At the February 17 meeting of the city council, Preston Historical Society (PHS) President Sheila Craig remembered 2025 as a busy year.
It was the year that the Depot Museum and Riverfront Center became a reality. It took six months to raise the $400,000 to build the new facility. Phil Eickhoff was general contractor. The facility is fully paid for and leased from the city of Preston for 25 years. A grand opening is scheduled for May 15.
The annual Tractor Ride was the society’s largest fund raiser with 97 tractors. The ride overall raised over $12,000. The annual raffle was changed to a “cash” raffle. Prizes were $3,000. The total profit was $6,000.
The O’Hara School was open to the public for 40 hours during the Fillmore County Fair with 411 visitors.
The Preston Chamber honored Robert Maust with the tree dedication this year. He was a long time member of PHS and instrumental in bringing the two railroad cars to the Historic Campus and starting the Tractor Ride.
A sign was installed in front of the Preston Library honoring the Browning Club for their efforts to establish the first library.
A consultant paid for with a Minnesota Historical Society grant is developing a plan for displays to best show donated artifacts to museum visitors. A grant received through the University of Minnesota will be used for planning an alternate route from Preston to Historic Forestville and Forestville State Park.
Craig said the goal is to have the Museum open Fridays and Saturdays in the summer.
Other Business in Brief
- The amended Administrative Fee Schedule for 2026 was approved. The recommended amendments were most recently reviewed at the February 3 city council meeting. No additional changes had been recommended.
- The city council approved a summary of Ordinance 315 for publication. The publication of the newly adopted ordinance in the city’s official newspaper is required by statute. The full ordinance can be viewed on the city’s website. Some of the amendments to the ordinance include, but are not limited to, the addition of a consumption and display permit costing $100, an increased Man Hour rate from $40 per hour to $55 per hour, an increase in the Over-time rate from $60 to $82.50 per hour, and the inclusion of Utility (connection) Fees.
- Trevor Lange was hired to the new city Street/Water Maintenance position as recommended by committee.
- Approval was granted for temporary alley closures as requested by Preston Protein Products. They are in the process of upgrading their boiler. The alley between the main processing plant and main street business will have to be blocked off at times during an expected 10 day period.
- A Fireworks Permit was approved for the city for the 2026 fireworks display during Trout Days on May 16. An agreement with J & M Displays, Inc. for the firing of display was approved costing $6,500 ($5,500 from city budget, $500 from F & M Community Bank, and $500 from the fire department).
- Street closures on portions of some streets during specified times on May 16 or 17 for Trout Days activities were approved. The street closures are largely the same as last year.
- Advertisement for Rock & Bituminous bids was approved.
- Advertisement for a city summer helper was approved.
- Preston Public Library has received a $10,000 gift from the Carnegie Foundation in celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday. About 750 of the 1,681 free public libraries funded for construction in part by Andrew Carnegie are still in operation, including the Preston Public Library. The funds can be used at the Library’s discretion.
Leave a Reply