Bicycles courtesy of Conklin's Hardware Store

Al Conklin, local hardware merchant, and his children Floy, Alfred, Edna and Ethel, about l900. With the splendid trails flanking the city, we see many hikers and bikers enjoying the smooth paths as they hustle through the neighborhoods. Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Peoples Telephone directory was fascinating look at people of SV

In l9l8 the Peoples Telephone Co. mailed out its directory to 870 plus subscribers. Its general office was in Chatfield but it had the local exchange and rural lines in Chatfield, St. Charles, Stewartville, Spring Valley, Racine and connecting toll lines. Tuesday, August 24, 2010

A look back at early dairy industry

Recent columns have dealt with machinery and implements used by the farmers for crop farming. Another major element in diversified farming was the dairy industry and many folks remember the morning and evening tasks of milking cows. Tuesday, August 17, 2010

State prison-made grain drill now on display

While a number of museums display old-time farm machinery, not many have a collection of Minnesota brand equipment once made at the Minnesota State Prison in Stillwater. Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Farm magazine from 1922 covers machinery to gardening

As we begin to focus on the coming Ag Days events, Aug. 20 to 22, let's take a look at one of the nifty magazines available to the farming community in l922. The Country Gentleman magazine of March that year "for the American Farmer and His Family," was a bargain at only 5 cents a copy. Wednesday, August 04, 2010

'Nostalgia Kitchen' brings back memories

Oh, the fun things one can see at the Spring Valley Historical Society museums! The old-time kitchen in the basement of the Methodist Church Museum contains many artifacts, most of which are from l900 on, whereas the Washburn-Zittleman House kitchen has older items from the late l800s. Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Glimpses of Yesteryear: Looking back at class of 1950

You should see the "Reflection" yearbook for the class of l950. In Spring Valley high school colors, the black notebook features a red felt square on its cover with a snarling gray wolf glaring at you. Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Businesses that thrived in 1926

Not long ago Linda Niemeyer brought in a tattered and very brown copy of the Spring Valley Mercury dated Aug. 6, l926, originally mailed to Mrs. Glenn Churchill on Route 3. Thursday, July 15, 2010

Neill family 'treasures' can be found at Historical Society

Many years ago the Frank Neill family home north of town near Hamilton was burglarized and vandalized while Anna Neill and her husband, Bill Hare, were residents at the local nursing home. Thursday, July 08, 2010

Tour city cemetery, get a lesson in history

With the beautiful American flag prominently flying these days, first for Memorial Day, then Flag Day, and now the Fourth of July, it's a constant reminder of sacrifices made for our benefit. Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Looking back at life in 1980

Perhaps there is a 30-year class reunion coming up this summer? A total of 83 students graduated from Spring Valley High School in l980 with an international flavor - two foreign exchange students - Pablo Espinola from Paraguay and Dagfinn Johansen from Norway. It was the year for many boys to wear their hair about as long as the girls did, and all looked neat and trim in the class photo. Students enjoyed a wealth of activities: Spanish or German Club, Heart Club, Student Council, choirs, Girls' Glee Club, Pep Singers, cheerleaders, band, FFA and FHA. Wednesday, June 23, 2010