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    Alexandria
    Alexandria
    Alexandria
    Ebook180 pages1 hour

    Alexandria

    By Barbara Grover

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    About this ebook

    Alexandria is situated near the center of Douglas County, surrounded by a chain of beautiful lakes. These lakes brought pioneer settlers to the area as early as 1858, when Minnesota achieved statehood and the town was established. The lakes remain a key factor that continue to draw residents and visitors. The images in Postcard History Series: Alexandria tell the community s story, recalling fond memories of the businesses, churches, homes, schools, and recreational opportunities that form the generous and caring nature of the welcoming community that is Alexandria.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArcadia Publishing
    Release dateJul 7, 2014
    ISBN9781439646007
    Alexandria
    Author

    Barbara Grover

    Barbara Grover has been a resident of Alexandria since 1960. She has been actively involved as a volunteer in the community following her retirement in 2001 as executive director of the Douglas County Historical Society. She is the author of Images of America: Alexandria, published in 2013. The images in Postcard History Series: Alexandria come from the Douglas County Historical Society and private collections.

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      Book preview

      Alexandria - Barbara Grover

      Society.

      INTRODUCTION

      This book is about Alexandria, Minnesota, described in promotional material as the finest place to vacation, to live and to work. A 1902 tourist guide read,

      We believe that Alexandria has a unique small town flavor that shows who we are, a part of a beautiful area of lakes and how our lives and thousands of visitors are richer for it. Alexandria is almost surrounded by a chain of very beautiful lakes. These lakes are the home of the many kinds of fish adapted to this climate, and to this is attributed the fast growing popularity of Alexandria as a summer resort. It has also an enviable reputation as a center for sportsmen with both the rod and gun. It is a city of beauty and high grade in its every department, and its future promises everything desirable.

      The flowery words promoted the landscape and flavor of this town. A deeper understanding of why this is true can be found through pictures and images preserved and printed on postcards and shared with the public. The history of this trend was told by Monica Cure in a July 2, 2013, Minneapolis Star Tribune opinion page article: In this age of Instagram and Twitter, it is easy to forget how recently postcards were a principal way of sending images and short messages. When postcards were invented, they were a revolutionary technology—and caused their own uproar. A proposal by a German postal official Henrich von Stephan in 1865 to adopt an open post sheet, one side reserved for the recipient’s address and the other side with just enough space for a brief message, was rejected as too radical. Four years later, acceptance of the proposal was made by the public. Three million postcards passed through the post within the first three months. By the turn of the 20th century, vintage postcards became popular collectables.

      The search for vintage postcards of Alexandria uncovered an abundant collection that recorded all sorts of activities. What would it have been like to be a resident during those early years? Can one imagine a face-to-face conversation with these ordinary people who became extraordinary leaders? The images tell of the strength and integrity of the people who called this place home. Looking deeper into those images will take readers back in time. They will meet some of the people with a vision to make an impact on the growth and character of the town.

      The Kinkead brothers, settlers in 1858, arrived from the East Coast searching for land. They founded the town and established their homes. Threats of the Dakota War impacted the pioneers who were forced to abandon the village in 1860. Men left to serve in the Civil War. The end of the war brought the men home. The offer of free land through the Homestead Act brought stability and a fresh start for the small village.

      William Everett Hicks came on a fishing and hunting expedition, saw the potential for this place, and purchased the town site in 1866—the second beginning of Alexandria. Through postcard images, readers are able to witness his lasting legacy, beginning with his plan for the wide main street, on to several businesses he established, and finally to land donated for churches and schools.

      The arrival of the railroad in 1878 opened the door to tourism. A quote from historian Harold Anderson reads, Improved transportation brought new interest in the ideally located sport area so richly endowed with lakes, woods, game and fish. There is a charming hotel not far from the shores of one of these lakes, right in the town site, called the Letson House, built in 1880 by James Letson. This hotel is peculiarly adapted to the wants of sportsmen and pleasure seekers because they keep boats and fishing equipment for exclusive use of the guests. The railroad decided to offer special rates to persons wishing to visit this cool retreat.

      Postcards showing strings of fish, swimming beaches, and summer cottages give a glimpse into the fun times on these beautiful lakes. One component adding to the enjoyment of lake life came from Erick Boat Erickson. He left his legacy in the design and manufacturing of gasoline launches, sailboats, and wooden rowboats, called Lady of the Lakes.

      By examining the buildings closely on Main Street and watching them evolve from log to wood frame to brick, readers will see the commercial center begin to flourish. The 1903 Alexandria Post bragged of civic pride and a spirit of commercial activity which promises great things for the future. The village has been recipient of a new $10,000 Carnegie library that will give us one of the finest libraries in the state outside the great cities.

      Merchants advertised bargains of all sorts, often on floats created for street parades, carnivals, and festivals, which were held on an annual basis, seeming to involve the entire populace.

      The 1913 City Directory, published by John H. Ley, comprised of an alphabetically arranged list of business firms and private citizens, a miscellaneous directory, city and county officers, public and private schools, churches, banks, secret and benevolent societies, and a complete classified business directory and street guide. The price was $3. A number of clothing stores lined Main Street like Colbjornsen & Wegener, Eagle Clothing Company, Sheldon Clothing House, E.O. Unumb, Oppel & Company, Shoes and Boots, and Raiter Brothers. Also listed are five dressmakers and merchant tailors, dry goods shops and milliners, furriers and furniture stores, and one laundry, operated by Ling Lee. Six barbershops were listed: Austin Hopson, L.S. Kaiser, E.J. Levin, William McFarlane & Schulke, H.J. Stoppel, and H.T. Thompson. Two photographers, Johnson & Olson and A.V. Lindquist had studios on Main Street.

      The images that tell the story of Alexandria follow a pattern of people with a vision. Pioneer founders and merchants created jobs so that homes and churches could be built. Educational leaders assured that proper facilities accommodated the growing number of students, supportive staff, and extracurricular programs.

      School events began to include music, presenting elaborate operettas, band concerts, and plays. Students and adults formed basketball, baseball, football, and gymnastics teams. The class of 1909 was described as a very sociable

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