The wayside tavern/hotel was so small, it was nicknamed the “Seven by Nine.” It was often so crowded that the innkeeper and his wife slept in their chairs while renting out their own bed. About six miles west of Brownsville, on the old Brownsville-to-Caledonia portion of the Territorial Road in Union Township, Houston County, it was a welcome stopover in the 1850s for weary … [Read more...]
Won’t You Wear Purple on October 19?
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. On Thursday, October 19, everyone is encouraged to wear purple to show their support and to increase awareness of domestic violence. This year’s theme is “Everyone Knows Someone.” Statistics show that one in four women and one in seven men will become a victim of some sort of domestic violence in their lifetime, … [Read more...]
10 Hot Air Balloons Will Take to the Sky Over Caledonia
By Charlene Corson Selbee The Caledonia Balloon Rally was started in 1990 and is the only balloon rally south of Rochester, Minn., and has become an annual event. This year, the rally is scheduled for October 20-22. The 10 hot air balloons are coming from Minnesota, the surrounding states of Wisconsin and Iowa, and one is coming from South Dakota. They will lift off from … [Read more...]
Uffda Fest is Back
The community of Spring Grove, Minn., has come together to resurrect the town’s former festival, Uffda Fest. The fall festival celebrates the town’s Norwegian heritage and promotes the town’s vibrant downtown. The festival takes place October 6-8. Trivia question. What does uffda mean? The word uffda as defined by Wikipedia is “of Norwegian origin, the phrase was brought by … [Read more...]
Culture and Community: Where People Discover God’s Country
For anyone who has ever travelled from Chatfield to Fountain on Highway 52, they’ve observed “God’s Country.” They’ve seen it spray painted bold and black on a 70-year-old steel farm building full of round hay bales. Tom, who grew up in Rochester, Minn., discovered God’s Country when he was just a kid. He recalls when he was about nine years old, he would ride a Jefferson … [Read more...]
Streams, Bluffs, Snow and Parched Corn
There were 17 committees that worked in preparation for a three-day Houston County diamond anniversary (75 years) homecoming celebration in 1929. The Historical Booklet Committee produced a 48-page publication that included the information recounted here. Previously, there had been far more extensive county histories published in 1882 and 1919. The land that became Houston … [Read more...]
Fall Colors Come Alive in Bluff Country
Fall colors are beginning to bloom in Bluff Country. A wide palette of yellows, oranges, golds, browns, reds, and greens draw residents and visitors alike, to experience Bluff Country. Whether taking photos, visiting apple orchards, buying colorful mums, enjoying corn mazes with your children, picking out the perfect pumpkin to grace your home, visiting a local farmers … [Read more...]
Tapping of the Keg at Wykoff Fall Fest
Make plans to attend the annual Wykoff Fall Festival this weekend, September 21-24. Dave Schmidt will tap the keg at noon on Saturday at the fest grounds. This year’s grand marshals are Ken and Marie Baker. On Saturday at 11 a.m. you’ll see them in the popular Fall Fest parade. Make plans to attend the festival’s dinner theater, Fall Fest Foul Play: Murder at Wykoff Casino … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Houston Welcomed a Hometown, National Hero
A half century ago, “The people of Houston figuratively rolled out the red carpet,” stated the Houston (Minn.) Signal newspaper on May 4, 1973. The occasion was a weekend celebration, welcoming home Robert Flynn. “At one time, the prospect of seeing Bob on the streets of Houston again seemed rather remote. Never underestimating the power of prayer, the people of Houston saw … [Read more...]
Spring Valley Class of 1955 68th Reunion
The Spring Valley Class of 1955 celebrated their 68th class reunion on June 21, 2023, at the VFW club room in Spring Valley. Dinner was served at noon. They invited the classes of 1954 and 1956 to join for the dessert bar and beverages at 1:30 p.m. to reminisce. Several had replied they were unable to come. Darlene (Freimark) Jordahl and Anna Mae (Costello) Christenson … [Read more...]