Coming home

As you read this, Eileen and I should be on our way to pick up Ted in Litchfield after being deployed for 11 months, almost to the day.

I’m sure it will look just like reunions always do in the pictures, just like it did for us when he came home from Kosovo. Three or four buses loaded with soldiers coming along the highway, escorted by police, local well-wishers and some Patriot Guard. Streets lined with signs made by families and friends shouting messages of pride and love. Electrified wives, girlfriends, children, even a dog or two, standing in front of the red brick armory wall, fidgeting with clothes, nails and hair.

Where’s Morrill: An Anoka Cold Case

In order to take advantage of opportunities further west, George Morrill moved to Anoka in 1873 with his wife Olive (nee Caldwell) and daughter Eliza (Lida) Caldwell Morrill. He began a successful law practice, welcomed two more children, and served as Secretary for the Anoka Library Association for 1879 and as the Anoka County Attorney, 1877-1881 and 1885-1887. For all appearances, Morrill seemed a successful businessperson and happy family man in 1890--yet, he vanished never to be seen again. What happened to cause his sudden and mysterious disappearance?

Anoka County Fair: Home of the White Frost Fridge

Welcome to Anoka County Fair week and all the festivities that go along with the tradition of gathering together to celebrate agriculture, community, and the legacy of our area! You’ll find us at the historic farmhouse once again, chatting on the front porch and putting together a puzzle or two. Funny enough, one of the puzzles we usually solve for visitors is just what is that thing in the corner?

Soil and Sunshine Garden Club has rich history

Ours is the greatest garden club in America! Okay, maybe that's a stretch, but we like our club. Why you ask? Gardening is a great way to reconnect with nature in this digital age. It's good for your mental health and acts as a stress reliever after a busy day. I enjoy growing and eating my own food in the vegetable garden, while the flowers are pleasing to the eye and the soul—and provide a habitat for our pollinators.

Columbia Heights Garden Club

Whether we look to the Garden of Eden, the paradise garden of Darius the Great, or the Zen garden form featured at temples, people have always adapted and tamed the foliage around them in one manner or another. Enclosed gardens emerged about 10,000 BC and the idea of landscaping moved from Western Asia and eventually spread westward into Greece, Spain, Germany, France, and Britain.

50 years ago, turmoil; today, an anniversary

In 1969 our nation was in crisis. Anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, race riots and assassinations dominated national headlines while the city of Anoka had a dam problem.

1939 tornado left mark on Anoka

The tornado that struck Anoka on June 18, 1939, left a lasting impression in its wake. Although the damage is long since cleaned up, repaired, or covered over, the effects of the storm continue in ways we might be less familiar with today, 80 years later.

The Weber files: Part 3

Previously, we looked at the story of the Weber family, who emigrated from Austria-Hungary in the 1860s and settled down to farm near Centerville. Their farm, started by Joseph Weber and his wife Annie, was passed down to their son Leonard and his wife Mary, and then to their son Donald.

Herald ColumnsAnoka County Historical SocietyJune 14, 2019weber, centerville, local farm

The Weber files: Part 2

Last week we began a three-part series about the Weber Family Collection at ACHS. This week, we’ll look at some more records that are part of that collection.

The Weber farm was handed down through three generations of the family. Some of the legal documents that trace these ownership transfers tell us another interesting story as well: How did older people plan for retirement in the years before nursing homes and assisted living facilities became common?

The Weber files: Part I

Collections of records from a single family are generally referred to in the preservation world as “family papers.” Family papers would include many actual pieces of paper (correspondence, household or business records, legal documents, etc.) but can also include photographs and, sometimes, three-dimensional artifacts as well. One such collection at the Anoka County Historical Society is one for the Weber family of the Centerville area.

The Farmers’ Hotel

Although the Jackson Hotel stands out as Anoka’s most famous hotel (and is one of the only extant historic hotel buildings in the city today), at one time the city on both sides of the Rum River boasted several places for travelers to lodge. One of these was the Farmers’ hotel, located on the northeast corner of Second Avenue and Jackson Street, facing Second Avenue.

Herald ColumnsAnoka County Historical SocietyMay 23, 2019farmers hotel, anoka, butler

Evolution of prom

April showers may bring May flowers, but they also bring celebratory groups of teenagers all dressed up in their finest to nearby restaurants. That’s right, it’s prom season once more.

Herald ColumnsAnoka County Historical SocietyMay 7, 2019prom, high school, spring

ACHS hosts Jell-O cook-off fundraiser Saturday, May 11

Herald ColumnsAnoka County Historical SocietyMay 7, 2019fundraiser, Jell-O, suburban era, thumb wrestling, art

Videos about Anoka County locations earn awards

Hennepin Technical College Video Production student Justin Ramey received a Crystal Pillar Award, which is part of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Upper Midwest Regional Emmys, for his production of “The Ticknor House Bed and Breakfast.”

12 days of cookies project

One fall day in 1996 while checking out at the grocery store, I saw a magazine article about “The 12 Days of Christmas Cookies.” Intrigued, I purchased the magazine and took it home to study. Twelve different recipes – that would be a challenge! And a learning opportunity – I never made meringues before.

Herald ColumnsAnoka County Historical SocietyApril 17, 2019cookie cutter, cow

Cookie stories and histories

I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts, well, cookies in this case, that when I say “grandma” you think “extra treats.”

The Great Blizzard

Bob Muscovitz recalled the storm of 1991 for the Anoka County Historical Society collections:

“Ouch! I was in plowing and cleaning sidewalks and most everything in a loader while Rick Wesp had the trackless sidewalk machine helping to open up a street for the police who took our four-wheel drive pickups.

Snow Through Time

History has a habit of repeating itself, especially in Minnesota. Through the years, Anoka County residents have survived the elements to call this area home, despite piles of white stuff towering in all directions.

Keeping Time With History: The Ansonia Clock Company

The Ansonia Clock Company, formed in 1851 and operated as a high-quality company until the 1920s, made the clock of this week.

Keeping Time With History: The OG and Seth Thomas Clocks

The third and final installment of the Anoka County Historical Society clock restoration series appears this week. Be sure to visit the museum and request a showing of these artifacts.

The first donation we will discuss is a Forestville OG style clock, which appears in a well-cared for, pristine state rarely found in clocks of this age.

Herald ColumnsAnoka County Historical SocietyFebruary 13, 2019clock, OG style, Seth Thomas, Zielin

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