rich H. is a Civil War historian and has visited many battle fields. He wanted to visit a battlefield called Culp's Hill where his great-grandfather fought. With his rental-car, he visited the site, took pictures and when he was ready to leave, his car wouldn't start. A half an hour went by, he tried it again, but no luck. The third time it started and all the time he had the car it never failed to start again. Maybe his great-grandfather wanted him to stay a bit longer? As time went by, he was reading a book on battlefields and it seems three other people had the same experience with their cars.
November 2009	Our meeting this month was in honor of the Veterans that served in WWII. The collection of letters home, saved by former City Clerk Carl Bower, is part of our Society's resources. With 19.5% of our population or 215 residents in either the Military or other service to our country, our town represented a kind of an "information central" to demonstrate their wish to be of service to our veterans. The young men and women, called to serve their country, were too busy to keep in contact with all of their friends. Since almost all of the service people were from the same town and school, they were well acquainted and wanted to keep in touch with each other. In order to meet this situation in St. Paul Park, a Service Men's Committee was formed by George N. Pabst, Harold Goth, Charles Greene, Louis Koukal, Fred Nollet, Chris Olsen, Elmer Tvetene, Harold Tyler and Carl Bower. For 197 weeks, the Service Men's' Committee published letters sent home by service personnel in the Stillwater Gazette, our town's official newspaper. This began in April of 1942. A going away gift of a wallet, for the men, and a purse, for the women, was given to each service person along with a free subscription to the Stillwater Gazette. Carl kept a copy of all the letters sent home to be published. He was also the Secretary/Treasurer of the Committee. The first letter read was from Kenneth L. and was read by his son, Kenneth. The second letter read was from John O'Boyle and was read by Donna R. The third letter read was from Norbert Socha and was read by Gordy W. All readers told of the letter-writers' exploits in the war and after. Joe K. told of his father's service in a shipyard on the Minnesota River in Savage, MN.
December 2009	December is our annual meeting and election of officers (if needed) and two new board members. Judy S. presented the history/origin of Santa Claus for our program. Everyone brings a food item to be shared for our brunch and, of course, plenty of good conversation.
January 2010	Our meeting this month was presented by Robert Gabrick, author of "Going the Greyhound Way-The Romance of the Road". It all began in Hibbing, MN with a 1914 Hupmobile. Carl Wickman and Andy (Bus Andy) Anderson transported iron ore miners from Hibbing to Alice. The town of Alice sat on a large iron ore deposit and was moved to and incorporated into Hibbing. In 1915, Wickman joined forces with Ralph Bogan, who was running a similar service from Hibbing to Duluth. They renamed their company the Mesaba Transportation Co. Through the years, they took over other small bus companies and in 1926 renamed their enterprise Greyhound Lines. Greyhound suffered during the Great Depression, and by 1931 was over $1 million in debt. However, with the improvement in the economy, the Greyhound Corporation began to prosper again. In 1935, Wickman was able to announce record profits of $8 million. By the outbreak of World War II the company had 4,750 stations and nearly 10,000 employees. Robert talked about the advertising ideology for Greyhound Lines. The theme was "The Romance of the Road" and how the public needed to travel. Promotions aimed at women teachers for traveling on summer vacation were prevalent. Greyhound began publishing The Highway Traveler, largely a magazine advert for the company. In 1935, General Motors redesigned the bus by placing the engine in the rear and luggage in a bottom compartment under the seats. On the road, the bus would stop every two hours for food, fuel and toilet breaks. In 1940, the bus was again redesigned to the "Silverside" look as it is today. During WWII, advertising changed to depicting soldiers and bus transportation. In 1949, bi-level busses were introduced. Motorcoach, Inc., a subsidiary of Greyhound, began building their own coaches in 1963. By 1980, bus ridership declined due largely to people wanting to drive their own cars on the freeway system and the speed of travel afforded by the airlines. The question was asked, by Greyhound, "Who needs us?". The answer came back, "Nobody." This was, truly, the end of an era.
February 2010	Our guest speaker this month was Carolyn Phelps, Director of the Historic Courthouse in Stillwater. She opened her address with a DVD presentation of the Historic Courthouse. The story of the courthouse is located here. She, next, spoke of previous sheriffs, then focused on this month's topic; Sheriff Rueben Granquist. Born in Stillwater, in 1900, Rueben lost his father when he was a young child. His mother moved the family to St. Paul. Although Rueben had only an eighth-grade education he became a Game Warden for Ramsey and part of Washington counties. He was a true conservationist and visited area schools to show movies that promoted conservation. Married wife, Gladys and had two sons, Bob and Don. He ran for Washington County Sheriff and was elected in 1943. He would go on for six more terms. When first elected, the Granquist family moved into quarters in the courthouse where Gladys cooked and did laundry for both her family and inmates. With three meals a day for about 20 people, her free time was short. Hers was an unpaid position until the late 1950's when the State Legislature passed a statute paying county sheriffs' wives for their services. Gladys was officially a deputy, complete with I.D. card and handcuffs. Rueben rarely wore a uniform or service pistol and every Christmas donned his Santa suit to make calls on anyone that would request a visit. Carolyn told us one of Rueben's sayings to illustrate what kind of a person he was. "Let the milk of human kindness run through your veins", sums up why everyone liked him. Rueben and Gladys had a farm in Scandia and when asked what color she wanted the buildings to be, she replied, "Pink." It was the only farm in Scandia with pink buildings. Carolyn brought many artifacts, including Gladys's handcuffs and the special purse she carried them in plus her I.D. card. A question and answer period followed.
March 2010	Our meeting, this month, was to be our version of "Antiques Roadshow." Unfortunately, our appraiser didn't show so we modified the program to a show and tell theme. Everyone who brought in an antique for appraisal was asked to tell the story and history, if any, to our group. We had many interesting pieces and the stories were interesting. Items presented were: WWI and WWII swords, a Gram-O-Phone, Swiss music box, cast iron toys, books, coins, unique ice cream scoops, a coffee grinder and butter press. Everyone enjoyed the program change and many memories were stirred by members.