*Note - This article appeared in the 2006 Chisago County Traveler published by the STAR newspaper.
by Tesha M. Christensen
STAR Assistant Editor
Spend a few hours seeing the countryside at a slower pace when you take a ride on the Osceola & St. Croix Valley train.
The experience begins as you step aboard, traversing the same path as others before. As the engines roar to life, sit back in your seat and relax. The vintage train travels through some of the most spectacular scenery in Minnesota, following the St. Croix River valley.
Along the way, glimpse herons patiently waiting for a fishy meal, and watch whitetail deer leaping through fields. If you time it right, you can peer out the windows and observe a sunset. If you keep your eyes open, you may spy an osprey, eagle, beer, turkey, turtle or even a fox.
The tracks follow the Sandstone bluffs on a path carved out in the 1800s by horse and buggy. Along the route is the Cedar River Draw Bridge, which opened up in years for steam boats chugging up and down the St. Croix.
As the wheels clackity-clack, wander to the rear car to discover how the train once carried mail from town to town. Watch volunteer catch mail on the fly and mail your own postcard.
A trip back in time
“It’s a trip back in time and away from the city,” reflected Pat Kytola, site administrator for the Osceola & St. Croix Valley train. “You’re so close, but you’re just out in nature.”
Friendly volunteer conductors are eager to answer questions about the history of the train and the area. They’ve been trained to meet Federal Railway Administration operating and safety standards, but that’s not what drives these volunteers. They’re passionate about train travel.
“You can’t find a better way of travel,” believes Kytola. “And our line is so spectacular. … It’s a good time for families.”
The last passenger trains wound through the Osceola depot in 1961. Fifteen years ago, the Osceola Historical Society and Minnesota Transportation Museum collaborated to bring back the romance of the rails. The line has always and continues to be used by freight trains.
The cars that make up the Osceola & St. Croix Valley train are of varying vintages, ranging from the 1920s to the 1950s. Passengers are encouraged to roam while they ride to see how train travel changed through the years.
Catch one of the trips scheduled regularly between April and October 29 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Make it a date with your significant other to rekindle the romance. Or, bring your children along to see a real life “Thomas the Train” in action. (Don’t miss the “Thomas” table in the depot.)
Regular and special excursions
The 20-mile Osceola to Marine on the St. Croix excursion is 90 minutes long; board at either 11 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. Cost for adults is $15, for seniors $13, for children $7 and for families $40.
Or, make the shorter 10-mile, 50-minute jaunt from Osceola to Dresser. The train leaves at 1 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $5 for children and $25 for families.
First class service comes with a snack and beverage aboard the A-11 open platform observation card on select days.
Special events are planned periodically. The next William O’Brien Naturalist trips are slated for July 2 and Sept. 3. Or, call for more information on the next National Park Ranger Guided trip and hear a park ranger speak about the natural beauty of the St. Croix Riverway.
Dinner/Pizza trains are scheduled for July 8 and 22, Aug. 5 and 19, and Sept. 9 and 23. For the early morning risers, take a brunch train available July 16 and 30, Aug. 13 and 27, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15. Box lunch Saturdays are planned for July 1 and 15, Aug. 12 and 26, and Sept. 2 and 16.
Bluegrass lovers will be sure to catch the Bluegrass Train on Sept. 16 when the Blue Drifters entertain all day.
This fall, carve out a day to ride the pumpkin train Oct. 21-22: riders get out at a pumpkin patch, take a hayride, pick a pumpkin and eat a delicious snack. Don’t want that much activity but still want to enjoy the gorgeous scenery? Take a leaf viewing trip on Oct. 7, 8, 14 or 15.
Book a St. Croix Valley Getaway for that special someone at any time throughout the season. For $249 per couple, enjoy your choice of brunch or dinner for two, and two of the following: Chateau St. Croix winery tour, Eric’s Bike Shop & Canoe rental, overnight stay for two at St. Croix Falls Holiday Inn Express or River Valley Inn and Suites, and meal at Adventures Restaurant or Village Pizzeria.
Bring a group along
To bring a group along to celebrate any special occasion – whether it be a birthday, anniversary, graduation, retirement or wedding – call 651-228-0263. “Our motto is, if you can think of it, we will try to make it special,” stated Kytola.
For more information on the St. Croix Valley train rides browse www.trainride.org or call 715-755-3570.
See the St. Croix Valley the way it was meant to be seen.
SIDEBAR
Something for everyone
FOR THE LEAF VIEWERS
Oct. 7, 8, 14, 14, 12:45 and 4:15 p.m.
FOR THE BLUEGRASS FANS
Bluegrass Train, Sept. 16, 11a.m. to 4 p.m., $35 all day, or reg. fare plus $5, pre-ordered box lunch/beverage available $8
FOR THE LOVERS
St. Croix Getaway, $249 per couple, your choice of brunch or dinner for two, and two of the following: Chateau St. Croix winery tour, Eric’s Bike Shop & Canoe rental, overnight stay for two at St. Croix Falls Holiday Inn Express or River Valley Inn and Suites, and meal at Adventures Restaurant or Village Pizzeria.
FOR THE NATURALISTS
• William O’Brien Naturalist Trip, July 2, Sept. 3
• National Park Ranger Guided Trips, dates to be announced
FOR THE KIDS
Pumpkin Train, Oct. 21-22, 10:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m., three-hour event, Adults $20, Children $12, four and under $5, ride on decorated cars, take a hayride, pick a pumpkin and get a treat
Reservations recommended; call 715-755-3570 or browse www.trainride.org
Showing posts with label Chisago County. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chisago County. Show all posts
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Chisago County 4-H grows from 78 youth in 1923 to over 1600 in 1999
* Note - This article appeared in the 2003 Chisago County Traveler published by the STAR newspaper.
by Tesha M. Wiedemann
Special Sections Editor
Last year, 4-H celebrated its 100th birthday. Here in Chisago County, 4-H has been a part of people’s lives since the 1920s.
In 1923, there were 78 boys and girls creating tomato, bread and corn projects. In 1999, over 1,600 youth in 15 clubs participated in 4-H, according to Extension Educator Barb Piehl.
“Learning responsibility, accepting the challenge, and meeting the requirements of their projects made them the responsible adults they are today,” stated long-time 4-H participant and leader Esther Schmidt. “These people make America a better place in which to live.”
Schmidt was a Chisago County 4-H agent during the 1940s and 1950s. At that time, Chisago County was covered by farms with few housing developments. Chisago County’s roots echo that of the nation’s, beginning with corn and grain projects for boys and extending from there into other produce, livestock, and home and health projects for not just boys, but girls, as well.
“4-H is a youth development program conducted jointly by the Department of Agriculture, the National 4-H Council, the state land grant university and county government,” wrote former Chisago County 4-H member Amy Lindahl in a school paper. “Concern over the drift of farm youth to the cities facilitated the growth of rural education programs.”
She pointed out that the term 4-H club was first seen in a federal document in 1918 in a bulletin written by Gertrude L. Warren. Between 1907 and 1908, O. H. Benson introduced the first draft of the three-leaf clover, signifying head, heart and hands. Three years later, O. B. Martin suggested that a four leaf clover be used instead, adding health to the list. The 4-H emblem was patented in 1924 when the first 4-H clubs were officially formed. throughout the country.
“Changes have altered the face of 4-H from its beginning purpose,” Lindahl noted. “With the drift of the rural population to the city, 4-H has evolved into the urban setting. The early mission of 4-H was to create more interest in agriculture… Through the change in membership, the 4-H motto has become ‘To make the best better’… The mission of 4-H is to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society.”
In 1924, 35 boys and nine girls were involved in dairy calf, pig, dairy and general livestock judging and bread making in Chisago County. As the numbers continued to increase, Chisago County decided to organize various clubs in 1934. Eleven clubs were formed that year: the Harris Boys Club, the Harris Girls Club, Sunnyside Club (District 40), Stark Club, District 61, Deadon Hustlers, District 60, District 27, Franconia, Almelund Club and Sunrise Club.
Of those, the Almelund All Stars (once called Up & At Its) and the Harris Golden Gophers (formerly Harris Boys and Harris Girls clubs) are still in existence today. Other clubs that are still active are Club of the Dalles in Taylors Falls (1936), Game Birds in Stacy (1939), Panola Rockets in Lindstrom (1942), North Star in Rush City (1945), Excelsior in Lindstrom (1946), Happy Hikers in North Branch (1946), Height Seekers in Chisago City (1952), Chargers in North Branch (1970), Wolves in Wyoming (1977), Sunshine in Center City (1978), Northern Lights in North Branch (1981), Explorers in Rush City (1987) and LIFT in Wyoming (1997).
The first Chisago County 4-H officers elected were Raymond Wikelius of Lindstrom as president, Leonard Noren of Chisago City as vice president, Verna Broecker of Lindstrom as secretary-treasurer and Esther Howard of North Branch as reporter.
During Schmidt’s 15-year tenure as a 4-H agent in the county, there were 23 clubs and 600 participants. “The 4-H program then, as now, strived for life enrichment for all youth,” Schmidt observed.
Members constantly gave demonstrations related to their special projects during monthly meetings and at both the county and state fairs. In the beginning years, 4-H clubs were school clubs. They were first active only during summer months, ending after the autumn fairs and starting again in the spring. While Schmidt was involved, the Meadow Larks were east of North Branch three miles, Willow Grove Club south of Rush City, the North Stars in Rush City and the Happy Hikers in North Branch.
Clothing had to be homemade, and cakes were made from scratch to exact specifications, remembers Schmidt. She recalls demonstration days at North Branch High School where pies and bread were on display and girls who had made their own clothes modeled them. There were 4-H Summer Club Tours at members’ homes. “Every day was interesting, no matter what,” she noted.
“Forestry was one of the big projects,” Schmidt added, as was the International Firm Youth Program. Several individuals from Greece (Anastatia Katsiksas), Iraq, Jordon (Essa Eberham), Korea (Jong Bin Lee) and Israel (Dr. Esther Gordan) visited Chisago County, staying in citizens’ homes. In turn, Chisago County residents Allen Croone went to Greece and Norma Gustafson to Denmark. Schmidt remembers that Croone later returned to Greece to teach.
Schmidt laughed remembering how the poor boy from Jordan was flabbergasted by the attention directed his way by girls. “I still get letters from them all,” Schmidt noted.
Judging was very strict in those days. “T.A. Erickson, the organizer of 4-H in Minnesota, established the integrity of 4-H,” remarked Schmidt.
Schmidt pointed out that the 4-H exhibits drew people to the county fair. A new building was constructed during her time as a 4-H agent so that 4-H members didn’t have to sleep in the barn with their animals. The dormitory occupied the top floor, and exhibits were housed in the main level.
Schmidt retired from 4-H in 1960, and was given a big goodbye party. She then obtained her master’s degree and began teaching at the community college in Cambridge. Looking back, she remembers constructing that new building at the fairgrounds in Rush City, 90 girls in the County Dress Revue in homemade garments and 4-H Summer Club trips in cars with no air conditioners. “How great for me that after 40 years, I am privileged to meet former member leaders and friends… Ah! It was the great life.” To those former members and leaders, Schmidt says, “Thanks for the great memories and keep up the good work.”
Many former members and leaders shared memories with the Chisago County Extension Office during the 2002 fair.
Karen Kennedy, a former Chisago County adult leader and childhood 4-H member in Meeker County, observed, “I have watched as competitors put aside competition to embrace each other and offer friendship. I have seen 4-Hers teaching each other, sharing their possessions and taking the ‘new kid’ under their wing. I have observed youth develop into mature young men and women. I am so proud of them and grateful to have known them.”
Joann Ploetz remembers winning a trip to the state fair when she was 10 by doing a ‘silent’ bread demonstration as a member of the Willow Grove 4-H Club in Rush City. Her children, too, became active 4-H members, and she was a leader and founder of the Northern Lights club. “4-H has been a part of my life and part of my children’s lives and we all owe so much to 4-H for what it has offered our family. Many of the skills that my children are known for can be traced back to their participation in 4-H…
“I do believe that at least one of my veins is green!”
Carolyn and Glen Holmstrom and Tim and Jenny Holt credit 4-H for their romances. “Without the help of 4-H we might never have met!” remarked the Holts, who were members of the same 4-H club as children. The Holmstroms met through 4-H at age nine.
“4-H has changed since my children were members, but I’ve noticed that the children haven’t,” noted Alice Waletzko, whose children belonged to the Almelund All Stars. “They still enjoy showing off their projects at the county fair – and a blue ribbon is still exciting!”
by Tesha M. Wiedemann
Special Sections Editor
Last year, 4-H celebrated its 100th birthday. Here in Chisago County, 4-H has been a part of people’s lives since the 1920s.
In 1923, there were 78 boys and girls creating tomato, bread and corn projects. In 1999, over 1,600 youth in 15 clubs participated in 4-H, according to Extension Educator Barb Piehl.
“Learning responsibility, accepting the challenge, and meeting the requirements of their projects made them the responsible adults they are today,” stated long-time 4-H participant and leader Esther Schmidt. “These people make America a better place in which to live.”
Schmidt was a Chisago County 4-H agent during the 1940s and 1950s. At that time, Chisago County was covered by farms with few housing developments. Chisago County’s roots echo that of the nation’s, beginning with corn and grain projects for boys and extending from there into other produce, livestock, and home and health projects for not just boys, but girls, as well.
“4-H is a youth development program conducted jointly by the Department of Agriculture, the National 4-H Council, the state land grant university and county government,” wrote former Chisago County 4-H member Amy Lindahl in a school paper. “Concern over the drift of farm youth to the cities facilitated the growth of rural education programs.”
She pointed out that the term 4-H club was first seen in a federal document in 1918 in a bulletin written by Gertrude L. Warren. Between 1907 and 1908, O. H. Benson introduced the first draft of the three-leaf clover, signifying head, heart and hands. Three years later, O. B. Martin suggested that a four leaf clover be used instead, adding health to the list. The 4-H emblem was patented in 1924 when the first 4-H clubs were officially formed. throughout the country.
“Changes have altered the face of 4-H from its beginning purpose,” Lindahl noted. “With the drift of the rural population to the city, 4-H has evolved into the urban setting. The early mission of 4-H was to create more interest in agriculture… Through the change in membership, the 4-H motto has become ‘To make the best better’… The mission of 4-H is to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society.”
In 1924, 35 boys and nine girls were involved in dairy calf, pig, dairy and general livestock judging and bread making in Chisago County. As the numbers continued to increase, Chisago County decided to organize various clubs in 1934. Eleven clubs were formed that year: the Harris Boys Club, the Harris Girls Club, Sunnyside Club (District 40), Stark Club, District 61, Deadon Hustlers, District 60, District 27, Franconia, Almelund Club and Sunrise Club.
Of those, the Almelund All Stars (once called Up & At Its) and the Harris Golden Gophers (formerly Harris Boys and Harris Girls clubs) are still in existence today. Other clubs that are still active are Club of the Dalles in Taylors Falls (1936), Game Birds in Stacy (1939), Panola Rockets in Lindstrom (1942), North Star in Rush City (1945), Excelsior in Lindstrom (1946), Happy Hikers in North Branch (1946), Height Seekers in Chisago City (1952), Chargers in North Branch (1970), Wolves in Wyoming (1977), Sunshine in Center City (1978), Northern Lights in North Branch (1981), Explorers in Rush City (1987) and LIFT in Wyoming (1997).
The first Chisago County 4-H officers elected were Raymond Wikelius of Lindstrom as president, Leonard Noren of Chisago City as vice president, Verna Broecker of Lindstrom as secretary-treasurer and Esther Howard of North Branch as reporter.
During Schmidt’s 15-year tenure as a 4-H agent in the county, there were 23 clubs and 600 participants. “The 4-H program then, as now, strived for life enrichment for all youth,” Schmidt observed.
Members constantly gave demonstrations related to their special projects during monthly meetings and at both the county and state fairs. In the beginning years, 4-H clubs were school clubs. They were first active only during summer months, ending after the autumn fairs and starting again in the spring. While Schmidt was involved, the Meadow Larks were east of North Branch three miles, Willow Grove Club south of Rush City, the North Stars in Rush City and the Happy Hikers in North Branch.
Clothing had to be homemade, and cakes were made from scratch to exact specifications, remembers Schmidt. She recalls demonstration days at North Branch High School where pies and bread were on display and girls who had made their own clothes modeled them. There were 4-H Summer Club Tours at members’ homes. “Every day was interesting, no matter what,” she noted.
“Forestry was one of the big projects,” Schmidt added, as was the International Firm Youth Program. Several individuals from Greece (Anastatia Katsiksas), Iraq, Jordon (Essa Eberham), Korea (Jong Bin Lee) and Israel (Dr. Esther Gordan) visited Chisago County, staying in citizens’ homes. In turn, Chisago County residents Allen Croone went to Greece and Norma Gustafson to Denmark. Schmidt remembers that Croone later returned to Greece to teach.
Schmidt laughed remembering how the poor boy from Jordan was flabbergasted by the attention directed his way by girls. “I still get letters from them all,” Schmidt noted.
Judging was very strict in those days. “T.A. Erickson, the organizer of 4-H in Minnesota, established the integrity of 4-H,” remarked Schmidt.
Schmidt pointed out that the 4-H exhibits drew people to the county fair. A new building was constructed during her time as a 4-H agent so that 4-H members didn’t have to sleep in the barn with their animals. The dormitory occupied the top floor, and exhibits were housed in the main level.
Schmidt retired from 4-H in 1960, and was given a big goodbye party. She then obtained her master’s degree and began teaching at the community college in Cambridge. Looking back, she remembers constructing that new building at the fairgrounds in Rush City, 90 girls in the County Dress Revue in homemade garments and 4-H Summer Club trips in cars with no air conditioners. “How great for me that after 40 years, I am privileged to meet former member leaders and friends… Ah! It was the great life.” To those former members and leaders, Schmidt says, “Thanks for the great memories and keep up the good work.”
Many former members and leaders shared memories with the Chisago County Extension Office during the 2002 fair.
Karen Kennedy, a former Chisago County adult leader and childhood 4-H member in Meeker County, observed, “I have watched as competitors put aside competition to embrace each other and offer friendship. I have seen 4-Hers teaching each other, sharing their possessions and taking the ‘new kid’ under their wing. I have observed youth develop into mature young men and women. I am so proud of them and grateful to have known them.”
Joann Ploetz remembers winning a trip to the state fair when she was 10 by doing a ‘silent’ bread demonstration as a member of the Willow Grove 4-H Club in Rush City. Her children, too, became active 4-H members, and she was a leader and founder of the Northern Lights club. “4-H has been a part of my life and part of my children’s lives and we all owe so much to 4-H for what it has offered our family. Many of the skills that my children are known for can be traced back to their participation in 4-H…
“I do believe that at least one of my veins is green!”
Carolyn and Glen Holmstrom and Tim and Jenny Holt credit 4-H for their romances. “Without the help of 4-H we might never have met!” remarked the Holts, who were members of the same 4-H club as children. The Holmstroms met through 4-H at age nine.
“4-H has changed since my children were members, but I’ve noticed that the children haven’t,” noted Alice Waletzko, whose children belonged to the Almelund All Stars. “They still enjoy showing off their projects at the county fair – and a blue ribbon is still exciting!”
When was the first Chisago County Fair held?
* Note - This article appeared in the 2003 Chisago County Traveler published by the STAR newspaper.
by Tesha M. Wiedemann
Special Sections Editor
Speculation abounds concerning exactly when the first Chisago County Fair was held.
According to the recently published “A History of Chisago County 1851 to 2001”, the first county fair was held in Rush City in September of 1872. However, local historian Max Malmquist, who has delved deeply into the history of North Branch while preparing to write a book, disagrees.
He points to a 1875 Chisago County (Rush City) Post article which refers to the fair in 1875 as the fourth annual fair held in North Branch Sept. 29 to 30. This is the earliest newspaper article regarding the fair, as the Rush City Post wasn’t established until 1875.
Several hundred people attended this fourth fair, which was entirely supported by local businessmen, “Yankee businessmen,” Malmquist emphasized. “The fairs were really a Yankee business venture instituted not only for celebration and fun, but with high hopes that people coming to the fair would spend money at local businesses. The fair was also an opportunity for people to buy and sell goods, including livestock.”
Malmquist continued, “One cannot appreciate the dominance of Yankees in running and participating in fair events until the names are reviewed. The officers for the agricultural society who organized the fair in 1875 were E.C. Ingalls, Dr. Wm. Bently, J. G. Ryder and J.C.A. Pickett. The winners of the horse races were Bates, Pingrey, McCutcheon and Ryan, and the winners of the baby contests were (all Mrs.) Robie, Wilcox, Brown, Wooleat, Smith, McClure, Starkweather and Chase.”
Malmquist explained that the Irish, English and Scottish Easterners who first settled in the area were businessmen who were “more culturally elite” than the poor Germans and Swedes who followed them.
Another force driving the fairs was a love of horse races. The Post mentions two French breeding stallions owned locally and purchased for $2,500 apiece, the current-day equivalent of $2 to $3 million. One of the pricey stallions was owned by Elliot Alex McCutcheon, North Branch Mayor, businessman and future owner of the first fairground property. People would come from as far away as St. Paul up to 12 days in advance of the fair in order to train their horses in preparation for the races. Horse races were also held on the Fourth of July and were later held bi-monthly.
Initially, the fair was organized by the Chisago and Pine Counties Agricultural Society. Isanti County residents were also invited to participate in early fairs. The ag society issued over 100 shares of stock, held regular meetings of stockholders, and assessed stockholders for money to build and repair fair buildings and to offer money premiums as fair prizes for contests and displays. Chisago County tax dollars did not fund the fair until the 1890s, and state agricultural society funds were not used until the mid 1880s.
Each fair adult attendee in 1875 was charged 50¢ and each child 15¢. The ag society took in $359.57 in receipts that year. The fair was typically three days in either September or October, although it was stretched to four days because of rain in 1881.
For the half-mile race in 1875, a $30 purse was available, divided into $15, $10 and $5 prizes, and for the mile there was a $40 purse. In 1881, there were four entries in the 100-yard little girls’ foot race. Miss ‘Lady’ House walked away with the 25¢ per entry purse.
In the 1870s there was no road stretching between Stacy and North Branch and North Branch and Rush City. However, the railroad was in place and the fairgrounds was located south of the station, where the present-day North Branch Municipal Golf Course is. In fact, the quarter-mile oval race track is visible today across the first and ninth golf course fairways.
Between 1875 and 1880, a 1,000-seat amphitheatre was constructed just inside the oval track, in addition to several other buildings used to house exhibits and merchandise. One year there were nine beer stands, Malmquist pointed out.
In addition to horse races, fair attendees could choose to participate in foot races and baby contests, see who could climb a greased pole fastest, and exhibit farm produce, livestock and crafts.
In 1884, a baseball field was built on the fairgrounds in North Branch, within site of the amphitheater, and baseball games were scheduled during the annual fair. McCutcheon became one of the leading players on the team.
In the summer of 1882, a strong wind storm damaged both the fair building and the amphitheater, but both were rebuilt in time for the September fair.
Much of the historical confusion circulating the fair stems from the fact that the event was moved several times in an attempt to earn more money. After losing money during the first five fairs, the agricultural society decided to hold the 1877 fair in Taylors Falls. Again suffering financially, the society voted to hold the next two fairs in Rush City, one of the largest towns in the county. It was moved back to North Branch from 1880 to 1886.
Adding to the confusion, the Post documents that additional fairs were held some years in both Rush City and Taylors Falls, Malmquist pointed out. “Rush City held its first fair in 1877 and tried to form its own society called the Rush City Agricultural Society.” Taylors Falls also held ancillary fairs, even creating the St. Croix Valley Agricultural Society. These additional fairs were not very successful. “There was a great deal of jealousy between the businessmen of each town,” Malmquist observed.
By 1887, most of the agricultural society members called Rush City their home, and when Rush City Post editor H.B. Robie quit the newspaper business and was elected ag society president, the fight to move the fair from North Branch to Rush City was won. There were several reasons for the move, in addition to the fact that Robie’s brother was a prominent businessman in Rush City.
First, the land that the ag society was using in North Branch was owned by Issac Bernheimer of New York City, who refused to sell the land and rented it on an annual basis to the ag society. Ag society members felt that constructing buildings on property that wasn’t either owned by the society or on a long-term lease was risky.
Also, the population in Rush City, Rusheba and Nessel was significantly larger than that of North Branch.
And so, the ag society approved jacking up the six or seven existing buildings in North Branch, sliding them to the railroad track and moving them to Rush City, where the society obtained a 10-year lease on land from the village, the land where the fair is still held today.
“There was great sadness and anger among many people in North Branch when the fair and its buildings were moved to Rush City,” noted Malmquist. In fact, North Branch businessmen tried to get a court injunction to stop the move. “It created ill will between the two cities,” Malmquist said.
In 1891, the Chisago and Pine Counties Agricultural Society disbanded and the Chisago County Agricultural Society took over control of the fair in Rush City. Malmquist surmises that the population in Pine County, which had originally been a part of Chisago County, got large enough to support a separate fair. Some historians point to 1891 as the first Chisago County Fair.
Prior to locating at the corner of Fourth Street (Highway 361) and Fairfield, the fair was briefly held in two other places in Rush City, south of County Road 7 at the Anderson property and southeast of town near where the roller rink is now, according to historian Carl Heinrich.
In addition to horse races and exhibits, airplane rides were given over the horse track in the 1930s and helicopter rides in the 1950s.
Thanks to Max Malmquist of North Branch for contributing to this article. Malmquist is currently writing, “North Branch Regional History: Connections, Reflections and Heritage,” from which much of this story is based.
by Tesha M. Wiedemann
Special Sections Editor
Speculation abounds concerning exactly when the first Chisago County Fair was held.
According to the recently published “A History of Chisago County 1851 to 2001”, the first county fair was held in Rush City in September of 1872. However, local historian Max Malmquist, who has delved deeply into the history of North Branch while preparing to write a book, disagrees.
He points to a 1875 Chisago County (Rush City) Post article which refers to the fair in 1875 as the fourth annual fair held in North Branch Sept. 29 to 30. This is the earliest newspaper article regarding the fair, as the Rush City Post wasn’t established until 1875.
Several hundred people attended this fourth fair, which was entirely supported by local businessmen, “Yankee businessmen,” Malmquist emphasized. “The fairs were really a Yankee business venture instituted not only for celebration and fun, but with high hopes that people coming to the fair would spend money at local businesses. The fair was also an opportunity for people to buy and sell goods, including livestock.”
Malmquist continued, “One cannot appreciate the dominance of Yankees in running and participating in fair events until the names are reviewed. The officers for the agricultural society who organized the fair in 1875 were E.C. Ingalls, Dr. Wm. Bently, J. G. Ryder and J.C.A. Pickett. The winners of the horse races were Bates, Pingrey, McCutcheon and Ryan, and the winners of the baby contests were (all Mrs.) Robie, Wilcox, Brown, Wooleat, Smith, McClure, Starkweather and Chase.”
Malmquist explained that the Irish, English and Scottish Easterners who first settled in the area were businessmen who were “more culturally elite” than the poor Germans and Swedes who followed them.
Another force driving the fairs was a love of horse races. The Post mentions two French breeding stallions owned locally and purchased for $2,500 apiece, the current-day equivalent of $2 to $3 million. One of the pricey stallions was owned by Elliot Alex McCutcheon, North Branch Mayor, businessman and future owner of the first fairground property. People would come from as far away as St. Paul up to 12 days in advance of the fair in order to train their horses in preparation for the races. Horse races were also held on the Fourth of July and were later held bi-monthly.
Initially, the fair was organized by the Chisago and Pine Counties Agricultural Society. Isanti County residents were also invited to participate in early fairs. The ag society issued over 100 shares of stock, held regular meetings of stockholders, and assessed stockholders for money to build and repair fair buildings and to offer money premiums as fair prizes for contests and displays. Chisago County tax dollars did not fund the fair until the 1890s, and state agricultural society funds were not used until the mid 1880s.
Each fair adult attendee in 1875 was charged 50¢ and each child 15¢. The ag society took in $359.57 in receipts that year. The fair was typically three days in either September or October, although it was stretched to four days because of rain in 1881.
For the half-mile race in 1875, a $30 purse was available, divided into $15, $10 and $5 prizes, and for the mile there was a $40 purse. In 1881, there were four entries in the 100-yard little girls’ foot race. Miss ‘Lady’ House walked away with the 25¢ per entry purse.
In the 1870s there was no road stretching between Stacy and North Branch and North Branch and Rush City. However, the railroad was in place and the fairgrounds was located south of the station, where the present-day North Branch Municipal Golf Course is. In fact, the quarter-mile oval race track is visible today across the first and ninth golf course fairways.
Between 1875 and 1880, a 1,000-seat amphitheatre was constructed just inside the oval track, in addition to several other buildings used to house exhibits and merchandise. One year there were nine beer stands, Malmquist pointed out.
In addition to horse races, fair attendees could choose to participate in foot races and baby contests, see who could climb a greased pole fastest, and exhibit farm produce, livestock and crafts.
In 1884, a baseball field was built on the fairgrounds in North Branch, within site of the amphitheater, and baseball games were scheduled during the annual fair. McCutcheon became one of the leading players on the team.
In the summer of 1882, a strong wind storm damaged both the fair building and the amphitheater, but both were rebuilt in time for the September fair.
Much of the historical confusion circulating the fair stems from the fact that the event was moved several times in an attempt to earn more money. After losing money during the first five fairs, the agricultural society decided to hold the 1877 fair in Taylors Falls. Again suffering financially, the society voted to hold the next two fairs in Rush City, one of the largest towns in the county. It was moved back to North Branch from 1880 to 1886.
Adding to the confusion, the Post documents that additional fairs were held some years in both Rush City and Taylors Falls, Malmquist pointed out. “Rush City held its first fair in 1877 and tried to form its own society called the Rush City Agricultural Society.” Taylors Falls also held ancillary fairs, even creating the St. Croix Valley Agricultural Society. These additional fairs were not very successful. “There was a great deal of jealousy between the businessmen of each town,” Malmquist observed.
By 1887, most of the agricultural society members called Rush City their home, and when Rush City Post editor H.B. Robie quit the newspaper business and was elected ag society president, the fight to move the fair from North Branch to Rush City was won. There were several reasons for the move, in addition to the fact that Robie’s brother was a prominent businessman in Rush City.
First, the land that the ag society was using in North Branch was owned by Issac Bernheimer of New York City, who refused to sell the land and rented it on an annual basis to the ag society. Ag society members felt that constructing buildings on property that wasn’t either owned by the society or on a long-term lease was risky.
Also, the population in Rush City, Rusheba and Nessel was significantly larger than that of North Branch.
And so, the ag society approved jacking up the six or seven existing buildings in North Branch, sliding them to the railroad track and moving them to Rush City, where the society obtained a 10-year lease on land from the village, the land where the fair is still held today.
“There was great sadness and anger among many people in North Branch when the fair and its buildings were moved to Rush City,” noted Malmquist. In fact, North Branch businessmen tried to get a court injunction to stop the move. “It created ill will between the two cities,” Malmquist said.
In 1891, the Chisago and Pine Counties Agricultural Society disbanded and the Chisago County Agricultural Society took over control of the fair in Rush City. Malmquist surmises that the population in Pine County, which had originally been a part of Chisago County, got large enough to support a separate fair. Some historians point to 1891 as the first Chisago County Fair.
Prior to locating at the corner of Fourth Street (Highway 361) and Fairfield, the fair was briefly held in two other places in Rush City, south of County Road 7 at the Anderson property and southeast of town near where the roller rink is now, according to historian Carl Heinrich.
In addition to horse races and exhibits, airplane rides were given over the horse track in the 1930s and helicopter rides in the 1950s.
Thanks to Max Malmquist of North Branch for contributing to this article. Malmquist is currently writing, “North Branch Regional History: Connections, Reflections and Heritage,” from which much of this story is based.
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