Looking back: Rural homes were connected to electricity for the first time in 1938

Talk about it

50 years ago

From the Feb. 21, 1963

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Board may make ‘clinic’ decision in meeting today

A meeting of the board of directors of Sanford Hospital, Inc., will be held on Wednesday, February 20.

One of the items of business at that time will be a further discussion of the dental-medical clinic which has been suggested as a possible adjunct to the planned Central Dakota Hospital. A decision may be reached at that time.

Many problems have arisen concerning the construction of such a clinic on the hospital grounds and considerable thought and study has been given the issue by members of the board.

If constructed, the building would not be done with hospital funds.

Downtown’s laundromat grand opening

The Farmington Laundromat will have a grand opening the week of February 25 through March 2, following remodeling and the addition of new equipment. The Laundromat which is operated by George Moberg, Northfield, and Arvid Rugroden, Cannon Falls, has recently been equipped with eight new Maytag washers, one washer-extractor combination, three stainless steel dryers, and two coin-operated dry cleaners to provide better service for its customers.

“A” ratings in speech event

Monday evening Farmington high school held its annual speech contest. Speakers receiving an “A” rating by the judges will advance to District 14 Competition on March 16.

The following students received “A” ratings: Serious Interpretation of Literature – Paul Lund, Carol Weiler, Jean Baker; Humorous Interpretation of Literature – Diane Empey, Gayle Bester, Sue Clark, Patty Iverson; Non-Original Oratory – Albert Sayers, Jerry Brandt; Story Telling – Barbara Tobias, Karen Tutewohl, Kathy Weflen, Connie Bonnell; Extemporaneous Reading – Molly Kauffman, Patty Church, Tim Hunter; Extemporaneous Speaking – Barbara Thomas.

Hockey interest grows, team has 27-23-4 record

The Farmington High School hockey team which was organized in 1959 by Coach Al Maki, and continues under his direction, has had a record over that period of time of 27 wins, 23 losses and four ties.

Two members of the original team, Bob Reihson and Jim Zimmer are still playing with the current team and are well up to the top of the team average....

Maynard Bell, who was part of the Hamline University team in 1962-63 and was one of the first 15 players at that university for the year....

Those who will leave the team are Mike Garvey, 1963 team captain; Bob Reihsen; and twins, Jim and Jerry Zimmer.

Returning for next year’s competition will be Bruce Bernu, goalie, is considered one of the best in Skyline league; Steve Empey and Bob Johnson, defense men; Jim Bell, Don Feely, Steve Martin, Ken Kuchera, Geoff McCoach, Joe Clay, Gene Delsen, John Kulstad, and Tim Garvey.

75 years ago

From the Feb. 25, 1938

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

First R.E.A. current turned on Monday

Monday was a “red letter” day for farmers of this county when electricity was turned on in a section of rural electrification lines south Farmington.

The electric switch was pulled by Harold Van Styke, president, and C.H. Gelder, project superintendent of the Dakota County Electric Co-Operative, in the presence of officers, directors and engineers of the county co-operative.

Energization of the lines Monday furnished “juice” to the following farmers:

Fred Peterson, George Bjodstrup, Mike Mickelson, S.N. Mickelson, Louis Johnson, A.A. Johnson, Leander Twidt, Carl Shirley, Axel Jensen, Louis Warweg, D.W. Burton, Charles Weisbrich, Shady Inn, Fred Ehlers, Fred Grove, Roy Harmer, J.W. Frame, Joe DeGross, Lyle Bogue, E.P. Ebeling, H.A. Batson, Louis Anderson, Matt Frame and Wm. G. Frame....

Castle Rock and Waterford will be lit up next week, followed by Greenvale.

An additional $25,000 allotment was announced Thursday of last week for Eagantown farmers.?The money will be used to build about 24 miles of additional lines, serving 80 customers.

In all, The Dakota County Electric Co-Operative will extend over 240 miles, serving 800 customers.

The energy is being furnished wholesale by the Northern States Power company, the electricity entering the REA lines at the substation at the west edge of Farmington. The REA transformers have been installed on the west side of the Northern States Power Co., sub-station.

Walks 4 miles to set fire to Albert Neumann barn

Fire believed to have been set by a “fire bug” threatened the barn at the Albert Neumann farm located five miles south of here on State Highway No. 218, late Sunday afternoon.

Shoe prints in the snow running to and from the farm indicated the fire bug walked two miles each way to set fire to the barn. The fire was extinguished by passersby and the Farmington Fire department before much damage was done....

Marvin Smith, who discovered the fire, saw fresh tracks in the snow when he arrived at the blazing barn. The prints in the snow – brand new rubbers or overshoes – wound through the yard but did not enter the barn. The tracks led to the west side of the barn and stopped at an open window where the fire setter apparently threw a match into the hay and straw.

From there the prints led west to the top of the hill. The space between the prints showed the man ran away from the scene of the fire. At the top of the hill he stopped, turned around to look at the fire and then raced west across the fields to the Milwaukee railroad tracks a mile away.

Wayne and Merrill Shellenbarger, son of Bert Shellenbarger, administrator of the Albert Neumann estate, trailed the man to the railroad tracks and followed the prints north to the viaduct east of the old George Stapf farm. Here they learned the man got into his auto, turned it around and drove east to the pavement where the trail was lost. The car had brand new tires, according to the prints in the snow.

The fire bug apparently parked his auto at the viaduct and took a shortcut through the fields to the Neumann farm. On his trip away from the fire he went a more round about way.

100 years ago

From the Feb. 21, 1913

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

The boost club

The commercial club organized here last week was formed for the purpose of going after every good thing that may be headed toward Farmington and everyone is urged to add their name on the list and help boost the cause along. The members will meet at the club, some twice a month, and talk over the welfare of the city and devise plans for the procedure in the way of public improvements, beautifying streets and any other matters of public interest.

They’re after us

Singular as it may seem neither of the big piano by the Dakota County Tribune nor Lakeville Leader have been accepted by any young lady as offered by these papers. There is a nice bunch of money in it for any newspaper that can get up enough interest to cause people to spend their money. The Tribune (this paper) cleaned up $2,800 in one of these contests several years ago and the cash helped fill a long-felt hungry spot about its belt line. But we are going to withdraw our offer as a bill has been introduced in the legislature making newspaper contests schemes unlawful, and should this become a law perhaps we would not only be getting ourself into trouble, but the girls as well, and ninety days in jail without the option of a fine would wring a whole lot of sweetness out of the coming spring time. We are not only going to “get under cover” but advise any of the girls who were contemplating getting into our contest to run for their life.

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