Thursday, July 12, 2012

Volume 97; Number 3

www.bladepublishing.net

A community newspaper serving Browerville, MN and surrounding areas. USPS 067-560

The Todd County Fair: A Walk Down Memory Lane

riage teams, mules, cattle, oxen, sheep, swine, poultry, farming implements, dairy, household articles, domestic manufactures, fine arts, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Early documents of the first Todd County fair state The first day of the fair was cold and cloudy, but the sun came out in the afternoon. Farmers came from all over the county, bringing in potatoes, cabbage, corn, and livestock. The opera house served as a floral [exhibit] hall where fine arts, needlework, vegetables, fruit, and grain were displayed. Another document recorded The organizers were disappointed with the lack of grain displays, just one oat, one wheat, and three corn displays were presented. They hoped for more wheat displays, since 1883 was a bumper year for wheat. The exhibit of the livestock was also light. One of the documented highlights of the first fair was an address by Mrs. Van Cleve of St. Paul (originally of Long Prairie), who talked about early history of Todd County and Long Prairie entitled Our Girls. There was also a reunion of Civil War veterans at the first fair. Despite farmers initial worry, the first fair was a financial success and all expenses were paid. The success of the first fair got the ball rolling and there has been a Todd County Fair ever since, even through two world wars, droughts, and the depression. In 1885, Todd County successfully held its third annual county fair on September 29th and 30th. A featured event of the fair was a baby contest, in which babies were judged for looks and health. Entertainment was provided by the Long Prairie Cornet Brass Band. In 1915, an Agricultural building was constructed. The fair was a growing proposition in 1915, and the ag building was constructed to meet a need for more space. The structure was built in August for a cost of $1,500. The building was used to display township and farmers club exhibits, floral exhibits, and farm produce. It also served as a dormitory for 4-H exhibitors. The Womens building, which had originally been a roller-skating rink, was moved to the fairgrounds at about this time as well. A poultry building was constructed in time for the 1915 fair, which featured an aeroplane that made daily flights Continued on page 16

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The grandstand on the Todd County Fairgrounds is one of the oldest buildings on the grounds. The grandstand was first built sometime before 1912, but exact records were lost in a fire in the 1930s. Over the past century the grandstand has undergone many renovations and additions to fit larger crowds. By Tarissa Host Several meetings were held in Take a walk down memory lane. the summer of 1883 to organize the This time we go back to 1883. We fair. Planning for the fair began in walk the streets of Long Prairie to July 1883 with a meeting. At the see horses pulling buggies full of first meeting, M. Rodman was women in summer dresses, coat elected chair and J.H. Sheets was and trousers clad men, and chil- elected secretary and John Wait, dren in breeches and pinafores. W. Gutches, and Wm E. Lee formed They are all off to the first Todd a fair committee. County Fair. An organizational meeting of They get out of their buggy at the Todd County Agricultural the Powell Opera House, where Society was held in August 1883. they will see exhibits from around Officers were elected as follows: the county. Men visit with friends John Wait, president; M. Rodman, and discuss things such as the vice president, J.I. Bell, secretary; weather and crop outlook. Women and Wm E. Lee, treasurer. head off to the Womens building to Directors included: J.F. Locke, A.H. admire needlework and fine arts Hendrickson, Wm Powell, A presented by women from around Murphy, Tom Ward, and P.W. the county. Children run around Fuller. A special finance committee the make-shift livestock pens play- of R. Handy, S.C. Lee, G.N. ing with the animals. Bressler, and I. Reichert was The first Todd County Fair was formed. held September 26 and 27 of 1883. There was some skepticism at The organizers of the very first first about the project and the Todd County Fair back in 1883 newspaper reported that many hoped the event would enjoy a long farmers did not join the newly run, but it is doubtful many of formed Todd County Agricultural them thought the fair would be Society for fear of being stuck with rolling around 129 years later. the fairs expense. Back in 1883, the Todd County Despite their fears, the first Argus newspaper was a big con- Todd County Fair was held in tributor to the fair. The editor September of 1883 at the Powell wrote (in regards to the first Opera House in Long Prairie. At fair):Let Sept. 26-27, 1883 be the the time sheds and stalls were built beginning of a long series of annu- for the livestock next to the opera al gatherings [at the Todd County house with donated lumber. The Fair] of the farmers, mechanics, fair moved to the present fairbusinessmen, and all true citizens grounds in 1884. of Todd County, which will aid in The first fair revolved around making them a united and pros- the farming community, featuring perous community. stallions, brood mares, colts, car-

By Rin Porter The renovation of the Todd County Historic Courthouse in Long Prairie, completed in June 2012, includes a new heating and cooling system, making use of the latest energy-efficient technology. The Historic Courthouse joins several other public buildings in Central Minnesota including the Wilkin County Courthouse and Onamia Public Schools using geothermal energy systems to heat and cool their buildings. The contract for the geothermal system was awarded to K. Johnson Construction of Sauk Rapids for $108,500. Ground-source heat pumps provide whole-building heating and cooling using the earths heat, hence the name geo-thermal. The earths temperature near the surface is 58 degrees year round. More than two dozen geothermal heat-exchanger wells were sunk under the Historic Courthouse parking lot by KJohnson Construction at the beginning of the renovation project during the summer of 2011. Four heating and cooling loops composed of 15,500 feet of geothermal piping were installed in the ground connecting the wells. The loops are filled with an environmentally safe antifreeze solution which transfers heat or cold fluid through the system, and run into and out of the building, bringing heat in winter and cooling in summer. (See kjohnsonconst.com/projectsgallery/alternative-energy/) Twenty-seven heat pumps are installed in the ceilings of the first and second levels of the Historic Courthouse. They transfer heat or cooling from the antifreeze solution to the air, and an air handling system circulates the heated or cooled air throughout the building. There is no need for a furnace or for an air conditioning system. A Metasys computerized building management system (BMS) designed by Johnson Controls allows county custodial staff to operate the Historic Courthouse heating and cooling system, as well as the systems of three other related county buildings, from one computer station. Staff can change temperature settings, change the mix of warm and cool air circulating in the building, and monitor motor speeds. The new equipment in the HVAC system includes six new energy-effi- Continued on page 16

Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling Systems will keep operating expenses low in Historic Courthouse

More than two dozen geothermal heat-exchanger wells were sunk under the Historic Courthouse parking lot.

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT

Wed. July 11 Partly Cloudy 84/63 Thur. July 12 Mostly Sunny 85/65 Fri. July 13 Isolated T-Storms 85/68 Sat. July 14 Partly Cloudy 84/66 Sun. July 15 Partly Cloudy 85/66 Mon. July 16 T-Storms 84/66