USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
Broadway, the principal business street, is 100 feet wide, and runs north and south, extending from the short of Fountain lake to the southern limits of the city. Parallel with Broadway on the west is Washington street, on the east Newton street, and inter- secting are Water, Clark, William. Main, College and Pearl streets, within this territory being located nearly all the business houses. Scattering from this center are the various large and small industries which help to produce the wealth and extend the fair name of our city throughout the country.
The railroad facilities are unsurpassed, there being five lines of railroads, radiating in ten directions, being second only to the Twin Cities in this respect. Four of the five have division head- quarters here, and on this solid foundation rests the present pros- perity and future prospects of the city.
Both in religious and educational institutions. Albert Lea is unexcelled by any city of its size in the United States. The public school buildings comprise the central group, including the high school building, which represents an investment of $150.000, and
274
JOSEPH P. HURLEY
275
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
two ward school buildings which bring the grand total to over $200,000. For higher education there is Albert Lea College for Women, Luther Academy, the latter a Lutheran preparatory col- lege, and the new Catholic parochial school in charge of the . devout sisters of that church. The Albert Lea Business College and National Business College, both thriving commercial schools, provide facilities for commercial training.
Poets may sing the legendary stories of the cities of the old world and painters depict the beauties of earth and sky, but if all the stories and pictures of the most talented geniuses of the past were rolled into one, the result would not provide a place on earth where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness may be more near- ly realized than in beautiful, romantic, fascinating Albert Lea.
According to the federal census of 1910, Albert Lea has a pop- ulation of 6,192, but this is not a fair indication of the actual pop- ulation, as North Albert Lea, just outside the corporate limits, has a population of about 700, and there are a large number of homes in Edgewater and other suburban additions outside of the limits. Without doubt the population of the city at the present time is 7,500.
The postoffice and village of Albert Lea received their name in the summer of 1855. One evening, George S. Ruble, Joseph Wil- ford and Lorenzo Merry met by chance in a tent on Ruble's prop- erty and decided to name the settlement after the lake. The post- office for a time was known as "Lake Albert Lea." In the earliest days the settlement here was commonly known as "Ruble's," and was usually thus designated by travelers.
Parks-While enjoying all the material advantages of most cities, Albert Lea is well supplied with breathing spots for the grown-up citizens and playgrounds for the youngsters.
City Park, which was given to the city by Lorenzo Merry and was platted with the village in 1856, is located two blocks west of Broadway, between Clark and Water streets. It is one city block in size, lying in front of the central school buildings, and provides a delightful playground for the children and a resting place in the warm summer days. Here are given the band concerts and other public gatherings are held. Its beautiful lawn and handsome flo- ral decorations, which are provided and cared for by the park board, make it a most delightful place to spend a few minutes or as many hours.
Spring Lake Park, also located within three blocks of Broad- way, is a striking example of the changes that come with the growth and development of a city. When the first settlers came here, they found a lake located where Spring Lake Park is now platted, extending, however, somewhat beyond the limits of the present park. This was a beautiful sheet of water and was used
276
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
extensively for watering stock. It was given the name of Merry's Little Lake. There are still living pioneers who as boys went in swimming on what is now Main street, west of Washington. This lake continued to exist for many years. Its name was changed to Morin's lake, and in time became known as Spring lake. Its waters were eventually drained into Fountain lake, and aside from the park, the electric light plant, a blacksmith shop and many residences occupy its site. The area of the park was deeded to the city in 1880 by William Morin, Clarence Wedge and Mary F. Armstrong. A great sewer emptying into Lake Albert Lea gives drainage to the original depression and the site of the park is filled in. The park is still in the progress of development. but in a short time will be seeded and beautified with flowers and fo- liage, if the present plans of the park board are carried out as speedily as anticipated.
Frank Hall Park, located southeast of the city and overlooking beautiful Albert Lea lake, was donated to the city by the well- known pioncer citizen of Albert Lea. Little has been done to add to its natural beauties, although citizens of that part of the city and the park board have great and glorious plans for the future. Some filling has been done, but it will require considerable time and money to make it into a desirable playground for the people.
Armstrong Park, a small triangular piece of ground between Fountain, Grove and West streets, was donated by Augustus Arm- strong. While small, it adds a share to the beauty of that most delightful residence section and will be particularly useful since the City and County Hospital has been located just to the west of it.
Lake Drive. Supplementing and completing, as it were, the park system, there is a beautiful drive, extending from Fountain street, south and west of Fountain lake, along the shores of that lake for five miles. Running along the bank of the lake to Hatch bridge, it follows the shore line of the lake in its winding course, along the high banks of Bancroft creek, crosses the creek and con- tinues east and south to the dam between Fountain and Albert Lea lakes, joining Bridge street at that point. It is one of the most delightful, picturesque and charming drives to be found anywhere in the country, and with the additions and improve- ments which are bound to come with the growth and development of the city, is destined one day to be as well known and famous as some of those we hear so much about at present. It was cont- pleted in 1880, and to Augustus Armstrong, more than to any other individual, is due the credit for creating it.
Paving. The first paving was done in Albert Lea in the sum- mer of 1908. One block of the alley between William and Main streets was laid with brick. For several years the question had
277
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
been agitated, but in the absence of petitions from property own- ers the city council refused to order paving put in. In 1908 a ma- jority of the property owners on Broadway for the three blocks between Clark and College streets, and the block on Clark street between Broadway and Washington, petitioned the city council to put in paving. After investigating the merits of the various pav- ing materials, the council passed an ordinance calling for bids for paving those streets with either brick or creosote wood blocks. Af- ter considerable discussion pro and con the council finally let the contract for creosote block paving to Fielding & Shepley, of St. Paul. When this was completed and put in use the advantage of well-paved streets appealed strongly to most of the property own- ers in the business section, and in 1910 another contract was awarded to the same firm for the same material, which brought the total number of blocks of paving up to twenty-three. The same year several blocks of brick paving were put in the alleys in the business section. In 1911 a contract was again awarded to Fielding & Shepley for sufficient paving to bring the grand total up to fifty blocks, with eleven blocks of brick paving in the al- leys. Creosote block was used in all the work on the streets, ex- cept on the steep grades, where sandstone was placed. In three years, or at the close of the building season of 1911, practically the entire business section has been paved, and the citizens gen- erally are so well pleased with paved streets that there is little question but that the next two or three years will see practically all the better residence sections with paved streets.
Street Lighting. Charles H. Farnsworth was given an electric light franchise in 1886. November 1 a few lights were strung and the switch was turned by Hon. John A. Lovely. The system was in full operation December 6, 1886. C. G. Edwards became Farns- worth's partner and the firm became Farnsworth & Edwards. The service was not satisfactory, and on July 22, 1889, the council de- cided to adopt a system of gasoline street lighting, and October 21, 1889, ordered the street lights removed. The gasoline system was then used until November 19, 1895, when the streets were again il- luminated by electricity, a contract having been let to the Albert Lea Electric Light Co. The Albert Lea Electric Light Co. was organized to succeed Farnsworth & Edwards, July 1, 1893. The officers of the new company were C. G. Edwards, S. S. Ed- wards, S. H. Cady, Harry Jones and W. E. Todd. The cap- ital stock was placed at $35,000, of which $25,000 was paid in. Various attempts at municipal ownership of the electric light plant have been made. In 1889 it was proposed that the city buy the Farnsworth & Edwards plant. The same year an ordinance was passed authorizing the city to con- tract for a municipal electric light system, but the contract
278
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
was never signed. In the early nineties a tax levy of $3,000 was made for a municipal electric light system, but after consid- erable agitation and discussion, the movement for a municipal plant lagged and died out entirely. A majority of people still clung to the hope that competition in the lighting business would compel the company to give better service and lower rates, so in 1901, when Frank Moore Jeffery came here and proposed to install a gas-making plant, he was received with open arms. Public meetings were held and his proposition for a franchise was en- dorsed. Conforming to what seemed the strong demand of the people, the city council granted him a franchise which practically covered the city. Shortly after this Jeffery disposed of his inter- ests to the older company, and both electric and gas-lighting sys- tems were consolidated, the Albert Lea Light & Power Co. being organized to take them over. Since that time both plants have been greatly improved, and while the service has been good and the company has once voluntarily reduced the price of electricity during the past ten years, many citizens still think the rates higher than they should be. This sentiment has lain dormant for the past few years, and the people seem to have settled down to the acceptance of the rates now charged as the lowest that can be se cured at present. The present curb lighting of the business streets was installed in 1907, under a five-year contract signed by the city council on February 7 of that year. While it costs more than the old arc system, the beauty and attractiveness of it has carried the name and fame of Albert Lea to every corner of the country. On Broadway there is a standard with a cluster of three incandescent lights, under large white globes, six to a block, while on Main street, between the two principal railroad depots as well as the entire length of West College street, standards with a single globe, six to the block, make these streets a rarely beautiful sight at night.
Waterworks. Many discussions finally saw fruit in the instal- lation of a city waterworks plant, put in operation November 5, 1891. Previous to that time water for fire protection was secured from a number of cisterns located at various points about the city, with a number of wharfs located on the shores of Fountain lake, where the firemen could locate the fire engine in times of necessity. The supply for private use was secured from wells and the numer- ous flowing springs about the lake, some fifty or sixty in number. The pumping station was located on the shore of Fountain lake, near the head of Broadway, where the first well-eight inches in diameter and 660 feet deep-was dug. The original plant, the mains for which were mostly eight inches, extended from the pumping station to College street, thence to the water tower, lo- cated in the block bounded by Broadway, College, Newton and Main streets : west on College to the Gilbert house, thence to South
279
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
Pearl to the Southern Minnesota depot. From Broadway a main followed Clark to Adams, thence to College, thence to the Union depot. A main also led from Broadway one block west, thence. io Fountain street. The usual hydrants were provided at frequent intervals. E. K. Sykes was the contractor, W. W. Curtiss drew the plans and D. F. Stacy was the local engineer. The council committee in charge of the original work was Adam Weigand, C. W. Ranson, W. A. Morin and C. M. Wilkinson. To keep pace with the growth of the city and supply the increasing demand for water, it was necessary nine years later to dig a second well -- twelve inches in diameter and 448 feet deep-near the first one. With the two wells the supply has been ample and will take care of the growth of the city for some years to come. From time to time, as demand was made by the citizens, the water mains have been extended, until now the system covers practically every sec- tion within the corporate limits and totals eleven miles in extent. The capacity of the plant is 1,000,000 gallons per day. Several days during the past summer, when the weather was warm and dry, 700,000 gallons were pumped during twenty-four hours, while the average per day during the past year has been 450,000 gallons each twenty-four hours. The normal pressure is fifty pounds, and when a fire emergency demands, 100 pounds pressure can easily be reached. At present there are 900 patrons. The present superin- tendent, W. S. Beedle, has been in charge of the plant since 1902, and has proven himself a capable and competent manager.
Sewers. Although the first sewerage system was put in in the fall of 1897, for the next ten years practically nothing further was done until some three years ago. The original sewer was laid in the alleys behind the principal business streets and covered the territory embraced in the territory between Newton street on the east to the Minneapolis & St. Louis depot on the west, in the al- leys on both sides of Broadway from Water to College streets, south to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, taking in a section on both sides of the latter and extending east to the outlet in Albert Lea lake. Three years ago a contract for a trunk sewer carrying both drainage and sanitary sections was let to Tanner Bros. of Minneapolis at a cost of $30,763.75. This trunk sewer was necessary before the sewerage system could be further ex- tended, as the capacity of the old trunk sewer was used with the section already covered. The new trunk sewer, which is 33x44, horseshoe shape, with a twelve-inch pipe for drainage, begins at the north side of Main street in the center of St. Mary, continues east of the Albert Lea Light & Power plant, south to College street. Here the sanitary sewer is enlarged to 36x48, continuing down Pearl, east on Pearl to Newton. At this point the sewer separates, the sanitary sewer continuing easterly to the lake. The
280
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
sanitary sewer passes east under the Rock Island tracks to a point just west of the Milwaukee bridge, where an inverted syphon silts the sewage two and one-half feet into a concrete sewer which runs 1300 feet to the outlet in Albert Lea lake. In order to get the proper fall the sewer at the point where it reaches the bridge was lower than the level of the lake, hence the necessity of the lift to raise it into the lake. With this trunk sewer completed the laterals are being rapidly exended to all parts of the city and within the next two or three years every part of the residence sections will be able to have connection with a good sewerage system. City Engineer William Barneck, who has planned and watched the construction of practically all of the work, estimates the cost of the sewers so far built at $60,000 and that the system contemplated was only about one-fourth completed.
Telephones. An early telephone system was installed by Frank Fobes. On December 4, 1893, he applied to the city council for a franchise and on December 14, 1893, the council by resolution granted the franchise. It was very general in its terms and gave him the use of the streets throughout the city. During 1894 he installed the system, at an approximate cast of $6,000. He contin- ued in charge of the business until 1900, when his health failed and F. W. Barlow was appointed guardian for him by the Probate Court and took charge of the business. On January 17, 1901, he sold the business to Seward H. Cady for $10,000. January 17, 1901, the Albert Lea Telephone Co. was organized with a capital of $15,000, and on March 7 following Mr. Cady transferred the business to that company. This company gradually enlarged the plant, George W. Johnson being manager for the company, and while there was more or less complaint from the patrons on the service, there was no particular agitation of the subject until 1905, when the Tri-State Telephone Co. applied to the council for per. mission to enter the city and establish an exchange.
A year or so previous to this time the Northwestern Telephone Co. had purchased a controlling interest in the local company, and although the citizens generally were in the mood to welcome com- petition in the telephone business, the ahnost unanimous sentiment was to try to get both companies to combine in one exchange and thus avoid the double charge for a complete service. The North- western Company declined to enter into such an arrangement and the city council appeared determined to compel them to do so. An ordinance was passed by the council ordering the Northwestern Company to remove their poles and lines from certain streets which it was understood the original franchise did not cover, but before the city authorities could enforce it the telephone company secured first a temporary injunction and later a permanent one, forbidding the city authorities interfering with the present system.
281
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
The Northwestern Company, however, offered to improve and ex- tend the service, and while a majority of the citizens desired that they be given an opportunity to do so, the city council and the mayor, defeated in their efforts to curb the old company. then granted the Tri-State the right to enter the city, under certain re- strictions as to the price to be charged for telephones and pro- viding for putting the wires underground in the business and cer- tain parts of the residence section. While this competition brought a slight reduction in the charges-the old company charging $2.50 per month for business phones and the rate the Tri-State could charge being limited to $2.00-the users found that in order to get a complete service both telephones must be used.
Following the granting of the franchise to the Tri-State, that company promptly secured ground in the business section, erected a building and installed a complete local exchange. All the wires downtown and in most of the residence section were placed under- ground. Their business grew steadily until they now have a list of about 1280, including the farmers, who are directly connected with the local exchange. The total cost of the plant is approxi- mately $60,000. The Northwestern Company, from the necessity of meeting the competition of the new company, has improved and enlarged its plant, and although not having as large a list of local patrons, has the advantage of a more extensive long distance service. Its local plant represents about the same investment as the other company, or nearly $60,000. With the total number of telephone users divided between the two companies, the tele- phone situation has settled down to a long distance contest, which will probably remain as it is until such time as one or the other succeeds in gaining a monopoly of the business throughout the country. The consensus of opinion seems to be that the telephone business is a natural monopoly, which, when properly regulated by law, will give patrons the cheapest and best service where one company occupies the field alone.
Fire Department-The first meeting of Engine Company No. 1 was called to order July 18, 1879, by Rev. J. R. Chambers. J. R. Richards was appointed secretary pro tem, and officers were elected as follows : Foreman, James Allen ; assistant foreman, An- son Peck; foreman of hose, Charles Soth; assistant foreman of hose, J. J. Bond ; treasurer, N. O. Narveson ; secretary, J. R. Rich- ards. A constitution was accepted July 26 of the same year and F. B. Fobes was elected chief. The department was then situated in the old city hall. The apparatus was meagre compared with the present modern equipment, but was then considered the best of its class. Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1. was organ- ized September 14, 1888, with E. H. Ellickson, foreman ; H. I. Han- son, assistant foreman ; S. O. Simonson, secretary, and P. A. Nel-
282
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
son, treasurer. The two companies were organized as a depart- ment the same day. W. P. Sergeant was elected chief of depart- ment. Since then the department has developed and expanded until in 1895 a Fire Relief Association was organized, with : Pres- ident, Adam Wiegand ; vice president, E. W. Knatvold ; secretary, C. E. Brainerd; treasurer, H. Wohlhuter; board of trustees, Messrs. Simonson and Gunderson. In the fall of 1909 this asso- ciation completed a splendid auditorium. It has also paid out ad- equate sums to injured members, though fortunately accidents have been few.
With the modern chemical apparatus that the company pos- sess they can kill the better part of the fire without even turning on water. It is an established fact that Albert Lea has the most efficient fire department in the northwest for a city of its size. "Bill" Mitchell, former chief, was well known from the Atlantic to Alaska, and everywhere between, as a fire-fighter. He led the department for twenty years and brought it to a state of perfec- tion. His sterling qualities as a man were fully exemplified as a fire-fighter. The department in his charge consisted of six men, with driver, always on duty, twenty active volunteers, who ran at the tap of the bell, and fifteen honorary members. The apparatus consisted of one combination chemical and hose wagon, one large. hose wagon, one sixty-foot Segrave hook and ladder, one team with swinging harness and an electric fire alarm system.
Mr. Mitchell resigned in January, 1911, and on January 22 . A. F. Wohlhuter was elected chief by the department, the city council confirming the election on January 27, 1911. The present officers and members of the department, together with the officers of the Relief Association, follow :
A. F. Wohlhuter, chief ; H. Stotz, first assistant chief; H. Soth. second assistant chief; C. E. Brainerd, foreman ; J. J. Sullivan, secretary ; Oscar Subby, treasurer; \V. C. Mitchell, J. B. Clay- borne, C. W. Turnbull, Alf Larson, Ed Donahue, Theo. Nelson, W. E. Bickford, H. Behr, S. Severson, J. Smith, C. Mason, George Bettinger, N. C. Nelson, V. Stoop, Alex. Larson, Art Jensen, Al Jensen. The officers of the Relief Association are: A. F. Wohl- huter, president; J. J. Sullivan, vice president ; C. E. Brainerd, secretary ; H. Stotz, treasurer.
City Hall and Engine House. Soon after the city was organ- ized a temporary tool shed was provided for city tools. An engine house was erected in the summer of 1879 on lots presented to the city by William Morin and Thomas H. Armstrong, the location be- ing on Main street, west of Broadway. The engine house was ready for occupancy in January, 1880. In 1885 a story was added for assembly purposes and cells constructed in the rear. A bell tower was added in 1893. This building was used until December
283
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
23, 1903, when the present handsome brick and stone building, located on North Broadway, was ready for occupancy. It is a handsome three-story building, 44x123, of red sandstone and pressed brick, with St. Cloud granite columns, and cost, with the grounds on which it is located, a total of $30,189.77. E. F. Warren was the architect, Baker & Baker the general contractors and Thomas Walsh superintended the construction.
The lower floor is occupied by the fire department team and equipment in front, the offices of the city engineer and chief of po- lice, with the city jail in the rear. On the second floor is the office of the city clerk and the council chamber. The third floor is given over to the members of the fire department who are constantly on duty, and used for sleeping rooms, billiard hall, library, gymna- sium and the like. In the rear is the municipal court room.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.