Snow fall in the 1930's

Brandon MN

After a big snow storm a Great Northern Railroad locomotive snow plow would go down the railroad tracks first. Then the track workmen would finish up the job around the signal posts and the spots in the tracks where the tracks switched from one track to the other. A signal post and that switching point can be seen in this picture. Notice the little hand car that the workers use to travel back and forth on the tracks.

Tony Skrove General Trucking Service

Brandon MN

Tony Skrove General Trucking Service in the late 1920's. He hauled freight from the Great Northern Railway and just about anything else that folks wanted hauled. Click on the picture to enlarge. Notice the telephone number of 62. Chains on the rear tires made him ready for the snow.

http://www.razoo.com

Check out the following website:

http://www.razoo.com/

In the white box type in Brandon History Center.

Click on the small picture of the Brandon Auditorium.

2nd Annual Chili Cookoff Contest

Brandon MN

Save February 11, 2011 as the date that you plan to join the fun and activities at the 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff Contest at the Brandon Auditorium. More information will follow at a later date.

John H. Kolling, Millerville

Millerville MN
This ad was run in the Brandon Echo Press on Jan. 9, 1902.

Historic Brandon Auditorium " Looks Beautiful "

Brandon MN

Fall 2010 Issue of The Center Piece

Advertising from old Douglas County map

Millerville MN

Advertising from old Douglas County map

Millerville MN

New sidewalks being poured Ausust 17, 2010

Brandon MN

Can you help to make Phase 2 of the Historic Brandon Auditorium restoration a reality?

Phase 1 of the restoration project is nearing completion. Phase 2 will include heating and air conditioning. Soon we will be making applications for matching fund grants for Phase 2.

For this we desperately need more local donations.

Donations are tax deductible per IRS 501 (c)(3)

Any size donation would be a great help !

Make check payable to the Brandon History Center.

Write Auditorium Restoration Fund in the memo space.

Send to: Brandon History Center PO # 514 Brandon MN 56315

Thank You !

Nick Miller Livestock Trucking

Millerville MN
Advertisement in the Douglas County Telephone Company book of 1938. Be sure to notice the telephone number?

St. Mary's First Communion Class

Millerville MN

The First Holy Communion Class at St. Mary's Catholic School in Millerville MN was taken in about 1951.

Brandon Auditorium Restoration July 12th

Brandon MN

Work is being done to repair and update the sewer connections.

The workers are also demolishing the old unused water cistern which was located under the front sidewalk. This is being done to help eliminate unwanted basement moisture.

Brandon Auditorium Restoration July 9th

Brandon MN

Repairs to the chimney have begun.

Brandon Auditorium Restoration July 6, 2010

Brandon MN
A worker from the Building Restoration Corporation of Minneapolis is removing the old cracked and crumbling mortar from around the windows and between the rocks.

Brandon Auditorium Restoration June 22, 2010

Brandon MN

Building Restoration Corp. is busy removeing the metal signs from the building and power washing the exterior.

Brandon Auditorium Restoration Begins June 14

Brandon MN
Excitement is in the air at 105 Holmes Avenue in the City of Brandon!

At the June meeting, the City Council awarded contracts for the restoration:
Concrete - Bitzan-Ohren
Masonry - Building Restoration Corp.
Carpentry - BCS, Inc.
Roofing - Membrane Roofing -
Roof I
Finishes - Beers Painting
Electrical - Lennes Bros.
Total projected cost for Phase I - $254,390.
Renovations began Monday, June 14, 2010. As we all know, 75 years have taken a huge toll on the building, and the need to make repairs is apparent. Fundraising efforts by the community and funds appropriated by the City of Brandon have made it possible to begin Phase I of the project. Phase I is expected to be finished in time for our Summerfest. You will be able to follow the progress of the project on the ORB Management web site at: http://orbmanagement.biz/agree.html with the following username and password. Username: BrandonAud Password: remodel$ Above you can see that the concrete sidewalks have been removed. Below is BCS, Inc. in the process of demolishing the east entrance to the current History Center(old Fire Hall/City Hall entrance) which will be totally restored to its original design.

Original Brandon Auditorium 1936

Brandon MN

The original Brandon Auditorium was completed in 1936 and included the Brandon Fire Department Fire Hall.

Notice the four white doors and the small windows.

Brandon Auditorium June 12, 2010

Brandon MN

Picture of the Brandon Auditorium June 12, 2010 which includes the original fire hall converted to the City Hall, which is now occupied by the History Center. Notice that when the Fire Hall was moved next door, the east entry to the City Hall was changed from its original design.

Architect's Rendering

Brandon MN
The architect's rendering of how the east entries will look after Phase I has been completed, bringing the Hall back to its original design.

Snow May 4, 1954

Millerville MN
Linus Korkowski of rural Millerville on May 4, 1954.


He told me that sitting on that little stool was very cold.

Meat Market

Brandon MN


Leo Smedstad and Oscar Pladson bought the Brandon Meat Market in 1928 from former owner, Chris Therkildson. This photo was taken in the early 1950's.

Meat Market Location on Front Street

Brandon MN

This picture of Front Street was taken in approximately 1954. Notice that the Meat Market was next door to what is now the present City Offices located at 115 East Front Street.

Meat Market

Brandon MN

First Meat Market built approximately 1890. Notice the scales up front.

Fat's Lorsung Beer Joint in Millerville

Millerville MN

Left t0 Right: Fat's Lorsung, Budsie Zerden, ____________, Gabby Schwegler, Martin Rosenthal, John Pischke, Otto Lehn, Vince Freske, Henry Brooks, Burt McClay, Bill Shea.

Does anyone know who the third gentleman is?

Construction of the Brandon Auditorium 1936

Brandon MN

These four children were playing in the sand pile, which was used to make cement and mortar, at the construction site. Zoom up on the picture and you will be able see the scaffolding and the outline of the building behind. The children all lived within two blocks of the construction site. Left to right: Betty Bolin, Duane Augdahl, Ardyce Anderson and Eugene Stene. Ardyce Anderson's father was Gust Anderson, the foreman of building project.