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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-08 PACKET 08.IsAp- Ir4 • R w all im- r113i�C AJ i 11 f Volume 47, Issue 1 Washington County, Minnesota April 2021 The 1917 Washington County Patriotic League Immigrants targeted! Civil liberties suspended! Attack on democratic principles! It couldn't happen here ... or could it? Note. Much of this article is taken from Bob Goodman's story in A History of Washington County: Gateway to Minnesota History. Additional material was supplied by !Nancy Goodman and Tom Armstrong. IN THE DAYS LEADING Up to the United States' entry into World War I, many people became intolerant of those who were against the war. They questioned the loyalty of Ger- man -Americans, Swedish -Americans, trade unions, farmer cooperatives, and "socialists." Many people opposed this country's entry into World War I and a military draft to raise troops. Immigrants, German -Americans in particular, were incensed at being called up to fight their own cousins in Eu- rope. Minnesota State Senator George Sullivan of Stillwater, whose district included all of Washington County, intro- duced a bill in the Minnesota Legislature establishing the notorious Minnesota Commission of Public Safety (MCPS). In This Issue ... . _ . we learn how Washington County responded to fear of foreign immigrants in the early days of World War 1, and we enjoy a 1830s roam trip .. plus, news of the organization... Executive Director's Report and Happenings p. 2 WCHS Annual Report p. 5 A Road Trip in the 1930s p. 9 Meet Your Board of Directors P. 10 Chinese Laundries in Stillwater P. 11 R. A. "Colonel Bob" Wilkinson, a Lake Elmo farmer, was the leadingforce behind the Washington County Patriotic (or Protective) League during World War L A seven -member commission was to be given broad powers to act to ensure public safety in wartime and root out spies and saboteurs. Labor unions and farmer alliances, such as the Non -Partisan League, were also targeted as un- American and unpatriotic. A second Sullivan bill made it illegal to "interfere with or discourage" enlistment in the military. LEAGUE —CONTINUED oNPAGE 6 Board & Staff Washington County Historical Society Board David Lindsey President Ryan Collins Vice President Joe Otte Recording Secretary Tom Simonet Treasurer From the Executive Director Spring has sprung, and we are looking forward to the day when the pandemic is over and our museums can open once again. As of now they are still closed because of the CDVID restrictions — but we don't usually open until May anyway. This has given us some time to work on a few small but important projects at both the Warden's House and Hay Lake School. At the Warden's House, we have fixed and resupported the front porch, rehung some of the historic lighting, and overhauled the security system. At Hay Lake, a rotted floor in the closet next to the bathrooms has finally been fixed, and the spigot has been replaced. Our displays have been refreshed at all the museum sites and we are looking for - Myron Anderson Director ward to when our new Heritage Center building opens later this year, with all new sto- ries to tell about Washington County history. There will be more on the grand opening Holly Fitzenberger Director in future issues of the Whisperings. Sheila Hause Director Karlene McComb Director Angie Noyes Director Becky Pung Director Michael Wilhelmi Director Stab' Brent Peterson Executive Director Open Warden's House Manager Open Hay Lake Museum Manager Chairs Open Endowment Fund Chair Nancy Goodman Newsletter Editor Historical Whisperings is published quarterly by the Washington County Historical Societv, 1862 S. Greeley Street., Stillwater, MN 55082. Website: www.wchsmn.org Phone: 651-439-5956. For information about stories and newsletter articles, contact editor@wchsmn.org For information about events and collections, contact information@wchsmn.org To book a museum tour phone 651-439-5956 The Heritage Center renovations are going well. Some bumps in the road included some asbestos abatement, sprinkler system replacement, and two of the rooftop HVAC units that needed replacement. All of these "bumps" have bumped up the cost of the project — and we will have to take out a line of credit at one of our banks to make sure the project is completed. We will not have to do this if we can raise the funds to cover those costs-- so if you can spare your virus check from the government, the WCHS capital fund would be a great place to donate that. Thank you all for your membership. This has been a crazy year — I hope to see you back at our events and in our museums once we open up again. Brent T. Peterson, WCHS Executive Director Happenings at WC HS ... Base Ball, Balloons, and Ice Cream Mix in January! Stillwater's Lowell Park was the place to get free ice cream cones, root beer floats, and hot coffee on Saturday aftemoon, January 30. And more than 1,000 people came to get their treats. They were also entertained by a vintage base ball player and the launching of a hot-air balloon on the St. Croix. Who says you can't have an Ice Cream Social in January! Leo's Malt Shop supplied the ice cream and reported handing out over a thousand cones. Stillwater's Dai- ly Grind supplied the coffee, and Johnny's TV did the audio system. Our thanks to all the sponsors! Patrick "Portsider"Pfundstein dressed in vintage base ball outfit to advertise the WCHS St. Croixs' championship team. Above, Cory Buettner, owner of Leo's Malt Shop, and Stillwater Police Chief Brian Mueller enjoyed the event. 2 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS WCHS Holds Annual Meeting By Zoom on March 25 For the first time in history, the Washing- ton County Historical Society 2020 Annual Meeting was held remotely via Zoom. It was brief, having presentation of the minutes from last year and the treasurer's report. Both were approved. Three directors were elected to fill three-year terms on the WCHS Board of Directors. All were current board mem- bers who elected to rerun. No other candi- dates were offered. Reelected to another term were directors Tom Simonet (current treasurer), David S. Lindsey (current chair), and Sheila Hause. WCHS Will Be Hiring The prolonged pandemic has caused our museum site managers to move on, so we are looking for new site managers for the Hay Lake School/Erickson Log House museums and the Warden's House. We will also be looking for someone to manage the new Heritage Center, although the title and salary for that position have not yet been deter- mined. We expect all sites to be open in the fall, but much depends on the pan- demic. If you know someone who might like to qualify for one of these positions, contact Brent Peterson at 651-439-3094 or email brent.peterson@wchsmn.org. WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORY Calendar of Events Repairs at the WCHS Museums If and when we are able to open our museums, at least the rotten floor in the Hay Lake School rest room closet will hold up. Water leaks over the years destroyed the wood floor under the water tank. Olsen Construction did the job. At the Warden's House we had a couple of projects: refurbishing some historic light fixtures and updating the security system. Keeping up our museum buildings and artifacts is a never-ending and costly job. We are grateful that even though the museums have not been open for a year, we have received donations from members and operating grants from foundations that allow us to store artifacts safely, make repairs, and keep the heat on. Thanks to everyone who has included a donation with their membership. You shop. Ammon donates When you shop Amazon Smile, the foundation donates 0.5% of the price of your eli- gible purchases to the nonprofit of your choice. Simply visit smile.amazon.com, choose Washington County Historical Society Stillwater MN as your charity (be sure it's the Stillwater one), and begin shopping. There is no difference in price or goods, and no charge to you. Bookmark Amazon Smile so whenever you shop, you help support WCHS. Do You Have a 9-11 Story? The Minnesota Military Museum at Camp Ripley (Little Falls, Minnesota) is collecting stories for the Post-9-11 Project, a statewide initiative to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks. The goal of the project is to look at the impact of the horrific events of that day through a Minnesota lens. What was your or your family's response to the attacks? Do you know someone who served in the Global War on Terror? Did your community hold any commemorative events? You can share your personal story on the Military Museum website at www.mnmilitarymuseum.org/ exhibits/test-gallery/share-your-story or send it to WCHS at 1862 S. Greeley St., Stillwater, MN 55082. Note: Most events have been cancelled or postpone by all Washington County history organizations for the foreseeable future. Please contact the sponsoring organization for updated information about these events and about when they might reopen: Gammelghrden 651-433-5053; Afton Historical Society 651- 436-3500, Historic Courthouse 651-275-7075; South Washington Heritage Society (SWHS) 651-459-7950, Washington County Historical Society (WCHS) 651-439- 5956; Denmark Township Historical Society (DTHS) 651- 366-9853; Saturdays May 1 & June 5-Nooks and Crannies guided tour at Historic Courthouse, Stillwater, 11 Am. Limit 6, reservations re- quired' $10 person. Saturdays --Guided tours of Historic Courthouse at 1 plot by reser- vation only; no large tours. Historic Courthouse, Stillwater. Call 651-275-7075 to reserve. Free. Sundays June 13 & 27—Woodbury Heritage Society Heritage House Open House from 14 pm. Small groups, masks and so- cial distancing required. Please note: may be temporarily closed due to an influx of COVID. Please note: WCHS museums and research center will be closed until further notice. APRIL 2021 3 The Little Doll House That Could — and Did — Fulfill Its Creator's Wishes! This extraordinary dollhouse was donated to the Washington County Historical Society in order to fulfill the wishes of the creator of this little masterpiece, LaVonne Derousseau. Her longtime friend, Sandra Witte, donated it along with a note saying that LaVonne had passed on and her wish was that her dollhouse would benefit a local charity. Realtor Linda Besk saw it while attending the WCHS fundraiser. She thought they could raise more money if it was auctioned through EBay. Linda bought it and put it up on EBay for auction, also posting it on Facebook. Enter Lyndi Limborg and her sister, Kali Higgins. They saw the posting and recognized it as their godmother La- Vonne's dollhouse. They im- mediately decided that it should be back in the family and should be given to their mother, who was LaVonne's best friend. The bidding on EBay was furious, with seconds Membership Report The Washington County Historical Society welcomes new and renewing sustaining, patron, familiy and individual annual members listed here. And special thanks to those of you who added a donation to your membership check. WCHS truly ap- preciates your support. Remember, annual memberships are due January 1 each year. To check on your status call 651439-5956 or email <inforrnation@wchsmn.org>. New and Renewinu Sustaining Members Nancy & Dale Anderson * John & Kelly Brand * Justin Brink * Sheila & Chris House * Nanette Hoffman * Gloria & Bud Hummel * Andrew & Karen Kramer * Betsy McDonnell Doug & Mary Louise Menikheim * Fred & Mickey Ncher Joe Otte * David & Donna Spencer * Jim Thommes * Sheri Yasuna New and Renewing PatronMembers James Anderson * Tim & Janet Behrends * Betty Bender Don Gettinger * Patrick & Bridget Kurthenbach * Thomas Lanman * Lind Price, Nancy * Mike & Linda Orsted * Roger Peterson Above: Linda J Besk with the dollhouse she purchased at a WCHS fundraiser last winter. Below: Inside the Warden's House Museum, Brent Peterson, Executive Director of WCHS, Linda J. Besk, RMRealty, and Sandra Witte holding the envelope. left while they were bidding against another party, the price going up quickly, but when the auction ended, the dollhouse was theirs! The story has a happy ending. WCHS received an envelope with a check and a note: "On Behalf of LaVonne Derousseau, Linda J. Besk hereby presents a check in the amount of $1,200.00 to both the Hope House of the St. Croix Valley and to the Washington County Historical Society." Mission accomplished~ This article appeared first in the Stillwater Gazette. New and Renewing Annual Members Darlene Anderson * Sally Anderson * David Bealke Kathleen Brevig * Emilie Carlson * Chuck Clausen * Judy Clausen * Pete Clements & Sara Wagner * Ryan & Lisa Collins * Mary Combs * Robert Erikkson & Casey Higgins Holly Fitzenberger * Mike Frain * Kathy Friberg * Sam Fudenberg * Gretchen Furber * Patrick & Martha Gerkey Gregory Glavan * Barb Greeter * Roger Green * Bev & Lawrence Gross * Daniel & Nancy Haley * David Haynes Sandra Hjelmberg * Chuck Hoffman * Beth Honetschlager Edith Hophan * Richard Johnson * Jake Music Jones * Robert Jones * Bernard & Mary Klein * Hugh Kraemer * Sharyn Kriegel * Thomas & Cherryl Kurkoski * Evic Linner * Lucy McAllister * Ann McLellan * Julie Medbery * Patricia Medbery * Michael & Mary Minkiewicz * Robert & Mary Molenda * John & Evy Nerbonne * Peter Nord * Angie Noyes * Barb & Bryan Olson * Duane Olson * Frank Orsello * David & Constance Paulson * Mary Petrisko * Dede Potter & Paul Domfeld * Thomas Przybilla * Paul Renslo * Michael Revoir * Alice Robinson * Al & Carol Schmig * Susan Schroeder * Dorothy Scullen * Lorraine Shingledecker * Torn Simonet * David & Wendy Staberg * Gibson Stanton * Nancy Stephenson * Shirley Tibbetts * Martha Valainis * Gloria Vandemmeltraadt * Rich & Pam Vorwerk * Fred Weideman Ellen Wier * Gary & Mary Williams * Lynn Wilson * David & Diane Wright * Sarlyn Ziegler 4 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Washington County Historical Societe Financial Report for FY2020 Balance Sheet As of December 31, 2020 Total Operations Endowment Capital As of Dec 31, As of Dec 31, As of Dec 31„ As of Dec 31, 2020 2020 2020 2020 ASSETS Current Assets Total Capital Campaign $ 1,163,194.07 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 1,163,194.07 Total Endowment Assets $ 414,697.67 $ 0.00 $ 414,697.67 $ 0.00 Total Publications $ 7,461.49 $ 7,461.49 Total Society Operations $ 70,754.75 $ 70,754.75 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Total Society Special Projects $ 10,403.86 $ 10,403.86 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Total Current Assets $ 1,639,237.92 $ 88,620.10 $ 387,423.75 $ 1,163,194.07 Total Fixed Assets $ 1,267,724.00 $ 525,849.00 $ 0.00 $ 741,875.00 TOTAL ASSETS $ 2,906,961.92 $ 614,469.10 $ 387,423.75 $ 1,905,069,07 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Total Liabilities $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Total Equity $ 2,934,235.84 $ 616,163.66 $ 414,697.67 $ 1,903,374.51 Profit and Loss by Class January - December 2020 Income Total Endowment $ 1,835.00 $ 0.00 $ 1,835.00 $ 0.00 Total Grants $ 249,640.34 $ 102,140.34 $ 0.00 $ 147,500.00 Total Interest Income $ 63,204.16 $ 74.91 $ 46,460.92 $ 16,668.33 Total Non -Profit Income $ 94,337.92 $ 40,670.52 $ 0.00 $ 53,667.40 Total Income $ 409,017.42 $ 142,885.77 $ 48,295.92 $ 217,835.73 Expenses Total Building Expenses $ 39,319.86 $ 14,599.23 $ 0.00 $ 24„720.63 Total Employee Expense $ 78,558.80 $ 78,558.80 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Total Insurance $ 17,435.62 $ 7,435.62 $ 0.00 $ 10,000.00 Total Membership Expense $ 7,193.05 $ 5,451.80 $ 0.00 $ 1,741.25 Total Operation Expenses $ 16,075.83 $ 11,622.60 $ 0.00 $ 4,453.23 Total Professional Services $ 167,619.48 $ 64,411.00 $ 0.00 $ 103,208.48 Total Special Projects Expenses $ 30.00 $ 30.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 Total Expenses $ 326,232.64 $ 182,109.05 $ 0.00 $ 144,123.59 Net Income $ 82,784.75 -$ 39,223.28 $ 48,295.92 $ 73,712.14 This is an unaudited statement. The final IRS 990 from our accountant will be available in April. APRIL 2021 5 LEAGUE -Continued from page I The U.S. entered World War I on April 6, 1917 to legislators quickly passed the Sullivan bills, which were signed into law by Governor J. A. A. Bumquist on April 16, 1917. The MCPS took control of many of the state's regulato- ry, public safety, and military functions. While the Stillwater Gazette was Sulli- van's cheerleader, the Minneapolis Labor Re- view believed that Sullivan had been put up to attacking labor by business owners who were bitter foes of organized labor. In June 1917 the Review opined that the State Safety Commis- sion Law was shoved through the legislature when that body was in a state of fear and hyste- ria. "[A]t the close of the session they feared lest every breath of wind might blow a Zeppelin L \! over the capitol and they be bombed into etemi- ty." They also feared farmer protests that might jeopardize food production while the country was at war. Some of the people on the commission were those who stood to profit from the war or had personal vendettas. One member of the MCPS attacked German aliens, tried to oust the Socialist mayor of Minneapolis, and used his position to oppose the attempts of farmers to organize the Non -Partisan League. In April of 1918 a Senate committee heard about the immediate need for formation of state firing squads "in order to make up for lost time." Reaction in Washington County The commission hired Pinkerton agents to attend meetings and events organized by the state's German - Americans and other ethnic groups and created a county level network of spies (it was a crime for more than two persons to attend a "syndicalist" meeting). In Washington County, that was the Washington County Patriotic League, sometimes called the Protective League. The League was organized by county patriots before the MCPS scheme of County Councils of National Defense was born, so was not converted to a Members of the Minnesota Commission of Public Safety (MCPS) include Governor Burnquist, seated beneath lamp. Left: George H. Sullivan was a Stillwater lawyer who served several terms in the Minnesota Senate and as Lt. Governor from October 1916 to January 1917. County Council. Its purpose was to assure the public safety and to guard the loyalty of the county with "the jaws of a lion and the eyes of an eagle." R. A. "Colonel Bob" Wilkinson, a Lake Elmo fanner, called the first meeting of the League on May S, 1917. The purpose of the League was to assist civil and military author- ities in securing public safety, inspiring patriotism, and aiding the war effort. The League was also charged with tracking down German spies and saboteurs, It was a semi-official volunteer organization reporting to the Justice Department Wilkinson was elected president of the League. H. R. Leonard, county agricultural agent, served as secretary, and H. C. Robertson as treasurer. Chairmen were appointed in each township. They were; J. G. Wright, Denmark; Frank Crippen, Cottage Grove; J. M. Trickey, Newport; Henry A. Swenson, Afton; Victor Munson, Woodbury; Maurice Malone, Oakdale; John Bergquist, Lakeland; John Mackey, Baytown; Frank Ulrich, Stillwater; O. B. Soule, Grant; John Rosell, May; George S. Taylor, Oneka; Henry A. Johnson, New Scandia; O. Struble, Forest Lake; and Philip Heule, Hugo. Col. R. A. Wilkinson, "the Sage of Lake Elmo" Randolph A Wilkiinson was born in England and emi- grated with his family to the United States in 1852 at the age of eight. He apparently fought in the Civil War, afterwards becoming a lawyer, he was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 1868. He later moved to St. Paul to practice law and was a member of the legal depart- ment of the Great Northern Railroad. Oakdale, as "the Sage of Lake Elmo." Wilkinson was elected to the Minnesota Legislature, serving in the House 1919- 1926 and was for a time chairman of the dairy, food, and livestock committee. He was also chief grain inspector for the state in 1932. By 1910 he had become a farmer in Oakdale Town- On June 30, 1932, at age of 89, ship, specializing in Guernsey cattle and grain farming. Colonel Wilkinson was killed in a car He was a delegate to the Republican National Conven- accident In St. Paul. His automobile collided with a truck. Old timers tion from Minnesota in 1912. At some point he became said he was a man in a hurry and would only slow down for stop known as "Colonel' and, even though his farm was in signs. He is buried at Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul. 6 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Colonel Bob was relentless. "He was everywhere over Washington county, stirring up patriots, directing war workers, and watching sluggards so that he might start them out in the right direction," according to Washington County in the World War (1919?). The Liberty Bond Drive The Patriotic League had another function, promoting — nay, enforcing purchase of — government bonds, called Liberty Bonds, to finance the war. Every property owner was allotted bonds equal to 3 percent of his assessed property value, and a letter was sent telling the person where and when to buy his bonds. Although purchase of the bonds was supposedly volun- tary, there could be follow-up from the Justice Department. The League had a Woman's Committee that allotted a share to every woman who was working or had any money in her own name. Some soreheads insinuated that this plan sa- vored of coercion, but only one person who was told to buy bonds did not appear, and he happened to be in jail for uttering "seditious" comments. Washington County was very patriotic. There was, however, division over the definition of `�Pa- triot." Many who did not serve in the armed forces pointed to their support of the war through doing without rationed goods and subscribing to Liberty bonds. The Stillwater Gazette edito- rialized: "The men with weak hearts, flat feet and conscien- tious scruples, which kept them out of the war, as well as the women who were slackers and didn't do anything for the boys who went to the defense of our country, are now sneaking out of their holes and attempting to mingle with real people." By Christmas 1917, the Red Cross was in need of knit- ted goods and hospital supplies. Volunteers rose to the chal- lenge, producing wool helmets and vests, chest covers, and fingerless mitts. In addition to knitting, women got together to roll bandages and put together "comfort kits" for the soldiers. Seventy-nine boys of Washington County, too young to enlist as regular soldiers, donned uniform and formed a little army of their own. This was the Stillwater division of the Boy Scouts. They did every conceivable task from picking up pa- pers on the street to selling Liberty Loan bonds and collecting contributions for the Red Cross. A Home Guard Is Formed Soon after the war began, Mayor Jacob Kolliner of Stillwater proposed that a Home Guard be formed to protect the citizens against ill-advised and lawless people. The mayor thought 300 to 500 men should be enough. Stillwater's Na- tional Guard unit had been called up to federal service. Other counties created militias or home guards, and some had banned any language but English in schools or in public. Washington County had its share of witch-hunts, but less persecution of "bolsheviks" and "radicals" than many other counties. That was likely because of the high concentration of Patriots conduct a Liberty Bond sale and parade in St. Paul to stir up enthusiasm for the war effort. Minn. Historical Society_ cooperative -minded Scandinavians, organized workers, and profitable farmers, many of them of German heritage. Ger- mans were the largest ethnic group in Minnesota at the time. The League had many successes, taking a hand in raising money for financing the Red Cross, arranging patriotic meet- ings in the county, encouraging enlistment, and stamping out any attempt at hampering the war's progress. The members were tireless, but no spies were ever found in Washington County. Aftereffects The German St. Paul Methodist College and Dormitory in St. Paul Park was a casualty of the war effort. The college closed in 1918 due to low enrollment. Although some of the students were drafted, registration also fell off because of the German association. Several German -language newspapers also ceased production. In Minnesota, the creation of the Commission on Public Safety was viewed by many as an embarrassing, even danger- ous attack on democratic principles. One unintended conse- quence of the commission's harassment of labor and farmers is that those two groups united, and the political effect of their merger lingers to this day in the Minnesota Democratic Farmer -Labor (DFL) Party. When World War I ended, so did much of the MCPS's justification. It was abolished by legislative act in 1919 and met for the last time in 1920. With the commission's demise and the end of the war, anti -German nativism lost much of its momentum. The Washington County Patriotic League also disbanded at the end of the war. For more information about the local response to the war, see A History of Washington County: Gateway to Minnesota Histo- ry (WCHS, 2008) and Washington County in the World War (St. Paul, 1919?). APRIL 2021 7 A Road Trip in Washington County in the 1930s This letter came to WCHS from Martin Jaeger, who found it among his father's effects. The letter was written in 2005 to the elder Jaeger by a friend from Hastings, Minnesota, C. D. Wille. Mr. Wille details his memories of taking Sunday drives from Hastings to Saint Paul's Battle Creek Park on Point Douglas Road. He refers to the trips in the 1927 Chrysler as taking place 70 years earlier, so the assump- tion is that they were made in the mid- 1930s. Now Highways 61 & 10 Point Douglas Road exists only in part today, much of it being covered over by US Highways 61 and 10. Parts of the service drives still bear the names Point Douglas Road and Point Doug- las Drive and parts are called Hastings Avenue, which was the name it had corning out of Saint Paul in the 1920s. The road from Hastings across the old bridge followed a similar path up the hill as Highway 61 today. Hastings Spiral Bridge The unique wooden spiral bridge over the Mississippi River was built in 1895. The spiral design not only slowed down traffic crossing the river, but brought it down into Hastings' business district. The bridge replaced a rope ferry across the Mississippi. The village of Langdon lay along the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road tracks south of where present- day Jamaica Avenue crosses Highway 61. A railroad town, Langdon at one time housed an elevator and feed mill, plus a general store, blacksmith, stockyard and lumberyard. Point Douglas Road by: C. D. Wille 25 Sep `05 In those days Hastings, Minn. was 18 miles east of Saint Paul and right at the point where the wide St. Croix River poured from the north into the Mississippi. A typical town, it had one unique feature: the old spiral wood- en bridge. It stood right at the river's edge and its tight curves climbed al- most a hundred feet to meet the long, high span which crossed the mighty Mississippi. On Sunday afternoons my eldest sister, El, would drive the family (of eight) on that trek in her 1927 Chrysler sedan just for the thrill of descending that bridge. I think every board was loose in that structure, be- cause it clacked and rumbled alarmingly as she reefed the wheel and kept one foot on the brake. Round and round we thumped our way to the bot- tom, laughing all the way. A sign at the base named the man whose genius was attributed to its construction and the date. But the Point Douglas Road had interesting scenes all the way. Paved in the early thirties, it wound through hills and curves in its two narrow lanes. Langdon was a crossing. The lofty J. V. Bailey Nursery stood on a hill. The twin ancient trees where wagons used to pause. Saint Paul Park, whose houses were almost disappeared — only an empty college building remained. Off the road mother would pick crocuses as we would pause for lunch. Vegetable stands sold melons every few miles. Mile after mile we'd peer out the big square windows at the country scene. A railroad's hun- dreds of boxcars ran alongside part of the way. At a crossroad stood two low buildings, the Newport Motor Inn and Red Rock Cafe. Further on two or three tall brick buildings made up the town of Highwood, a place which never developed into anything. Old, decrepit, derelict & unoccupied — we could only wonder whose dream it was to build a town less than ten miles from the city. Yet there it stood among tall cottonwoods just off the high- way, the Point Douglas Road. Red, gaunt, spooky, tired. In the distance looking west, Saint Paul's cluster of downtown buildings were visible in the river's mist. Mrs. Hintermister had a berry patch nearby and sometimes we would pick currants and raspberries there. We passed Harry's Rocky Inn, a tavern made of cemented stones. Bat- tle Creek Park was a place to picnic, pow -wow, and creep into sandstone caves. And sing songs by the fire. Vast railroad yards came into view at sunset as we neared home, colors so vivid spangled the western sky that we all marveled at them. Of our fam- ily of eight only four of us survive 70 years later. And we live thousands of miles from that road but 1, for one, have not forgotten it. I just conjured it back today. A ride with all of us in that old Chrysler. With Laughter, Char 2005 Survivors: Mildred 93 (Texas) Otto Louis 88 (Colorado) Charles 84 (Oregon) Ward 83 (Colorado) 8 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS St. Paul Park Industry St. Paul Park was platted in the 1880s by the St. Paul Park Improvement Company. It was a company town with at least a dozen manufactories employing a thousand work- ers, many of whom commuted from St. Paul on the Burling- ton Motor (a railroad trolley). It was a boom town for a dec- ade, but the panic of 1893 put an end to many of the busi- nesses, and, unfortunately, in 1909 many downtown busi- nesses were destroyed by fire. During World War I there was a shortage of workers due to the young men being drafted, and the German Methodist Academy shut its doors, possibly influenced by anti -German sentiment. Red Rock and Newport Merge Red Rock and Newport began as two separate communities. The small sawmill town of Newport combined with its northern neighbor, Red Rock, in 1889. The Farmers' Ter- minal Meat Packing Company (Cudahy) in Red Rock drew workers and by the 1930s the area had the Newport Motor Inn (which sold Willys-Knight and Whippet cars) and New- port Plaza. The Farmers Cooperative Terminal Packing Plant in Red Rock was the big employer and drew much business to the Newport area_ Photo c. 1925. Right: Highwood Station on the Milwaukee railroad c. 1910. Both photos, Minn. Historical Society. Left. The Hastings spiral bridge seen from the Dakota County approach in a 1920 postcard. Below, Point Douglas Road under construction at Battle Creek Park, Minn. Historical Society photo. According to Robert Vogel, Newport's Preservation Planner, there may have been more than one Red Rock Ca- fe, one on the west side of the highway near the packing plant, the other, possibly, on the east side. The Newport Motor Inn was once on Seventh Avenue west of Point Douglas Road, and then moved to Red Rock. The packing plant drew several establishments\ that catered to packing house workers and truckers. Highway 61 in Ramsey County North of Newport, in Ramsey County, stood the small vil- lage of Highwood. The end of Highwood Avenue was at the railroad station on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul_ It and the small downtown were obliterated by the various remakings of Highway 61. North of Highwood, near Lower Afton Road, stood the establishment here called Harry's Rocky Inn (which may have been popular before prohibi- tion as well as after). Bailey's Nursery and Battle Creek Park have remained as landmarks, although both have great- ly expanded. APRIL 2021 9 Meet Your Board of Directors We've asked the WFHS board members to share their stories with you so you can get to know therm better. This story is by Tom Simonet, current board treasurer. Sue and Tom Simonet Sue (Duden) and Tom Simonet's rings are joined together by an infinity loop. Sue, a 1975 graduate of Hudson High School, and Tom, a 1972 graduate of Stillwater High School, were married on March 19, 1977. Their 41 years of married life was a match made in Heaven until colon, liver, and bone cancer took the precious life of Sue on January 22, 2018. Sue's love for photography grew when she worked for Portraits by Miles, a photo studio at the foot of the Main Street Stairs in downtown Stillwater. V M She was the first person for Miles as she greet- ed Stillwater students for their class pictures. She handled all mailings, coordination of schedules, and delivery of film for processing. One day while standing on the back counter in the front room cleaning cobwebs, she stopped to make an appointment for Tom Simonet, Tom needed a passport photo for an upcom- ing trip. A few days later, as Sue dropped the daily film to be processed into the mailbox on Main Street in Stillwater, Tom approached her and asked her out on a date. As he skipped happily across Main Street, he failed to ask her name. He turned to Sue to mend his foolish ways. Sue responded: "Sue — but you will have to find out my last name on your own." Eleven days later, Tom asked her to marry him. That all hap- pened in the summer of 1976. .Sue and Tom Simonet enjoy a day out at a Saints game. AI left: Tom and Sue's wedding rings will forever be laced together Store. She found her passion in sewing, crafting, and talking with dear friends. She always had a smile on her face and a cheerful voice when greeting others Tom worked for the Nature Hut and finished his 34-year civilian career with Wells Fargo and Company. At the same time, Tom was active in the Minnesota Air Guard and the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He spent 36 years, 3 months, and 17 days serving in uniform. His duel career of civilian and military was possible because of the strong partnership and support of his wife and family, the civilian managers of Wells Fargo, and a strong desire to serve. Sue took care of everything important over the next 41 Tom has been a WCHS board member since 2011 and years. She worked for Express Photo and Michael's Craft was elected treasurer that year. Progress at the New Heritage Center After more than fifteen years of planning and waiting, the new WCBS Heritage Center is beginning to take shape. Drywall is up, and spaces are being defined. New exhibits featuring John Runk photos and the lumbering industry in the St. Croix Valley are being built, and artifacts that have been in storage for 50 or more years will finally be seen — hopefully, at a grand opening this fall. Our wonderful collection of vintage clothing will also be on display, with an exhibit contrasting styles and fashions of the 1860s and 1960s.. We will also be able to display articles showing Native Americans in Washington County. Another exhibit will feature Black baseball history in the county. The new Heritage Center will be only partially complete this fall, but guests will be able to see these exhibits. About $5 million must still be raised to complete the facilities. County Commissioner Gary Kriesel gets a tour of the new Heritage Center from board members Ryan Collins (center) and Tom Simonet. 10 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS UNCOVERING COUNTY HISTORY Chinese Laundries in Stillwater by Brent Peterson, Executive Director Yes, really! In the late 1800s, the stereo- typical Chinese laundry became a histor- ical fact in Washington County. It turns out that as a pioneer town would begin to grow, it was a mark that it was becoming something of an important destination if that town had a Chinese laundry. Ac- cording to the editor of the Cumberland, Wisconsin, Herald in July 1883: "Cum- berland is rapidly assuming metropolitan airs. The latest advancement in that di- rection is a Chinese laundryman who has rooms under the Merchants Hotel." Stillwater was as "metropolitan" as any other city in the mid- to late 19th century and attracted several Chinese laundrymen who set up shop in the St. Croix Valley. One of the earliest Chinese laundries belonged to Sam Lung, who operated a shop at 209 Chestnut Street in 1879. Af- ter a couple of years, he sold his interest to Quong Wong. The Stillwater Messen- ger exalted about the owners of the laun- dry, stating, "They are honest, industri- Quong Wing laundry in the Tepass build- ing in Stillwater in 1888. Are those his delivery wagons? ous, gentlemanly fellows, who have made many friends among our citizens." Wong continued to operate the laun- dry for a few years; as his help, he enlist- ed family members. One evening in early October 1883, Sam Waha came into the laundry where Wong's uncle, Sam Kee. was working. Waha threatened to kill Kee and had a "large knife and a pistol" on him. The police were called and Waha was arrested. The following day he was before a Judge in Stillwater Police court where he pleaded guilty and was "sent out of town." In July 1885, Quong Wing, proprietor of the Chinese laundry in the Tepass building in Stillwater, leased the basement under Burke's Clothing store on Chestnut Street. The papers reported it was "being fitted up for laundry purposes." Sam Kee continued to work in the laundry business in Stillwater along with Charlie Kee. In the early 1890s, Jim Moy came into Stillwater and continued to operate a laundry for the next decade. Jim Moy's place was located at 214 South Second Street, according to the 1892 Stillwater City Directory. Moy con- tinued at that lo- cation through the 1890s and, ac- cording to a Stillwater Mes- senger article from June 1900, "Moy Jim, the old-time laundry 111wator Min klmo. we have junt purchased a new and improved Polishing Machine for shirt bossonu4, the best in the market. All washing done by hand. Prices for family and work- inirnsen's laundry work the lowest in the city. Button and button boles+ sewed. All work Kiiaranteed. Work called forand delivered PRICE LIST. Pubris...... d................lac Bbtris lroue................aks Dollars. .............. ?c Cul?s. Per pM r.............. . 1)rawers. . ....... ............ Undershtrta ................... St. Socks. per pair................M; Handkereblefs ............... '2c Coate .........................1Se Vests ......... .15. Troubers ................25c nrecsew plain.......... 2be Waists. 1 be to 2 . VIRht DremseK. ... ......10cUP J. S. MOY. MOY JIM, TO.189-4. ProprieLora. 214 S. SECOND STREET.. Chinese laundryprice list in 1900 in an ad from the Stillwater Messenger. man of this city, has associated himself with his cousin, J. S. Moy, and purchased a laundry in St. Paul which they will run in connection with their business in this city. Moy Jim is at present attending to the St. Paul branch, J. S. Moy is looking after the business here." By 1904, the Moy family had left Stillwater and moved to St. Paul perma- nently. Charles Kee took over the laun- dry at 214 South Second Street and oper- ated the laundry for a couple more years until he too left for St. Paul. Stillwater was the home of a Chinese Laundry for more than twenty years. In that time, Stillwater grew from a small lumber community to a true "metropolitan" city. For more information on the Moy family, there is a wonderful article written by Sherri Gebert Fuller titled "Mirrored Identities: The Moys of St. Paul," in Minneso- ta History Magazine, Winter 2000-2001. APRIL 2021 11 DATED MATERIAL WMIN61011 (OUNTV flISTOAHL �00M 1862 S. Greeley Street, Stillwater, MN 55082 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Contact Us To receive this newsletter by U.S. Mail or Email, or for information about the Washington County Historical Society, contact us at 651-439-5956 or email information@wchsmn.org On the web at www.wchsmn.org Non -Profit Organization U. S. Postage PAID Permit No. 224 Stillwater, MN 55082 000003 **00G002V**5-DEGtr 5sotG COTTAGE GROVE HPC CITY OFFICE ATTN: L2804 RAY INE_ PKUY COTTAGE GROVE, NN 55OLG-GL©3 ------------------------- MEMBERSHIP APPPLICATION or RENEWAL j I Washington County Historical Society I I I Name I 1 Address � 1 r City, State, Zip I I Telephone Indicate preferred type of membership _Annual Individual ($25) I 1 _Annual Senior Citizen/Student ($15) 1 _Annual Family ($35) 1 _Annual Patron ($75) 1 _Annual Sustaining ($125) Life ($1,000) I I I I Additional donations are welcome and needed. 1 Volunteer help is also needed (check here —or call). I Detach and mail to: WCHS Memberships 1 1862 S. Greeley St., Stillwater MN 55082 1 Membership includes subscription to Historical Whisperings.------------------------ � gIII1 411111'1'1111111111111gIIIIIIIIIIIatIII[IIIII(IIItIIaII1411 Our Mission The Washington County Historical Society collects, preserves, and disseminates the history of Washington County and the State of Minnesota. WCHS programs include book publication, speakers and workshops, historical reenactments, vintage base ball, school programs, exhibits, print and electronic newsletters, historical markers, and a history website (www.wchsmn.org) with links to other history organizations. Our goal is to provide an oppor- tunity for all county citizens to team about and enjoy our area's history and to build a sense of community heritage. The Washington County Historical Society is uniquely situated to document early Minnesota history and to tell the story of immigrants from the eastern United States and Europe who settled the region in the mid -nineteenth century. The county's geographic connections to the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers place the county at the forefront of settlement and the estab- lishment of the territory and state. For this reason we have chosen our motto, Gateway to Minnesota History 316 12 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS