Roseau County Historical Society and Museum -

The sights and sounds of harvest can be seen across the countryside where the combines are gobbling up the blue grass. Children are beginning to anticipate the upcoming school year, and the days are getting shorter. The beautiful August days have arrived!

The Roseau County Museum staff felt is was a perfect time to conduct a children’s sleuth hunt. It will be held through August 27 from 10 pm to 2 pm for children from preschool age to twelve at the museum. The staff will pick three objects daily for the young people to locate within the museum. All children seven and under will need to be accompanied by someone over sixteen. Children 16 and under are free. All participants will be entered into a drawing for a DQ blizzard to be given away on Friday of each week at 3:30 pm. For more information please contact the museum (218-463-1918).

RCHS Focus of the Week

The Strathcona centennial committee put together a commemoration book presenting the history of the town titled “Strathcona Heritage 100 Years of Community Spirit, 1904 – 2004.” One of the interesting inserts in the centennial book is a map of the buildings in Strathcona and a numeric listing with the history of the buildings. . This week we will examine some of the businesses that have been located in Strathcona.

In the early days “Paul Fabla built a garage [on the corner of McKenzie and Highway 32]; Tony Taus operated this Texaco station for several years for Paul. Richard Lundquist was the next station operator, followed by Wallace Nelson. Nelson sold the garage to C. E. Gustafson in 1947, naming the business Farmers Supply. The place burned in November of 1948, leaving the town without garage facilities for a time.

“Hans Lerun and Charlie built a general store (“Daylight” store) in 1904 or 1905. (Lerum had moved his wares from his store in East Park.) The Post Office operated out of here with …Lerum [as] postmaster from 1905 – 1914. In 1908 Lerum became sole owner of the business, and then partnered with Henning Backlund in 1918. They also sold International [farm] machinery and Titan tractors. When Henning passed away, his son Harold took over his share of the business. Magnus Spjut may have operated the store for a time. About 1931 to 1937 Emory Austin and Ed Kjalberg operated the “Honor Store” from this building. For a time, a Thief River Falls auctioneer by the name of Halverson had a business. Conrad Hanson then purchased the store. After he operated it … he sold it to Newman and Morris Johnson in 1848. Henry Giltvedt took it over shorly after, but passed away after successfully operating the grocery store for several months. His wife then ran the business until Conrad Hanson took it over once again in 1950. He had the Hartz Store for many years with his wife, Minnie. She operated it alone after Conrad’s death until Ron and Bonnie Lorenson purchased it. The last owner was Gene Stokvis.

“Built in 1912, the Strathcona Bank headquartered (between Highway 32 and Second Street in the middle of Lincoln Avenue…The bank mov[ed] to the larger, vacated building next door. This building was used as a print shop for the “Strathcona Star.” Pat’s Card Room operated with a pool table and poker supplies. Ole Amundson used the building for a grocery store for a while then opened a tavern and restaurant in about 1933. The Telephone Company operated out of this building…It was used as the Strathcona Village Hall for many years.” (to be continued next week)

Congratulations Strathcona on your proud past!

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