Stories of a small town. Meeker County, MN

The Mysterious Murder of O.A. Palmquist

February 2, 2023

On Thursday, November 12,1914 The Dassel Anchor carried this headline, The Mysterious Murder of O.A. Palmquist Dassel People Tremendously Excited Over Cold Blooded Murder Last Thursday Of Cashier Of Citizens State Bank Dassel Anchor November 12, 1914 On November 5,1914, the case of the murder of Olaf Palmquist, a cashier at Citizens State Bank in…

Another Goddess Dream

January 15, 2023

Years ago, many years ago, I was in a bad patch. I dreamed one night that I was in a dark corner of my basement and surrounded by 3 women. Who were chanting over me and honoring me. Gosh that helped. I have had many dreams since. Driving cars, rummaging in attics, rummaging in basements.…

Ga-Be-Nah-Gewn-Wonce Chief John, White Wolf, Smith

November 3, 2022

In our Dassel History Center archives, we have a picture of Magnus Johnson with an unidentified elderly Native American man. It seemed odd that such a striking man had no name. I did a reverse image search and came up with pages of information on this ancient gentleman. Ga-Be-Nah-Gewn-Wonce known to the white population as…

Ga-Be-Nah-Gewn-Wonce Chief John, White Wolf, Smith

Dassel and Nuclear War

October 5, 2022

On September 26, 1983, the United States was involved in what was called a cold war; a period of difficult relations between the United States, our allies (The Western Bloc) and the Soviet Union and its allies, (the Eastern Bloc). Historically this time span was from March 12, 1947, beginning with the announcement of the…

“If you are from Kingston, Kingston is always in your heart”

July 28, 2022

A while back I was strolling through pictures on one of the History Center programs and I came upon some photos of quaint rock sculptures and grottos. The pictures were labeled the Kingston Rock Gardens. Asking around, at first no one knew about this garden. Then, other people began speaking with other people, and information…

“If you are from Kingston, Kingston is always in your heart”

King’s Hill or the Dassel/Darwin Park

June 8, 2022

Our Dassel/Darwin Park has a long history in our area. At 160 acres this is the largest park in Meeker County, located 2 ½ miles west of Dassel on Highway 12. The park has a sliding hill which provides a beautiful lookout over the area, restrooms, 6 ½ miles of trails for hiking, cross country…

The Big Top in a Small Town.

April 29, 2022

Imagine the excitement when a circus comes to town. In the days before flyers are posted on poles and buildings, and appear on kitchen tables, having been brought home with eager hope for a trip to the Big Top! Children hum with anticipation, pulling out any possible coins they may have saved over the year.…

Ah! The Fair Days of Summer.

April 22, 2022

As a child I remember street fairs in the small town where I was raised. These street fairs were magic. Ferris wheels reached to the sky, cotton candy, games of chance, little ducklings in ponds, watermelon eating, pies, produce, tables of sparkling jars of canned goods and preserves, and barns full of farm animals. The…

Kragelugn

March 23, 2022

Kragelugn is the name of a beautiful Swedish Tile Stove.

Oh, That Mushroom!

March 5, 2022

The first time I drove through the town of Dassel I immediately noticed the tiny little gas station on the north corner of First Street and Highway 12. The building was built back in 1931 by Lewis (aka Louis) Belin. Lewis began operating the station with a lease from White Eagle Oil Corportation. Lewis was…