Edina Historical Society Quarterly Newsletter
Letter from the Executive Director
Heather Haeg, Executive Director
I am grateful for the chance to serve all of you as the new EHS Executive Director and I look forward to a busy and exciting year ahead. Last spring EHS conducted our first ever membership survey via email and we received an unprecedented response rate of 28%. The survey results confirmed that a majority of members are aware of our programs and exhibits but admitted that they have not engaged in many programs. However, they do intend to become more engaged. I will be working hard to solicit your involvement in all forms - as a volunteer, sponsoring an event, coming to an EHS program or writing an article for the newsletter. There are lots of ways to participate and we welcome member engagement! The survey also showed a loyal membership with more than 50% of respondents stating they have been members for 5 or more years. More than 60% indicated their membership was aligned with our mission, preserving and telling the stories of Edina’s history.
We will be doing another membership survey mid-year to measure membership trends and ensure we are providing value for you. Remember, your membership is 100% tax deductible. We hope you will voice your opinions on what you’d like to see from us in the future and let us know what’s going well and how we can improve.
EHS has made a significant investment in developing new curriculum for our Historic Cahill School program. Historian T.J. Malaskee worked with the Board of Directors and our interpretive staff to develop and launch this new curriculum for the 2019 school year. So far, the program has received rave reviews from teachers and students alike. The program aligns with state standards for Elementary Education and our interpreters are doing a wonderful job engaging young students, showing them our beautiful Cahill School and Minnehaha Grange Hall and sharing authentic experiences of children their age circa 1888. Excited students arrive (often in costume) with lunch pail in hand and are immediately immersed in the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other children of that period. This is a truly unique educational experience! Did you know the Cahill School is available for children’s birthday parties? Contact me at 612-928-4577 to schedule a one of a kind experience for your child and his/her friends.
Please watch our website for updates on exciting programs coming in 2019. We had a full house for 100 years of Christmas at Dayton’s and hope to see many of you at programs this upcoming year. Feel free to email me with any program ideas you may have at [email protected]. We love to hear from you!
Lastly, our annual meeting is set for Monday January 14th at 7 pm. Please join us for updates about all of the exciting happenings at EHS from our curator Stephen Barrett, Board President Bob Moore and myself.
We will be doing another membership survey mid-year to measure membership trends and ensure we are providing value for you. Remember, your membership is 100% tax deductible. We hope you will voice your opinions on what you’d like to see from us in the future and let us know what’s going well and how we can improve.
EHS has made a significant investment in developing new curriculum for our Historic Cahill School program. Historian T.J. Malaskee worked with the Board of Directors and our interpretive staff to develop and launch this new curriculum for the 2019 school year. So far, the program has received rave reviews from teachers and students alike. The program aligns with state standards for Elementary Education and our interpreters are doing a wonderful job engaging young students, showing them our beautiful Cahill School and Minnehaha Grange Hall and sharing authentic experiences of children their age circa 1888. Excited students arrive (often in costume) with lunch pail in hand and are immediately immersed in the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other children of that period. This is a truly unique educational experience! Did you know the Cahill School is available for children’s birthday parties? Contact me at 612-928-4577 to schedule a one of a kind experience for your child and his/her friends.
Please watch our website for updates on exciting programs coming in 2019. We had a full house for 100 years of Christmas at Dayton’s and hope to see many of you at programs this upcoming year. Feel free to email me with any program ideas you may have at [email protected]. We love to hear from you!
Lastly, our annual meeting is set for Monday January 14th at 7 pm. Please join us for updates about all of the exciting happenings at EHS from our curator Stephen Barrett, Board President Bob Moore and myself.
Letter from the Board President
Bob Moore
2019 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for EHS as we celebrate our 50th year of existence! The staff and board members have hit the ground running and all of us are looking forward to another year of exceptional programming and membership growth. I am very excited to announce that after an extensive search, Heather Haeg joined us in November as Executive Director (part-time). Heather comes to us with a background in history, education, marketing, sales and community service. She received a Master of Arts in Instruction and a B.A. in Political Science. As a former history teacher herself, she is passionate about the children’s programming at Historic Cahill School and looking forward to expanding this unique program. You may remember that we launched a new curriculum this fall (more about that in Heather’s update) and we are already receiving very positive reviews from both teachers and students. Originally from Bloomington, Heather has great connections to Edina and brings strong leadership skills to the executive director role. We are thrilled to have her onboard with us!
And I know you will join me in welcoming Stephen Barrett who accepted the position of part-time curator in December! Stephen first started with us as a contractor back in 2016, working on our inventory project which was funded by a grant we obtained through the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants program. As Stephen has literally and figuratively touched nearly every item in the museum, his knowledge of our collection, along with his background in collections management, will be a great asset to the organization and to any one coming in with questions as to what we have. Stephen has a Master of Arts in History and a B.A. in History. I encourage you to stop in and meet our new staff—we’re doing great things in our 50th year!
And I know you will join me in welcoming Stephen Barrett who accepted the position of part-time curator in December! Stephen first started with us as a contractor back in 2016, working on our inventory project which was funded by a grant we obtained through the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants program. As Stephen has literally and figuratively touched nearly every item in the museum, his knowledge of our collection, along with his background in collections management, will be a great asset to the organization and to any one coming in with questions as to what we have. Stephen has a Master of Arts in History and a B.A. in History. I encourage you to stop in and meet our new staff—we’re doing great things in our 50th year!
Membership
Kathy Kane
There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.
-- Margaret J. Wheatley, Ed.D.
Fifty years ago
On July 21, 1969, my brothers and I were allowed to stay up late to watch Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin land on the moon. Sitting on the family sofa, we were watching history in the making that night, though I’m sure none of us knew that.
Closer to home, another heroic effort was underway that summer, though it received less media attention. A group of Edina citizens recognized the need to act quickly to save the Historic Cahill School, which had been vacant and unprotected since its closing in 1958.
Working with the City of Edina, this group of determined residents raised the necessary funds to move the school from its original site near 70th and Cahill Road to its current location. A short while later, the Historic 1879 Minnehaha Grange Hall building was moved several hundred yards to the east to make way for the expansion of Highway 100. Together, these two historic buildings now reign over Frank Tupa Park at the intersection of Eden Avenue and Grange Road. And thus, the Edina Historical Society was born.
A Challenge is an Opportunity for Growth
Since 1972, historical programming has been offered to local school children at the Historic Cahill School, while historical exhibits, programs and speakers at the Minnehaha Grange Hall and EHS Museum have drawn adults interested in local history. Yet while hundreds of adults from Edina and surrounding areas take part in these events each year, only a small percentage of visitors are members of the Historical Society.
Membership dues and donations represent the Society’s most significant revenue stream. EHS receives only a small stipend from the City each year to help offset operational costs. Meanwhile, the cost of preserving historical artifacts and delivering high quality educational experiences through exhibits, programs and events continues to increase. To help meet our current and future financial needs, the Board of the Edina Historical Society has challenged itself to increase membership levels and grow our membership ranks to at least 1000 active memberships by the end of 2019.
A Challenge That Is Easy to Accept
The fact that you are reading this newsletter suggests you support our mission to collect, preserve and share the history of Edina. So how can you help? Here are the Top 10 ways you can support EHS in 2019:
In the next year, the Society plans to connect with as many residents and friends of Edina as possible. Your ideas and feedback are genuinely welcome and appreciated. When you support EHS, you are playing a big role in preserving and sharing Edina’s history.
Fifty years ago
On July 21, 1969, my brothers and I were allowed to stay up late to watch Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin land on the moon. Sitting on the family sofa, we were watching history in the making that night, though I’m sure none of us knew that.
Closer to home, another heroic effort was underway that summer, though it received less media attention. A group of Edina citizens recognized the need to act quickly to save the Historic Cahill School, which had been vacant and unprotected since its closing in 1958.
Working with the City of Edina, this group of determined residents raised the necessary funds to move the school from its original site near 70th and Cahill Road to its current location. A short while later, the Historic 1879 Minnehaha Grange Hall building was moved several hundred yards to the east to make way for the expansion of Highway 100. Together, these two historic buildings now reign over Frank Tupa Park at the intersection of Eden Avenue and Grange Road. And thus, the Edina Historical Society was born.
A Challenge is an Opportunity for Growth
Since 1972, historical programming has been offered to local school children at the Historic Cahill School, while historical exhibits, programs and speakers at the Minnehaha Grange Hall and EHS Museum have drawn adults interested in local history. Yet while hundreds of adults from Edina and surrounding areas take part in these events each year, only a small percentage of visitors are members of the Historical Society.
Membership dues and donations represent the Society’s most significant revenue stream. EHS receives only a small stipend from the City each year to help offset operational costs. Meanwhile, the cost of preserving historical artifacts and delivering high quality educational experiences through exhibits, programs and events continues to increase. To help meet our current and future financial needs, the Board of the Edina Historical Society has challenged itself to increase membership levels and grow our membership ranks to at least 1000 active memberships by the end of 2019.
A Challenge That Is Easy to Accept
The fact that you are reading this newsletter suggests you support our mission to collect, preserve and share the history of Edina. So how can you help? Here are the Top 10 ways you can support EHS in 2019:
- Volunteer to work at the Museum for a few hours. The Society welcomes your involvement. If interested, please call our Executive Director, Heather Haeg at 612-928-4877.
- When it’s time for membership renewal, consider increasing the level of your membership from Basic ($25) to Supporter ($100) or even Patron [$250].
- Renew your membership online, and offset costs by including the nominal transaction processing fee in your payment.
- Ensure your membership automatically renews every year by using a credit card to renew.
- Give a gift membership. Surprise your neighbor at Groundhog’s Day with a gift membership.
- Buy a student membership – only $10 – for your babysitter or favorite high schooler.
- Do you own or work for a company in Edina? Show your support with a business sponsorship for $250/year.
- Donate to our next exhibit or send a general donation to Edina Historical Society at 4711 W. 70th Street, Edina, MN 55435.
- Buy a tee-shirt at the Museum or Gear Running Store. All profits go directly to EHS. New designs and items will be introduced soon.
- Attend a program. Watch your email and our Facebook page for announcements of upcoming programs and events.
In the next year, the Society plans to connect with as many residents and friends of Edina as possible. Your ideas and feedback are genuinely welcome and appreciated. When you support EHS, you are playing a big role in preserving and sharing Edina’s history.
Create an Exhibit
Stephen Barrett
Have you ever wondered about what goes into the creation of a new exhibit at the Edina Historical Society? It all starts with a good idea, which must be supported by research and then brought to life using historical objects that captivate the audience and tell a compelling story. It’s a labor of love, but it requires a significant investment of time and money.
Creating a successful exhibit is one of the most daunting, and most rewarding, challenges faced by museum staff. In developing the central theme of an exhibit, it is important to answer the question, “so what?” What is the historical significance of the topic? Why is it important? What happened because of it, and what if it had never happened?
Once the theme has been selected, the time-consuming process of research and curation begins. What artifacts, documents, photographs and history are available to tell the story? How can we fill the gaps? Successful exhibits create an effective balance between visual interest and historical explanation.
Finally, it’s time to develop an attractive design for the display; one that is visually appealing to visitors and makes them curious to learn more. This may require construction/preparation of a new space that allows people to view the artifacts, while keeping them safely preserved. Adding an interactive component allows visitors to see/touch/hear/feel the artifacts, developing a greater connection with the subject.
Our current exhibit, No Place Like Home: Edina During World War I, opened in 2017. As we review ideas for the next exhibit, we need your help! If there's an Edina History topic you'd like to see as an exhibit, please send us your ideas at [email protected].
As we begin the work to create a new exhibit, financial donations are needed and greatly appreciated. You can donate online or by mailing a check to Edina Historical Society, 4711 West 70th Street, Edina, MN 55435. The Edina Historical Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit; your donation is tax deductible as allowed by law.
Creating a successful exhibit is one of the most daunting, and most rewarding, challenges faced by museum staff. In developing the central theme of an exhibit, it is important to answer the question, “so what?” What is the historical significance of the topic? Why is it important? What happened because of it, and what if it had never happened?
Once the theme has been selected, the time-consuming process of research and curation begins. What artifacts, documents, photographs and history are available to tell the story? How can we fill the gaps? Successful exhibits create an effective balance between visual interest and historical explanation.
Finally, it’s time to develop an attractive design for the display; one that is visually appealing to visitors and makes them curious to learn more. This may require construction/preparation of a new space that allows people to view the artifacts, while keeping them safely preserved. Adding an interactive component allows visitors to see/touch/hear/feel the artifacts, developing a greater connection with the subject.
Our current exhibit, No Place Like Home: Edina During World War I, opened in 2017. As we review ideas for the next exhibit, we need your help! If there's an Edina History topic you'd like to see as an exhibit, please send us your ideas at [email protected].
As we begin the work to create a new exhibit, financial donations are needed and greatly appreciated. You can donate online or by mailing a check to Edina Historical Society, 4711 West 70th Street, Edina, MN 55435. The Edina Historical Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit; your donation is tax deductible as allowed by law.
1888 Time Capsule
T.J. Malaskee
Introducing our New Field Trip Program
Students and teachers are excited about the unique opportunity to enjoy interactive, hands-on learning experiences when they visit the Historic Cahill School and 1879 Minnehaha Grange Hall. With our new curriculum, 1888 Time Capsule, they are learning more about Edina history as they participate in innovative, academic standards-based learning activities. Geared for first and second grade classes, the program leverages the most popular elements of earlier field trip experiences, while incorporating best practices of museum field trips and Minnesota Educational Standards.
The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards include thousands of learning benchmarks categorized by grade and subject. These standards define expectations for the educational achievement of students in grades K-12 and identify the knowledge and skills that students must achieve by the end of a grade. Recognizing the need to create a standards-based curriculum, The Board of Directors sought feedback from area teachers during the initial research phase of development and voted to make a significant investment in new programming to meet the academic needs of area students.
Four forty-minute lessons — School: Then & Now; It’s Chore Time, 1888; What’s Going on Here?; and Junior Grange Drill — make up this robust new program. All four lessons incorporate first and second grade history standards, as well as standards from other subjects ranging from English language arts, science, drama, mathematics and even physical education.
Throughout 1888 Time Capsule, emphasis has been placed on including meaningful events in local history. The choice of the year 1888 is significant -- 1888 is the year the Village of Edina was formed, and the Junior Grange was organized. It is also the year when the deadly “Children’s Blizzard” ravaged the upper Midwest, killing students and teachers on their way home from school or trapped without sufficient heat in one-room schoolhouses like our own Historic Cahill School.
These curriculum changes and the emphasis on local Edina history were immediately noticed and valued by teachers taking part in the inaugural 1888 Time Capsule field trips. One teacher commented, “We’ve been coming to Cahill School for five or six years, and we were never told anything about Edina, the Grange or shown any pictures from the past.”
Students and teachers are excited about the unique opportunity to enjoy interactive, hands-on learning experiences when they visit the Historic Cahill School and 1879 Minnehaha Grange Hall. With our new curriculum, 1888 Time Capsule, they are learning more about Edina history as they participate in innovative, academic standards-based learning activities. Geared for first and second grade classes, the program leverages the most popular elements of earlier field trip experiences, while incorporating best practices of museum field trips and Minnesota Educational Standards.
The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards include thousands of learning benchmarks categorized by grade and subject. These standards define expectations for the educational achievement of students in grades K-12 and identify the knowledge and skills that students must achieve by the end of a grade. Recognizing the need to create a standards-based curriculum, The Board of Directors sought feedback from area teachers during the initial research phase of development and voted to make a significant investment in new programming to meet the academic needs of area students.
Four forty-minute lessons — School: Then & Now; It’s Chore Time, 1888; What’s Going on Here?; and Junior Grange Drill — make up this robust new program. All four lessons incorporate first and second grade history standards, as well as standards from other subjects ranging from English language arts, science, drama, mathematics and even physical education.
- School: Then & Now looks at the changes in schools, education and technology between 1888 and the modern classrooms of today. Rather than “lecturing” to students, this lesson involves them in the discussion and includes an exploration of the Cahill School while incorporating the use of historic artifacts to learn about persons who lived in the past.
- It’s Chore Time, 1888 continues the theme of hands-on artifact exploration, encouraging students to discover more about the daily lives of children in 1888.
- What’s Going on Here? uses some of the Edina Historical Society’s most valuable artifacts as historic images (copied and enlarged to poster size) tell the story of notable early Edina residents, including Sarah Baird, the Bull family and Beverly and Ellen Yancey, former slaves who settled in Edina and became prominent local leaders.
- Junior Grange Drill focuses on the Grange and the important role that organization has played in the development of Edina. The lesson looks at the various components that make up a community and examines how the Grange filled those roles before public parks, swimming pools, malls, restaurants and other gathering spaces were available. Students also practice a traditional Junior Grange Drill, or choreographed march, to historic music.
Throughout 1888 Time Capsule, emphasis has been placed on including meaningful events in local history. The choice of the year 1888 is significant -- 1888 is the year the Village of Edina was formed, and the Junior Grange was organized. It is also the year when the deadly “Children’s Blizzard” ravaged the upper Midwest, killing students and teachers on their way home from school or trapped without sufficient heat in one-room schoolhouses like our own Historic Cahill School.
These curriculum changes and the emphasis on local Edina history were immediately noticed and valued by teachers taking part in the inaugural 1888 Time Capsule field trips. One teacher commented, “We’ve been coming to Cahill School for five or six years, and we were never told anything about Edina, the Grange or shown any pictures from the past.”
Curator's Corner
Stephen Barrett
Stephen Barrett, Curator
Here at the Edina Historical Society, we have been collecting and preserving Edina history for several decades. Some the treasures in our collection include clothes, toys, and even school and military memorabilia. And of course, you’ll find historical maps and documents, as well as a large collection of amazing original photographs.
One of the special items in our collection is a complete WWI era Army uniform which includes a jacket and soldier’s helmet. The helmet itself is made of metal and still has the leather chin-strap attached. The uniform pants and jacket are made of wool and date back to 1917. The patches on the sleeves of the jacket tell the story of this soldier’s journey in the Army through World War I. The blue polar bear patch on top of the sleeve indicates that he was part of a campaign known as the Polar Bear Expedition with troops being sent to Russia during the Russian Civil War.
Other patches include a red chevron which indicates the soldier’s official discharge from the military. Two small chevrons near the cufflink indicate that this person was in service for a full year, as he received one of these smaller chevrons for every six months of service. Finally, the patch on the right sleeve identifies the soldier’s rank and work assignment. The blue chevrons represent the rank of Corporal and the white castle represents the Army Engineer Corps.
These are just a few of the many wonderful treasures we have here at the Edina Historical Society; thousands of objects, documents and photographs, each with a story to tell. As the curator for the museum, it is my duty to preserve and protect all of these items so that future generations may enjoy them as we do now. Be on the lookout for the next hidden gem featured in future editions of the “Curator’s Corner.”
One of the special items in our collection is a complete WWI era Army uniform which includes a jacket and soldier’s helmet. The helmet itself is made of metal and still has the leather chin-strap attached. The uniform pants and jacket are made of wool and date back to 1917. The patches on the sleeves of the jacket tell the story of this soldier’s journey in the Army through World War I. The blue polar bear patch on top of the sleeve indicates that he was part of a campaign known as the Polar Bear Expedition with troops being sent to Russia during the Russian Civil War.
Other patches include a red chevron which indicates the soldier’s official discharge from the military. Two small chevrons near the cufflink indicate that this person was in service for a full year, as he received one of these smaller chevrons for every six months of service. Finally, the patch on the right sleeve identifies the soldier’s rank and work assignment. The blue chevrons represent the rank of Corporal and the white castle represents the Army Engineer Corps.
These are just a few of the many wonderful treasures we have here at the Edina Historical Society; thousands of objects, documents and photographs, each with a story to tell. As the curator for the museum, it is my duty to preserve and protect all of these items so that future generations may enjoy them as we do now. Be on the lookout for the next hidden gem featured in future editions of the “Curator’s Corner.”
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The Children's Blizzard of 1888
Nora Winther
2018 marks the 130th anniversary of the deadly Blizzard of 1888, which came to be called The Children’s Blizzard. One of the most significant events in Minnesota history, the blizzard is an important part of our new 1888 Time Capsule curriculum at Historic Cahill School. This innovative program combines an authentic one-room schoolhouse experience with Minnesota Education Standards-based lessons designed to engage students while telling the story of Minnesota history.
The winter of 1887-1888 had been a hard one -- bringing ice storms, snow storms, sleet and subzero temperatures. But on the morning of January 12th, the day dawned bright and clear, bringing a welcome reprieve of clear skies and warm sun. It appeared to be a “January thaw” and by noon, patches of snow and ice were even beginning to melt.
Few people were aware that a deadly storm was coming. Concerned that too many cold weather warnings were being sent, and believing that the weather was getting milder, the commander of the St. Paul office of the weather service (attached to the US Army Signal Corps) had decided not to issue a cold weather warning. Instead, the Weather Bureau’s prediction for January 12th said only that: "A cold wave is indicated for Dakota and Nebraska tonight and tomorrow; the snow will drift heavily today and tomorrow in Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin.”
It was the collision of an Arctic cold front formed in Canada with warm air from the Gulf of Mexico that precipitated the deadly blizzard. Within a few hours, temperatures dropped from a few degrees above freezing to −20 degrees in some areas. The cold was accompanied by high winds and heavy snow, striking Montana in the early morning of January 12, and sweeping through the plains. Over a period of seventeen hours between January 11 and 12, the storm covered 780 miles from Canada to Nebraska.
Unaware of the impending danger, settlers were enjoying the break from a harsh winter that had confined many people to their homes. Happy to be outdoors, children returned to school and farmers ventured into town to take care of business. But just as children were getting ready to return home from school in the afternoon, the storm hit without warning, catching most people by surprise and unprepared for a dangerous storm. Temperatures fell quickly and strong hurricane-like winds and powdery snow reduced the visibility to zero.
Carl Saltee, a teenage Norwegian immigrant in Fortier, Minnesota remembered that, "...on the 12th of January 1888 around noontime it was so warm it melted snow and ice from the window until after 1 p.m." By 3:30 p.m. "A dark and heavy wall builded up around the northwest coming fast, coming like those hevy [sic] thunderstorms, like a shot. In a few moments, we had the severest snowstorm I ever saw in my life with a terrible hard wind, like a hurrycane [sic], snow so thick we could not see more than 3 steps from the door at times."
The blinding snow was like blowing ice, freezing as it fell and causing whiteout conditions. Unable to see, people became lost and disoriented, some freezing to death within steps of their homes. Schoolteachers who were barely older than their students were forced to decide whether to keep the children in the school and ride out the storm, hoping the building would stand firm against the storm and that there would be enough wood to keep them warm, or to brave the elements and head for home. Both options were challenging as the violent storm raged.
It was the deadliest blizzard in Minnesota history, affecting nearly everyone in its path. Herds of livestock froze to death and it is estimated that somewhere between 250 and 500 people died that weekend. The most widely reported deaths were those of young schoolchildren. Ten-year-old Johnny Walsh of Avoca, Minnesota froze to death walking home from a neighbor’s house. Six siblings near Chester township, Minnesota froze to death while trying to make it home from school. They were found with their arms around each other in the snow. Some bodies were not recovered until the snow melted, and still others died in the weeks following the storm, of pneumonia and infection following amputations due to frostbite.
The winter of 1887-1888 had been a hard one -- bringing ice storms, snow storms, sleet and subzero temperatures. But on the morning of January 12th, the day dawned bright and clear, bringing a welcome reprieve of clear skies and warm sun. It appeared to be a “January thaw” and by noon, patches of snow and ice were even beginning to melt.
Few people were aware that a deadly storm was coming. Concerned that too many cold weather warnings were being sent, and believing that the weather was getting milder, the commander of the St. Paul office of the weather service (attached to the US Army Signal Corps) had decided not to issue a cold weather warning. Instead, the Weather Bureau’s prediction for January 12th said only that: "A cold wave is indicated for Dakota and Nebraska tonight and tomorrow; the snow will drift heavily today and tomorrow in Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin.”
It was the collision of an Arctic cold front formed in Canada with warm air from the Gulf of Mexico that precipitated the deadly blizzard. Within a few hours, temperatures dropped from a few degrees above freezing to −20 degrees in some areas. The cold was accompanied by high winds and heavy snow, striking Montana in the early morning of January 12, and sweeping through the plains. Over a period of seventeen hours between January 11 and 12, the storm covered 780 miles from Canada to Nebraska.
Unaware of the impending danger, settlers were enjoying the break from a harsh winter that had confined many people to their homes. Happy to be outdoors, children returned to school and farmers ventured into town to take care of business. But just as children were getting ready to return home from school in the afternoon, the storm hit without warning, catching most people by surprise and unprepared for a dangerous storm. Temperatures fell quickly and strong hurricane-like winds and powdery snow reduced the visibility to zero.
Carl Saltee, a teenage Norwegian immigrant in Fortier, Minnesota remembered that, "...on the 12th of January 1888 around noontime it was so warm it melted snow and ice from the window until after 1 p.m." By 3:30 p.m. "A dark and heavy wall builded up around the northwest coming fast, coming like those hevy [sic] thunderstorms, like a shot. In a few moments, we had the severest snowstorm I ever saw in my life with a terrible hard wind, like a hurrycane [sic], snow so thick we could not see more than 3 steps from the door at times."
The blinding snow was like blowing ice, freezing as it fell and causing whiteout conditions. Unable to see, people became lost and disoriented, some freezing to death within steps of their homes. Schoolteachers who were barely older than their students were forced to decide whether to keep the children in the school and ride out the storm, hoping the building would stand firm against the storm and that there would be enough wood to keep them warm, or to brave the elements and head for home. Both options were challenging as the violent storm raged.
It was the deadliest blizzard in Minnesota history, affecting nearly everyone in its path. Herds of livestock froze to death and it is estimated that somewhere between 250 and 500 people died that weekend. The most widely reported deaths were those of young schoolchildren. Ten-year-old Johnny Walsh of Avoca, Minnesota froze to death walking home from a neighbor’s house. Six siblings near Chester township, Minnesota froze to death while trying to make it home from school. They were found with their arms around each other in the snow. Some bodies were not recovered until the snow melted, and still others died in the weeks following the storm, of pneumonia and infection following amputations due to frostbite.
New, Renewed & Gifted Memberships
Allen County Public Library, Carolyn Anderson, John & Judy Aronson , Tami Block, Steve & Rena Bonello, Ann Burbidge, Dave & Lu Ann Carter, Kathleen Carter, Nikki Carter, Paul & Kerry Carter, Tom Carter, Kerry Clark, John & Jeanne Cummings, Nora Davis, Michaela Diercks, Nancy Dosen, Marcia Evans & Bill Dubbs, Jennifer Duesman, Don & Helen Duncan, Katherine Ellgen, John Engler, Pacy Erck, Mark Ericksen, Nancy Erickson, John & Therese Fitch, John Flynn, Molly & Max Forster, Robert & Janis Froemming, Kim & Adam Gillick, Mike & Sharon Goergen, Daniel Grobani, Heather & Peter Haeg, Gwen & Mike Hagen, Kaki Haug, John & Jean Hedberg, Sarah Hromada, Willard & Laurie Ikola, Brad Johnson, Janet & Gordon Johnson, Richard C. Johnson, Gary Judson, Anne Kane, Bill & Zena Kane, Kathy Kane, Patricia Kane, Stephen & Joan Kane, Barb & Babak Kusha, Connie Larson, Hannah Larson, Jane Larson, Philip & Susan Larson, Roisin & Gary Laskin, Susan Latta, Laurie LaVigne, Mary Lawrence, Tim Layeux, Tom Lewis, Pat Mahoney, Meg & Jim Mannix, Karen & Doug McElrath, Bob Moore, Barb Murphy, Diane Nagengast, Ann Niemann, Charlotte Nudell, Lon & Nancy Oberpriller, Clinton & Carol Odell, Jane Oelfke, Rob & Tammy Olsen, Dudley & Peg Parsons, Joanna Pendergast, Kim Pendergast, Susan H. Plank, Kirstan Price, Janet Rauch, Diane & Louis Rentschler, Robert Rofidal, Betts Rogers & Peter Wittig, Sally & Greg Schmale, Pam & Dennis Schulstad, Jim & Radonna Schwarz, Richard Schwarz, Elena & Mark Sifferlin, Ronald D. Sit, Nancy Snow, Nadine Stoner, Peter Sussman, Susy Sweeney, Carol & Robert Thompson, Rich & Marie Thorpe, Betsey & Ed Violante, Emily VonVett, Sue & Dick Ward, Susan P. Westhafer, Nora Winther, Donald W. Wray
In Memory
Delores (Casey) Heyer, Eva Duncan Johnson and LaVonn (Bonnie) Yuvaraj
Gift-In-Kind Donors
Elise Cross, Gretchen Sewich, Nora Winther and Juli Wunder-Simmons
Help Wanted!
Calling all local historians, we are looking for volunteers who love Edina history to help us research and write articles about Edina’s rich history for our newsletter and Facebook posts. To learn more, contact [email protected].
