Looking back: Farmington geared up for Ridiculous Days 50 years ago

Talk about it

10 years ago

From the July 26, 2001

edition of the

Farmington Independent

City hires administrator

After five months of searching, the City of Farmington has a new city administrator. the Farmington City Council voted last week to hire Edward Shukle, one of five finalists who council members interviewed Tuesday and Wednesday of this week....

Shukle has a history of getting involved in the communities where he works. He joined several community organizations in both Benson and Mound and played a part in organizing community festivals in Benson, and he plans to do the same in Farmington....

Shukle agreed on Monday to the terms of a contract. Those terms will not be made public until the contract is approved by the council on Aug. 6, but the position was advertised with a salary range of $75,000 to $83,000. Shukle expects to start work in Farmington on Sept. 4.

50 years ago

From the July 27, 1961

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Huge turkey ranch, Empire, being built

Mrs. V.S. Bohan of Empire sold 40 acres of her farm in Vermillion township, Hwy. 52-56 to Genevieve Stokes, manager-owner of Ranch 52 Corporation who are in the turkey raising business on a large scale. This corporation has several ranches but the one at Empire is to be the largest.

Two huge turkey barns size, 76x307 ft., are now being constructed on the banks of the Vermillion river, just north of intersection of Hwy. 52 and Co. Rd. 6 (on Hwy. 52) These barns will be completed next week and operations will start early this fall.

New veterinarian begins practice at Farmington

Dr. R.A. Nordine, young veterinarian, a graduate of the University of Minnesota June 10 of this year, will begin a practice in the community August 1st. He is located at 900 Eighth St., Farmington.

He resides here with his wife Lynn and they have two small children....

Dr. Nordine’s practice will include small and large animals.

Sheet metal strike delays air center here

Farmington’s Federal Aviation Agency Air Control Center was virtually at a standstill this week because of the continued strike of the sheet metal workers who are installing the air conditioning.

There were no banners or pickets at the local center for the past two months, but the effect has certainly been strongly felt....

Officials at the center say they are working “around” the installation of the air conditioning and sheet metal, but the work is gradually coming to a halt....

If the sheet metal strike is settled this week, it will still be September before the delayed job would be finished. If the strike continues, the job will be delayed that much longer. The job was originally to be completed in May of 1961.

Wild bargains, crazy stunts all set for Ridiculous Days

There’s a strong possibility there will be pennies from heaven for Ridiculous Days.

There’s a stronger possibility there will be things more valuable than pennies, floating down from the skies for the Ridiculous two-day, street-sale event, here Friday and Saturday of this week....

In addition to the throw-away money program, there are supposed to be balloons floating down containing gift certificates redeemable at Farmington stores.

Another crazy stunt is that Farmington merchants dressed in the most unpredictable of costumes, will move to the sidewalks to sell their wares at ridiculously low prices....

Some of the hottest bargains in the history of Farmington are being offered in this paper. For example, where in the world of high prices today can you get a work sock for a nickel? Try Farmington on Ridiculous Days.

Topping Friday’s busy schedule is the record hop, which begins at 9 p.m. when the stores between Lisle’s and Anthony’s toward the depot.

On Saturday, the merchants will still be dressed up and bring out their street bargains. The kiddie parade will take place at 10 a.m. starting at the Ford garage....

Crazy costumes, zany stunts and plain honest-to-goodness bargains are just a few of the highlights, Duane Parker, Commercial club president, announced that the Farmington Commercial club will award over $65 in script money to winners of the different contests. Those entering the contests have only to register at the Commercial Club booth, located on Lisle’s corner.

75 years ago

From the July 31, 1936

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Twin girls born 20 hours apart; weigh 20 pounds

Twin girls were born this week 20 hours apart, tipping the scales at a combined weight of 20 pounds, believe it or not. Mr. and Mrs. Ernest DeMuth of Farmington are the parents.

Dr. G.F. Walter said the first girl was born at 6:30, July 28, weighing 9 pounds, and the second girl ws born at 2:00 p.m. the next day weighing 11 pounds. Mrs. Robert Alich is the nurse in charge.

The twins have been named Joyce and Janet. The DeMuths now have 10 daughters and two sons.

R.G. Riggs, band teacher leaves here

R.G. Riggs, band instructor and junior high school teacher at the Farmington school, left Saturday for his home in St. Cloud after completing the school band concerts this summer.

In September Mr. Riggs will go to Thief River Falls where he has accepted a position as band instructor in the high school....

He built up one of the finest school bands to be found anywhere. There are about 60 members in the first band and about half that number in the second band. Mr. Riggs struggled through many difficulties, one of which was the problem of obtaining instruments. The school furnished a couple hundred dollars worth and Mr. Riggs also supplied several instruments.

Local property

valuation placed

at $1,180,791

The total true valuation of Farmington, both personal property and real estate, is $1,180,791 for 1936, it was announced today by Assessor Jack Heinen. The assessed valuation is $385,438....

A few changes in Assessor Heinen’s figures were made by the local board of review. The figures now go before the Dakota County Board of Equalization.

100 years ago

From the July 28, 1911

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Hold up

Saturday morning two transients who were in the railroad yards on the H & D here were approached by a third man who pulled a gun on them and told them to throw up their hands. This they did and the hold up artist searched both and took all the money they had. After taking their money he ordered them into a car which he locked. After being set free by one of the men employed by the yards they notified the police here and an immediate search was commenced. This proved to no avail and as there was a freight train leaving the city shortly after the held up it is more than probable that the man made his escape on this. At the time of the robbery he wore a yellow shirt, red tie, black derby hat and a dark pair of trousers.

Gun stolen

Saturday morning Jas. McAndrews had a new automatic revolver stolen from him at the livery barn. Jim had come to work about 7:30 and had his revolver with him instead of carrying it around he placed it in a drawer of the desk. Jim then made a trip with the auto and Dick was at the barber shop for about twenty minutes, this being the only time either was away from the barn. On returning from his trip Jim immediately looked for the gun but noticed it was missing. Thinking some of the boys had taken it for a jest said nothing about it. In the afternoon he asked the boys if any of them had taken it and was somewhat surprised on finding that none of them had. It was then too late to make a search for it and as a result Jim is out a beautiful $25 gun.

Tags: community, farmington, history