Looking back: 97th Dakota County ‘Free’ Fair was ready to open 50 years ago
Gasoline stove explosion caused a large fire downtown Farmington 100 years ago. Read on to see what else happened this week in Farmington's past.By: Michelle Leonard, The Farmington Independent
50 years ago
From the Aug. 2, 1962
edition of the
Farmington Independent
Central Dakota Hospital campaign to begin
The Central Dakota Hospital Building Fund campaign to provide funds for a new hospital to meet the growing needs of the Sanford Hospital service area is being launched immediately in order to qualify this area for federal funds which are available for up to 45 percent of the total hospital building costs.
This financial assistance is available to this area if we are able to provide the balance funds needed by September 15, 1962. Top priority for this area is given because of the outdated and undersized facilities now available in comparison to communities elsewhere in the state.
Seven townships are included in the hospital service area where citizens look to this geographic location of their hospital needs. They are: Lebanon, Rosemount, Lakeville, Empire, Eureka, Castle Rock and Hampton.
The Sanford Hospital Board of Directors unanimously voted to begin the campaign to be called the Central Dakota Hospital Building Fund immediately after much research and study through which the new hospital proved to provide continuing hospital facilities to the area.
Storm-repaired, 97th ‘free’ fair
Lots of fun and a little learn’en is in store for the little folks attending the 97th annual Dakota County Free Fair that starts on Wednesday, August 8, and continues through August 12, at Farmington.
Considerable repair work made necessary by the recent wind storm is being done on several of the buildings, along with the construction of the new steel building 40’ by 120’ that will provide additional housing for cattle….
There will be exhibits by 1,253 4-H members carrying 3,802 projects that include livestock, poultry, agronomy, forestry, soil conservation, electrification, entamology, home economics, rural arts, health, safety and photography. As of today, 678 head of livestock will be shown by 4-H members and open class exhibitors….
A gigantic Style Show with all its pomp and glory, plus added entertainment will take place on Friday, 8 p.m. in front of the grandstand. Nearly 200 girls will be participating in the show. The coronation of the Queen of the Furrow will follow the Style Show with Governor Elmer L. Anderson participating in the coronation….
“Shooting the Works” is really “it” as fairgoers have an opportunity to see the spectacular fireworks that will take place in front of the grandstand at 10 p.m. on Friday following the Style Show and coronation of the Queen of The Furrow.
Dalaska dumping sit
Farmington’s new dumping site (is) in the woods, half a mile south of Empire. Henry Dalaska, owner, who says there will be classified-load dumping, and refuse will be well taken care of. Other “assistants” … were Frank Kasel Jr., Melvin Bauer, Tommy Kasel, and Frank “Sparky” Kasel. Henry said the top part will be used when the ground is wet. The back area, where trees have been fallen, will be dozed off and used for dumping when the weather is dry. The three different zones will be for wire, tin cans and for garbage.
The city of Farmington (also Vermillion Township), have contracts for Dalaska for municipal dumping. However, anyone wishing to do private dumping can do it only Saturdays, and Dalaska will be present to direct traffic. A charge of 25 cents up to $1 (huge truckloads $5) will be made depending on size and content of the refuse. The average trailer load will be about 25 cents, Dalaska said. The old dump in Castle Rock Township, formerly used by the village of Farmington (and practically everyone else within the four townships), is being closed.
75 years ago
From the August 6, 1937
edition of the
Dakota County Tribune
Two soaking rains save corn crop, end dry spell
Credited with having definitely saved the corn crop and thoroughly refreshing other late plantings, the 2.75 inches of rainfall in the Farmington area and throughout Dakota county Monday and Tuesday mornings brought to an end a six-week drought period that seriously threatened all late crops by drenching parched farm lands with moisture in two days than was received here the entire month of July.
County agent H.L. Lawrenz stated Wednesday that the two heavy downpours came just in time to be appropriately labeled “life savers” for the corn, potato, and all other vegetable crops in addition to reviving scorched pasture lands and materially benefitting late plantings of alfalfa and clover.
Bell, telegraph operator retires after 44 years
After 44 years of faithful service as a railway telegraph operator, Wm. Bell of Farmington retired on a pension last week. He expects to reside here for a while, spending the cold months in the west. His successor has not yet been named.
Born in Iowa 68 years ago next month, Mr. Bell has been in the employ for several railroads, including the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy eight years, The Missouri Pacific seven years and the balance of time with the Milwaukee railroad. He has been in Farmington for about 20 years.
Count 15 threshing rigs in operation
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Markman of Farmington counted 15 threshing rigs in operation Saturday during a trip through the south part of the county. From conversation with threshers and farmers Joe estimates grain yields as follows: Rye 20 to 40 bushels to the acre. Winter wheat - 25 to 30 bushels to the acre. Oats and Barley will average about 40 bushels. Rye and winter wheat are good while oats and barley are light.
100 years ago
From the August 2, 1912
edition of the
Dakota County Tribune
Another big blaze
The explosion of a gasoline stove started a fire in the second stove of the Nixon block Tuesday morning about 10 o’clock, which for the time threatened the entire block.
Mrs. P.L. Clarity, who lives in that part of the building, is getting ready to do some ironing had put a flatiron on the stove and gone into the adjoining room to write a letter while the iron was heating, She was there but a few minutes when she heard an explosion, and hastening into the room found everything in flames….
The chemical engine was soon in action and a few minutes later the steamer had two more streams going from the hall….
It wast thought the building was doomed and the work of saving goods was commenced. More than a hundred men and women worked faithful and nearly all the goods were taken out.
Fire Chief Whittier had his men well in hand and every effort was effective. The building was flooded and fire brought under control.
Girl with torch
Lottie Eberhart, the 12-year-old girl who set fire to E. N. Kraft’s property nine times last week, was taken before Judge Gray and given a preliminary hearing for arson....
The probability is that she will be sent to the state training school for girls at Sauk Center.
The opinion of the writer is that the girl did not intend to do any harm in setting the fire to the property. We imagine she thought things were “dragging along to slow” and she was after a little excitement, but she carried it too far and was caught….
Whenever Miss Kraft was out of hearing she would call up the neighbors and changing her voice would say: “I belong to the gang, and you had better look out; tonight at 9 o’ clock your house will be burned,” and other similar threats….
We understand the little girl’s mother is dead and is very likely had poor raising. We don’t believe she realized the enormity of her crime. The environments of her life had been such that which seemed playful to her was her crime in the sight of law.
Tags: community, farmington, news
More from around the web
RSS Feeds