Looking Back: Plans for a ‘fifty-mile road’ from St.Paul to Owatonna were introduced in 1913

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25 years ago

From the Jan. 13, 1988

edition of the

Farmington Independent

Fire department holds dinner

The Farmington Fire Department held their annual meeting and dinner at the American Legion Friday, Jan. 8.

The department honored members who retired and presented the statistics on another busy year for the firemen in the area.

After the dinner which was attended by approximately 100 people, Fire Chief Ken Kuchera and Mayor Pat Akin presented Marjorie Drake with a picture of Reverend Drake in his firemen’s uniform. Reverend William Drake was a very active member of the department before he passed away last November.

The department also dedicated a memorial plaque in honor of Rev. Drake which will hang at the fire station.

The department also honored Don Hall, who is retiring after 20 years of service with the department. Hall received a plaque and a watch....

The Eagles Club, the American Legion, the VFW and the local chapter of the Lutheran Brotherhood were honored with certificates of appreciation for donations made during the year to the department.

50 years ago

From the Jan. 10, 1963

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

City hall is topic; all-year dog tie-up set

Mayor G.M. Gorgos of Farmington said the council had three major objectives in mind for 1963: 1. A zoning ordinance. 2. A comprehensive building code. 3. Revision of all village ordinances, bringing them up to date.

Also important on the city docket is a study of the city hall situation. Architect Joe Weichselbaum, Rochester, an alumnus of Farmington High School, and well known in central Dakota County, will be contracted for ideas and preliminary planning of a Farmington City Hall....

Gorgos has declared all branches of local government, streets, police, library, fire department, have been contacted and believe it should be all under one roof.

The mayor believes the building should be plain – no fancy courts and frills – giving the taxpayers as much building as possible, for the least possible expense....

At the Monday night meeting, it was get acquainted night for Councilman Elmer Brosseth, who replaced Newt Hauk. Other members of the council are Otis Church, Harry McElmury, Clerk Ken Gerten, and Mayor Gorgos.

John’s Furniture completes move to Town’s Edge

Jim Brederhorst has moved his John’s Furniture store from the McAndrew building to Town’s Edge Shopping Center.

No plans have been announced for the McAndrew building.

The store owner said he has 8,800 square feet on two floors in the Center.

Larger space, and the evening openings are the main reasons for moving to the center, the merchant said. New lines of furniture have also been added he declared.

The move was officially completed Monday, and a new neon sign marks the locations....

The council amended the dog ordinance, restricting dogs permanently. They must be tied up or on leash the year around. Theoretically, they have been tied up since last April.

Man, 79, carried from upstairs apartment fire

Matt Hagney, about 79, was taken to the Sanford Hospital Sunday night for observation after a minor fire which occurred in his apartment in the McHugh building in Farmington.

Smoke was heavy in the upper story of the building and Hagney was found in his apartment by members of the fire department. He was able to walk to the head of the stairs by himself, but was carried down the steps by member of the department, placed in an automobile and taken to the hospital for treatment.

The fire was apparently caused by a short in the wiring in Hagney’s apartment on the second floor about 5:30 p.m. The Farmington fire department responded and the fire was put out after only minor damage to a portion of the wall and ceiling had occurred....

McDermott gets railroad’s gold pass

Fellow crew members serving with Bob McDermott made him a presentation of a lifetime gold pass for the Milwaukee Road in an impromptu ceremony at the Farmington depot on January 8.

McDermott, a fireman for Milwaukee, completed 50 years of service on August 22 and has resided in or near Farmington for 49 years.

In addition to the pass which entitles him to travel on any Milwaukee train, the crew also presented a suitably decorated cake to McDermott.

75 years ago

From the Jan. 14, 1938

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Ed Becker leaps from falling tree in nick of time

An 18-foot jump from a falling tree, probably saved the life of Ed Becker, son of Mrs. O.N. Becker of Farmington.

The other day Ed was chopping down a large tree in his farm yard at the east edge of Farmington. Realizing the tree might fall onto the telephone wires, he climbed up into the tree, to tie a rope with which to guide the fall.

Suddenly the tree began to move. Ed leaped 18 feet to the ground. The huge tree crashed to the earth and missed Ed and the many telephone wires which pass near Farmington.

Local dancing students perform

Miss Carolyn Haugh, 10-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Al Haugh and Roger Howie, 14 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Howie, who are students of the Erhardt Bros. Theatrical School of Dancing, were chosen among the 15 best dancers from 75 students.

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