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  1. First Pharmacy

    May 23, 2013 by Hubbard County Historical Museum Director

    In 1882 the first pharmacy was opened by David Mandigo and son.

    In 1890 A drug store was opened by Dr. Winship and W. Blood.

    Blood and Cutlers Drug Store 1901 (2)

    I found this old photograph that is dated 1901 Blood and Cutler’s Drug Store.

    The next bit of history found in 1905 states that Dr. C. W. Cutler’s nephew Herbert W. Cutler married Dr. P. A. Walling’s daughter, Iva.  Herb was a pharmacist and owned a drug store.  Herb died young and Iva hired a pharmacist named Mr. Vacek whom she later married.  When he died she married a Mr. Hill.

    Original Cutler Pharmacy years later Park Drug Skoe (2)

    This old photo is marked: Original Cutler Pharmacy years later Park Drug (Skoe).   I wonder if they are referring to the Skoe Drug Store that used to be on the first block of main street on the east side of the street?

    Category main street, old photographs | Tags: | 1 Comment

  2. 1953 REMEMBERED

    May 16, 2013 by Hubbard County Historical Museum Director

    Back in May of 1953 a ceremony and parade was held in Ponsford Minnesota.   James Nunn Sr. and the Park Rapids High School Band were inducted into the Chippewa Tribe.

    On Monday May 20 at 7 PM Dick Nunn will present the introduction to the 1953 film footage.  Jane Nunn and Bev Watson former band members will be present to recall that day.  If you were a member of the Park Rapids High School Marching Band that year..please join us!

    The public is encouraged to attend.  We will meet at 7 PM in the lower level of the new courthouse which is handicap accessible.  Refreshments will be served.

    Old photo used with permission from Bev Watson.

    Pr marching band photo from Bev Watson

    Category area history, old photographs, Programs | Tags: | 1 Comment

  3. Egg Coffee, Cookies and Fish

    May 8, 2013 by Hubbard County Historical Museum Director

    Everyone here at the museum would like to wish everyone good luck fishing!

    We would like to invite you to a open house at the museum!  Please join us for Egg Coffee and Cookies from 1 to 4 PM on Friday May 10.

    Here is an old photo  of Fuller’s Tackle Shop.Fullers Window

    Everyone looked in this window on main street..if you were a fisherman or fisherwoman you visited Fuller’s window.   If you were lucky enough to catch a big one, your fish would be displayed on the ice along with a cardboard sign that held all the information: type of fish, it’s length and weight, what bait was used and what lake it was caught at.  I believe the signs might have had a spot for your name..where you were from and which resort you stayed at.

    If anyone has one of those old cardboard signs we would sure appreciate a donation to the museum so that everyone could  see what they looked like.  I know some of the resorts used to collect them and hang them up in their recreation rooms.

    Category main street, Old Photographs | Tags: | Comments Off

  4. Remember When: May Fete

    May 1, 2013 by Hubbard County Historical Museum Director

    In 1924 a May Fete took place here in Park Rapids.  A “fete” is a party or celebration which may include dancing and might be a fund raiser. First mae Fete 1924

    The event in 1924 was held in “Nary’s Glen “ on the east side of Park Rapids, a large number of people attended and had a pleasant evening.

    First Mae Fete with names 1924

    This copy reveals a few of the girls names.  Martha Wade Vaerst, Esprence Sterns King, Margaret Cutler Jacob, Margaret Sanford Tesky and Genevieve Nyguard Kruger.

    HAPPY MAY DAY!

    The museum officially opens today.  The hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM.  Stop by and say HI!

    Category Remember when | Tags: | 3 Comments

  5. View of The Tracks

    April 26, 2013 by Hubbard County Historical Museum Director

    This is a old glass negative from Tom Vogtman’s collection.

    Vogtman PR Depot.tif

    If you happen to know the name of the Lumber Company in this photo, please leave a comment.

     

     

     

    Category old photographs | Tags: | 11 Comments

  6. Third Street Train Crossing

    April 22, 2013 by Hubbard County Historical Museum Director

    This is an old glass negative from Tom Vogtman’s collection.

    Vogtman train @ 3rd St.tif

    It looks like the engine is #3033   The engine was built in 1913 and used sometime after that.  It was scrapped in 1953.

    Perhaps someone can date the photo by the Model T’s..if you can please leave a comment.

    Look at that old streetlight..I wonder what happened to it?

    Category old photographs | Tags: | 3 Comments

  7. Train in the Snow

    April 12, 2013 by Hubbard County Historical Museum Director

    This is an old glass negative from Tom Vogtman’s personal collection that he so kindly shared with the museum.

    Vogtman train in snow.tif

    We still have snow on the ground this year.  I heard a report that there is still 32 inches of ice on area lakes. 

    Do any of you old timers have any late spring stories to share?  I wonder what is the latest date in May for ice out on area lakes?

    Category Old Photographs | Tags: | 1 Comment

  8. Shay Locomotive

    April 7, 2013 by Hubbard County Historical Museum Director

     

    Shay 4 Locomotive

    The Shay Locomotive was a geared steam locomotive that was invented by Ephraim Shay.  He wanted an easier way to move logs to the mill.  He would be able to log year round.  The track would be laid 2 feet and 2 inches apart on wooden ties.

    I am not sure who donated this photograph, last year a copy was requested by a gentleman who was writing a book about early locomotives.

    If anyone has more information to share about the Shay Locomotive in Hubbard County please leave a comment.

    Info from Gene:

    That particular engine (#637) was built in 1901 for the Nebagamon Lumber co and used by by the Red River Lumber Co. #4 in Akeley, MN.

    Info from Brian:

    The Shay was built by the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Oh. I’ve included the link to the Allen County Museum. They have a restored Shay on display there.

    Category Old Photographs | Tags: | 5 Comments

  9. 1957 Snow

    March 29, 2013 by Hubbard County Historical Museum Director

    This is a photo of a snow storm on March 17, 1957. 

    Mobil Station in Akely owned by Jim Moore b in 1954 Eldon James

    This photo was taken in Akeley at the old Mobil Station that used to be owned by Jim Moore.  It was bought in 1954 by Eldon James.

    It looks like it was quite a snowstorm. 

    From all of us at the museum we wish you a happy and safe Easter weekend:)

    Category Akeley, area history, Old Photographs | Tags: | 1 Comment

  10. Early Hubbard County 1881-1885

    March 23, 2013 by Hubbard County Historical Museum Director

    1881 : Frank and Gilbert Rice arrived and built a flour mill on the rapids of the Fish Hook River.  The river was dammed to provide power for the mills.  ( Two of the millstones from the mill are on the lawn of the Historical Museum.)

    1882: Dr. Walling arrived and three weeks later Dr. C.W. Cutler joined him.

    1882:  Since there were two Doctors in town the first pharmacy was opened by David Mandigo and son.

    1883: The legislature detached 16 Congressional Townships from Cass County and organized Hubbard County. Park Rapids was named the county seat.

    The first board of Commissioners, Smith Booram, J. W. Jay and Dr. C. E. Cutler who were all appointed by the Governor held their first meeting.  They appointed the following officers:

    Auditor – V. E. Noble

    Register of Deeds – F. C. Rice

    Sheriff  – Robert Shields

    Coroner -  David Mandigo

    Treasurer – John Jarvis

    Superintendent of Schools – Samuel T. Todd

    Surveyor – Cyrus Blair

    1883 to 1885: A makeshift Court House was established in the R. F. Shields general store on Lot 1 Block 5 Park Rapids.

    1885: Years after the first settlers took claims on Hubbard Prairie, Hubbard County was named in honor of Lucius F. Hubbard who was the Governor of Minnesota from 1882 to 1887.

    1886:  Petition was filed to relocate the county seat to Hubbard (formerly known as Mantor).

    ********************

    From what I have heard the people of Hubbard felt that they were the oldest settled area of the county and it only followed that they should be the county seat.  Rightfully so.

    The Railroad was going to be coming into the area.  Up to this point Verndale was the train station where goods and supplies were delivered.

    I heard..Back then towns had to pay so much a foot/mile to have the railroad come through your town.  Hubbard refused to pay..and Park Rapids paid..so that is why the County Seat is still Park Rapids.

    If anyone has more to add to this bit of history ..please leave a comment.

    Category area history | Tags: | 1 Comment

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