Redwood Falls City

Redwood Falls City

Redwood Falls is picturesquely located on the high banks of the Redwood river, about one mile south of the Minnesota river. It is the terminus of what is now known as the Sleepy Eye-Redwood Falls branch of the Chicago & North Western, but which when built in 1878 was called the Minnesota Valley division of the Winona & St. Peter.

The rivers, gorges and bluffs here present some of the most beautiful scenery in the Northwest, while north, east, south and west stretches some of the finest agricultural land in Minnesota.

The trees set out in the early days give the city the appearance of a settlement set in a beautiful grove, while the nearby parks have given to Redwood Falls the justly deserved title of "The Scenic City." The streets are well kept, the public buildings are unusually sightly, the churches are noted for their splendid architecture, the business houses are modern and progressive, the homes are attractively built and surrounded with lawns and shrubbery. From the earliest days, the city had been noted for its religious and educational activities, and the clean moral atmosphere of its social life.

Among the public buildings are the courthouse, the city hall, the Carnegie library, the jail and the armory. The municipal improvements include, aside from the parks, an extensive waterworks and sewer system, a splendid electric light system, a wellkept bathhouse, and extensive paving, while a public heating plant is now being installed.

There is a good band here, organized in 1900 under the name of the Scenic City Band, and also a good orchestra. The military company, Co. L, Second Regiment, M. N. G., is now on the Texas border.

The Mgh school, recently remodelled, is as good as any of its size in the state. The graded school building is substantial, well equipped for its purpose, and surrounded with a public playground. Along the shores of Lake Redwood many private parks are maintained in the rear of some magnificent private residences.

There are three banks, two newspapers, two moving picture theatres, and many garages. A Commercial club maintains quarters in the armory, and the Automobile club has done much to add to the reputation of the city.

The parks consist of Lake Redwood park and Redwood Falls park, both owned by the city, and the extensive Ramsey State park, owned by the commonwealth.

The present sightly city hall of brick was constructed at a cost of some $7,000 in the summer of 1915, replacing a small fire house which previously stood on the site. It is equipped with a bell and a siren fire alarm. Aside from housing the excellent fire equipment, it provides a meeting hall and offices for various county officers.

A history of Redwood Falls would be incomplete without mentioning its incomparable system of waterworks and sewers. The water plant was installed in 1892, and consisted of four miles of 4, 6, 8 and 10-inch mains, a water tower with a capacity of 92,000 gallons, giving a gravity pressure of 47 pounds ; a power building, 40x80. in which are installed one Duplex non-condensing Gordon pump, 2,000,000 gallons capacity, one 80-horsepower Springfield boiler, with foundation and piped for a duplicate set of boiler and pumps, should necessity arise for more power. The station is 175 feet lower and one-half mile west of the tower, on one of the most beautiful reaches of the Redwood river. The source of supply is a number of springs that are collected in a gallery and are conducted to a receiving reesrvoir, from whence it is pumped to the tower as needed for fire purposes. Water is taken from the river and forced direct into mains, the tower being shut off by a combination electric and air valve. The spring water is strongly impregnated with magnesia with a trace of iron ; it is certainly the most wholesome water to be found anywhere in this part of the state, as no case of contagious disease has ever occurred where the people have used city water exclusively. It is absolutely free from all animal life. Since its installation the system has been gradually extended, and the extension is still going on. The principal parts of the city are covered, and as the city grows, the system is most admirably adapted to expansion.

district; in 1897, under the direction of Superintendent G. L. Parkhill, the system was extended into the residence district, and tapped the jail, courthouse and public schools. Like the waterworks system, the sewer system is being gradually extended and expanded.

The fire protection of Redwood Falls is of the best. An excellent waterworks system, a good fire company, first-class equipment, and a large bell and siren whistle, all combine to give a feeling of security to the property owner. The city has been quite free from large fires, the two fires which destroyed the Francois building, and the fire which swept out the buildings west of the Francois block, being the largest.

In the earliest days, a bucket brigade was organized. For a time this brigade wore no distinctive uniforms, but later firemen's shirts, caps and belts, worn with dark trousers and shoes, gave them a natty and conspicuous appearance. With the growth of the village, new equipment was gradually acquired. A hook and ladder truck and a chemical engine were purchased, and a fire house erected on the site of the city hall.

July 26, 1895, the city having been incorporated, the fire department was reorganized with F. W. Philbriek as chief. After him came A. W. Badger, then Henry Beuchner and then C. W. Mead. The next chief was C. V. Everett, who is still a member of the department, and has been connected with it since 1881. After Chief Everett came M. 0. Biram, followed by Joe Corbett, the present chief. G. A. Schildknecht is secretary, and Emil Kuenzli is treasurer.

The department is entirely voluntary, and consists of a hook and ladder company and two hose companies. Each hose truck has some 800 feet of hose and ten chemical fire extinguishers. The city is now considering purchasing a motor fire truck. The fire apparatus is boused in the beautiful new city hall erected ia 1915.

Electricity is furnished the city from the power plant owned by A. C. Burmeister, erected in 1909. From this plant will also be furnished the heat for the public heating system recently installed. Mr. Burmeister came to Redwood Falls in 1899, purchased the old mill, and a few years later installed a dynamo and began furnishing the city with electricity. The present dam was completed in 1902. A twenty-four-hour service is furnished the patrons, and the streets, business houses and private residences are well lighted.

Redwood Falls people are justly proud of their schools, which easily are superior to any in this section of the state. The two buildings, with their splendid systems of forced ventilation and automatic temperature regulation, furnish ideal conditions for school work.

The first school in the stockade was taught by Julia A. Williams of LeSeuer in the fall and winter of 1864. Her pupils were the Honner, Thompson, Fosgate and McPhail children. Martha Watson, later Mrs. Martha Webster, was the next teacher, and a small school house was erected in 1866 just west of the site of the garage on Second street. Miss Etta Tippery followed, while Edward March and Colonel Chandler each taught about this time.

In 1869 a school house was erected at the corner of Chestnut and Jefferson streets. Mr. Kaufman and his sister, Miss Kaufman, were in charge of the school until 1873. Miss Moyer (later Mrs. Fowler of Spokane) followed, and the district was organized as an independent district in 1873. The next year three principals succeeded one another - Mr. Grannis, Mr. Trinnan and E. J. Lewis - with Adelle Chapman (Mrs. J. B. Robinson )in charge of the lower department. Mrs. Lewis taught with Mr. Lewis the following year. J. B. Gaston came in 1877, and Mrs. Gaston taught at the same time. Mr. Gaston is a physiican in Colorado Springs at present. The old warehouse belonging to Mr. Crump was secured for an additional room in 1877. The Redwood Dream theater is now located on about the same spot.

On May 11, 1878, $1,000 was voted for a new school site, but nearly five years elapsed before bonds were voted for a new school building. Several very exciting meetings were held to vote bonds previous to Jan. 25, 1883, but on this date $10,000 in bonds were voted. However, the board was forced to call special meetings to vote additional money to complete the building, making $16,500 in bonds issued. This formed what is now the west portion of the grade building. R. L. Marshman was elected the first principal.

The Redwood Falls high school began holding commencement exercises in 1886, since which time a class has been graduated every year with the exception of 1881 and 1898, at which times another year's work was added to the course. The smallest classes were those of 1892 and 1901, consisting of two each.

In the spring and summer of 1905 a site was purchased and $21,000 in bonds used for the erection of the present high school building. At various times during these years the crowding of the school necessitated the use of other outside rooms than have been indicated. In the summer of 1916 extensive alterations and improvements were made, and the capacity greatly enlarged, making it the best high school building in any place of this size in the state.

1871, with eight charter members : F. V. Hotchkiss, W. M. ; William D. Flinn, S. W. ; James McMillan, J. W. ; Lafayette F. Robinson, treasurer; William C. March, secretary; Robert Watson, S. D. ; Edward A. Chandler, J. D. The charter was received in January, history, and owns a finely equipped hall in the brick block on Mill street. This city is the home of an unusual number of thirtysecond degree Masons. The Eastern Star is also in a thriving condition.

Redwood lodge, No. 68, I. 0. 0. F., was organized February 18, 1879, with five charter members: C. W. Tousley, N. G. ; W. M. Knapp, secretary and treasurer; A. D. Holliday, V. G. G. W. Whittet and William Knapp of this city are the surviving charter members. The records show that ex-Gov. John Lind was present and officiated as secretary at the first meeting. The early growth of the lodge was slow, the membership being less than a dozen for several years. Oct. 10, 1888, an encampment was instituted, which has grown until it has become the fifth largest in the state. The Rebecca Ladies' Auxiliary was established Feb. 12, 1887, and the canton on Nov. 26, 1903. The Odd Fellows own a splendid hall comprising the second floor of a brick block on Mill street.

Redwood Falls lodge, No. 42, K. of P., was organized July 12, 1887, with C. T. Ward as chancellor commander and Geo. L. Evans as keeper of the seals. The charter was granted Sept. 11, 1888, G. R. Pease, C. Fred Thompson, H. A. Baldwin and J. P. Cooper being among the charter members. The Pythian Sisters share with their brother Knights the use of their hall. This lodge was organized Sept. 29, 1897, Mesdames Aune, Hughes, Baldwin, Philbrick, Pease, Thompson, Ward, Lamberton and Ferris comprising the charter members. It is named Carine Temple in honor of Mrs. H. M. Aune.

Besides the lodges may be mentioned four very strong beneficiary orders: The M. W. A., established May 22, 1893; the M. B. A., organized Nov. 6, 1898 ; the A. 0. U. W., which has one of the largest memberships in the city, and the Equitable Fraternal Union, which is also well established. Several other lodges also flourish here.

John S. Marsh post, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized on April 3, 1884, with thirty charter members. Charles George was the first commander. For a time recruiting was quite rapid, and the membership grew to considerable proportions, but of late years death has made heavy inroads into the ranks, and few can be found with the necessary qualifications for enlistment. The present membership is thirty-five. Memorial day is always one of the big days in Redwood Falls. Usually a speaker of national repute is secured to deliver the principal address, and then the largest auditorium in the city is insufficient to accommodate the throngs. With the passing of the years the soldier boys have many of them grown too feeble to endure the strenuous march. In 1909 the custom was adopted of leaving to Co. L, M. N. G., the more active duties of the day, and the program was rendered in a very pleasing way.

Among the beautiful and useful public buildings to which the citizens of Redwood Falls point with pride is the Carnegie library, erected in 1904 at an approximate cost of $10,000. The base of the structure is North Redwood granite, the superstructure being pressed brick. The building is open to the reading public seven days and five evenings each week. It is supported by taxation under the management of nine trustees chosen by the mayor. Elizabeth Connor ably officiates as librarian.

Redwood Falls is the center of an extensive telephone system. For some years the Bell company conducted a local telephone exchange in Redwood Falls. The business men, however, were somewhat dissatisfied with several phases of the service, and on January 14, 1909, incorporated the Redwood Falls Electric Telephone Co. The system was- ready for service in September of that year, and the older system was soon eliminated. The incorporators of the company were : Chairman, F. W. Philbrick ; vice chairman, A. C. Burmeister ; secretary and treasurer, H. M. Aune ; H. A. Baldwin, John P. Cooper, William H. Gold, William D. Lyons, A. D. Stewart and August Carrity. The present officers are: President, W. D. Lyons; vice president, A. C. Burmeister; secretary and treasurer, H. M. Aune. The directors are W. D. Lyons, F. W. Philbrick, A. C. Burmeister, August Carrity, John P. Cooper, A. D. Stewart and H. M. Aune.

The Redwood County Rural Telephone Company conducts a general local and long distance telephone business. It was incorporated April 20, 1902, and has its headquarters at Redwood Falls, with exchanges at Belview, Echo, Morgan, Vesta, Wabasso and Walnut Grove, and stations at Delhi and Clements. Connections are made with the Redwood Falls Electric Telephone Co., and with the Tri-State Telephone Co. and the Northwestern Telephone Exchange Co. The company has a capital of $33,000. The first officers were: President, A. C. Miller; vice president, C. H. Winn; secretary and treasurer, A. D. Stewart. The first board of directors consisted of A. D. Stewart, A. C. Miller, W. H. Gold, Charles H. Winn, William Lindeman, H. G. Werder, George L. Evans, S. O. Mason and Robert Stewart. The present officers are : President,

Previous to the building of the stockade, a government sawmill had been constructed at the falls of the Redwood, in 1855. A number of Indian cabins had also been erected in the vicinity by the government.

In the spring of 1865 the settlers began to locate on the village site outside of the stockade. The village gradually grew, but received a severe set-back during the grasshopper years, from which it did not recover until the railroad came through in 1878.

In 1878 when the Northwestern Gazetteer was issued, it described Redwood Falls as follows : "An incorporated village of 700 inhabitants, on the Redwood river, from which power is obtained to operate two flouring mills and a sawmill. The Presbyterians, Methodists, Christian, Episcopal and Catholic denominations all have churches here. There is an independent graded school. The Gazette, a weekly newspaper is published. Stages are operated daily to New Ulm, and to Yellow Medicine and Minnesota Falls, semi-weekly."

Although Redwood Falls is mentioned as the terminal branch station of the Chicago & North Western, it is probable that the description for the Gazetteer for that year was written before the railroad was actually completed. The business and professional activities shown that year are:

Bailey, S. E., Redwood Hotel; Baker & Byington, livery and sale stable; Baldwin, H. D., lawyer; Baldwin, H. D., & Co., grocers; Bank of Redwood Falls; Birum, Ener, lumber mill (North Redwood) ; Bowers, J. H., lawyer; Bronson, Rev. E. H. (Methodist) ; Bunch, S. T., furniture ; Chapman, E. 0., wagon-piaker ; Cook, A. M., & Sons, flour mill; Crouley Bros., grocers; Dobner & O'Hara, druggists; Dodge, Rev. H. A. (Presbyterian) ; Evans, W. M., physician; Flinn, W. D., physician; Flynn, Birney, land agent; Frost, Rev. A. P. (Christian) ; Gordon, Bishop, agricultural implements ; Herriott, Wm. B., editor Gazette ; Hitchcock, D. L., druggist ; Hotchkiss, F. V., blacksmith ; Hunter, Rev. E. G. (Episcopal) ; Jessup, John, grocer; Johnson, Benjamin, baker and grocer ; Koch & Nevitt, butchers ; Laird & Domberg, hardware ; Lichtwark, Joseph, butcher ; Lys, Henry, blacksmith ; McCarthy, E. A., livery and sale stable ; McMillan, James, general store ; Offerman, Matt, saloon; O'Hara, F. M., saloon; Ojia, Mrs. S. H., milliner; Ortt & Northrup, Exchange Hotel; Peterson, A. J., blacksmith; Post, W. H., & Co., drugs and groceries; Powell, M. E., lawyer; Rockwell, R. W., hardware ; Ruter & Cuff, flour mill ; Sears, Moses, boot and shoemaker ; Stickle & Wiltshire, general store ; Swisher, W. A., hardware and tinshop-. Tibbitts, Till, land agent; Tiffany, J. E., flour and feed; Truesdell, Levi, harnessmaker ; Vilos, M., physician; Wallin, Alfred, lawyer; Wasson & Crooks, black- smiths ; "Watson, Robert, express agent ; Watton, David, surveyor and civil engineer; Watson, R. W., books, stationery and music. In 1880 the business directory was as follows : American Express Co., W. C. Tyler, agent ; Bailey House ; Baker, Sanford C, livery stable ; Baker, Wm. E., lumber, etc. ; Baldwin, H. D., & Son, flower and feed; Baldwin, Miller & Morrill, lawyers and insurance agents; Bank of Redwood Falls, Wm. F. Dickinson, prop.; Bell, H. N., & Co., furniture and undertaker; Bigham, Darwin L., county superintendent of schools; Birum, Ener, flour mill, one mile north ; Bissel, E. H, jeweler ; Boutell, Frederick M., house and sign painter ; Bowen & Lamberton, lumber ; Bowers, John H. probate judge and lawyer; Brainard, W. P., grain and elevator; Braley, George W., prop., Redwood County Bank ; Britton, John, cabinet maker; Bunce, George W., prop., Commercial House; Bunce, Jacob D., grocer ; Bunch, S. T., furniture and undertaker ; Chandler & Rockwell, hardware and stoves ; Chapman, Edwin 0., wagon-maker; Christie, John, dentist; Clayson, Walter S., dry goods, etc. ; Commercial House, Geo. W. Bounce, prop. ; Cook, A. A., & Co., props., Delhi flouring mills ; Crocker, Charles, groceries and provisions; Crouley, Wm., groceries and provisions; Cuff & Co., flour mill ; Delhi Flour Mills, A. A. Cook & Co., props. ; Dickinson, Wm. F., prop., Bank of Redwood Falls ; Drake, George, saddle and harness-maker; Dunn, Rev. Charles S. H. (Methodist); Dunnington, Wm. P., register U. S. Land office ; Exchange Hotel, 0. D. Sickler, prop. ; Fargo, H. B., farm implements ; Flynn, Barney, land agent ; Gale, A. L., county sheriff ; Gordon, Bishop, farm implements; Hawk, Wm. H., clerk of district court; Herriott, Wm. B., editor and prop, the Redwood Gazette ; Herriott, Wm. B., receiver U. S. Land Office ; Hitchcock, D. L., & Son, druggists ; Hoppenrath, R. K., boot and shoemaker; Hotchkiss, F. V., blacksmith ; Jaeger, Frank, saddle and harness-maker ; Johnson, Benjamin, baker and grocer ; King Brothers, dry goods and clothing ; Laird, Morton & Chollar, lumber; Laird & Dornberg, hardware, farm implements ; Lechner & Ackmann, groceries, crockery, etc. ; Leibenguth George, meat market ; Lichtwarck, Joseph, wines and liquors; Long, Miss L. W., milliner and fancy goods; McCartey, August E., livery stable; McKay & Race, grocers; McMillan, James, general store; Malmberg & Ingalls, insurance agents; March, Thomas A., boots and shoes; Marsh, Rev. G. D. (Presbyte^ rian) ; Masters, S. 0., county surveyor; Matter, Mrs. E., dressmaker; Matter, Wm., photographer; Nelson, George, meat market; Offerman, Matt, saloon and billiards; O'Hara, Francis M., wines and liquors ; 0 'Hara, Oscar E., druggist ; Paxton, J. Wilson, loans and real estate; Pearson, A. L., mason; Peterson, John A., blacksmith ; Philbrick & Francois, general store ; Powell, M. E., lawyer ; Redwood County Bank, Geo. W. Braley, prop. ; Redwood Gazette (weekly), W. B. Harriott, prop.; Redwood House, John

Strawsell, prop.; Robinson, James B., register of deeds; Sears, Moses, boot and shoemaker; Sewell, Joseph, grocer, boots and shoes, etc.; Sickler, 0. D., prop., Exchange Hotel; Simmons & Ortt, farm implements; Smith, Peter, saloon and billiards; Spafford, George H., watches and jewelry; Stickle, Samuel S., court commissioner ; Stickle & Wiltshire, general store ; Stoddard, C. S., physician ; Strawsell, John, prop., Redwood House ; Tenny, Wm. P., barber; Thomas, John H., blacksmith; Tibbetts, Till, land agent; Truesdell, Levi, saddle and harnessmaker ; Tyler, W. C, express and railroad agent ; Van Schaack, Isaac M., county auditor ; Wallin, Alfred, county attorney ; Walton, Mrs. T. E., milliner and fancy goods ; Wasson & Crooks, blacksmiths ; Watton, Davis, civil engineer ; Werton & Ruter, flour mills ; Whitcomb, Oliver P., grain and elevator ; Wilson, Robert A., dry goods ; Zwick & Rigby, farm implements.

The Gazetteer gives this description of Redwood Falls in its issue of 1882: "The terminus of the Minnesota Valley branch of the Winona & St. Peter division of the Chicago & North Western railway, and the county seat of Redwood county, in the northern-central part of which it is situated, on the Redwood river, at its confluence with the Minnesota, from which power is derived and utilized by four flouring mills and a saw mill, besides which the place contains 1,000 inhabitants, two banks, five hotels, the most popular of churches, good schools and the usual number of stores, shops and residences, and has stage communications with New Ulm and Beaver Falls daily. St. Paul is 110 miles distant. Express : American. Telegraph : Western Union. Mail, daily. Robert Watson, postmaster." The business and professional directory follows: Aekmann, Wm., grocer; Aiken, James, book and job printer, and publisher of Redwood Gazette; Anderson, Rev. Robt. E. (Presbyterian) ; Bailey House, Bailey, prop. ; Baker, Sanford C, livery; Baker, Wm. E., farm implements and flour mill; Baldwin, Hial D., attorney at law, loans and real estate; Baldwin, H. D., & Son, flour and feed ; Bell, N. H., & Co., furniture and undertaking; Birum, Ener, flour mill, one mile north; Boutelle, Frederick M., painter; Bowers, John H., probate judge; Brainard, W. P., grain dealer ; Browne, Samuel F., merchant tailor; Bunce, Jacob D., restaurant; Bunch, Salathier T., furniture and undertaker; Butterfield, Marshal K., groceries and notions; Buxton, Broughton & Tyson, meat market ; Chandler, Edward A., hardware and stoves; Chapman, Edwin O., wagonmaker; Clayson, Walter S., general store ; Cronk, Miss Belle, milliner ; Crouley, W., & Co. (Wm. Crouley, S. J. F. Ruter), general store; Cuff, E., & Co., flouring mill ; Dickinson, Wm. F., prop., Bank of Redwood Falls; Drake, George, harnessmaker; Dunnington, James M., grocer; Dunnington, Wm. P., register U. S. land office; Ensign, Franklin, clerk of district court; Everett, H. D., hotel prop.;

Exchange Hotel, E. S. Hammond, prop.; Flynn, Barney, land agent; Gale, A. L., sheriff; George, C. W., & Co., lumber; Goodrich, Simeon S., flour and feed ; Gordon, Bishop, farm implements ; Hammond, E. S., prop., Exchange Hotel; Herriott, Wm. B., receiver U. S. land office; Hitchcock, D. L., & Son (Dennis, L., & Hiram M.), druggists; Hoppenrath, Robert K., shoemaker; Hotchkiss, F. V., blacksmith; Jaeger, Frank, harnessmaker ; Johnson, Benjamin, baker; King Bros. (Walter B. and Almon E.), drygoods; Laird & Dornberg (Dallas J. Laird, Otto L. Dornberg), hardware and farm implements; Laird, Norton & Chollar (Wm. H. Laird, Matthew G. and James L. Norton, Henry D. Chollar), lumber; Leibinguth, George, meat market; Lichtwark, Joseph, saloon; Loud, Herbert J., druggist; McCartey, August E., livery; McConnell, John A., meat market ; McDonnell, Michael J., boarding house; McKay & Race (Gilbert E. McKay, Samuel J. Race), grocers; McMillan, James, general store; Malmberg, E., insurance; March, Thomas A., boots and shoes; Marshman, R. L., county superintendent of schools ; Matter, Wm., photographer and grocer; Merritt & Lys, foundry; Mueller, Peter, saloon; Offermann, Mart, saloon and billiards ; Pearson, A. L., mason ; Pemberton, Rev. (Methodist) ; Peterson, John A., blacksmith ; Philbrick & Francois (Fremont W. Philbrick, Alexander Francois), general store; Pond & Co., books and stationery; Powell, Milton E., county attorney; Redwood County Bank, Geo. W. Braley, president, Augustus A. Cook, cashier; Redwood Gazette (weekly), James Aiken, publisher and proprietor; Robinson, James B., register of deeds; Sears, Moses, shoemaker; Spofford Bros. (George H. and John W.), watches and jewelry; Stickel, Samuel S., court commissioner ; Stoddard, C. S., physician ; Strawsell, John, hotel proprietor; Tenney, Wm. P., barber; Thomas, John H., blacksmith; Thompson, James L., farm implements; Tibbetts, Till, land agent and county surveyor; Truesdell, Levi, harnessmaker; Tyler, W. G, railroad and express agent; Van Schaack, Isaac M., county auditor; Wallin, Alfred, lawyer; Walton, Mrs. T. E., millinery and fancy goods; Warner, Fred L., clerk U. S. land office ; Wasson & Bager, blacksmiths ; Walton, David, civil engineer; Werton & Ruter, flour mills; Whitcomb, 0. P., grain dealer and elevator ; Wilson, Robert A., dry goods.

Redwood Falls was surveyed for Sam. McPhail by David Watson in October, 1865. The plat was filed for record April 9, 1866. The village was located in section 1, township 112, range 36. All streets were 60 feet wide, and all alleys 20 feet wide. All street lines were due east and west and north and south. The plat consisted of twenty blocks. Each block contained twelve lots, except blocks 6, 7, 10 and 11, each of which had two lots cut out by Court House square. The boundaries were Bridge and Fifth streets on the north and south and Minnesota and East streets on the west and east. The north and south streets beginning at the west were Minnesota, Mull, Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and East streets. The east and west streets, beginning at the north, were Bridge, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth. Third and Jefferson streets were intercepted by Court House square.

The plat of the Eastern Addition to Redwood Falls was filed Aug. 13, 1914. The owners were Hans and Marie E. Jensen, and Martin and Franziska Lohrenz.

A plat showing the subdivisions of the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 36, town 113, range 36 was filed Feb. 18, 1879.

The plat of the Peavey Lakeside Addition to Redwood Falls was filed July 14, 1909. This land belonged to H. H. Peavey and Ella S. Peavey, his wife.

Redwood Falls was incorporated by a legislative act approved Feb. 18, 1876 (Chapter XV Special Laws of 1876), under the provisions of Chapter 139, General Laws of 1875. Birney Flynn, C. C. Stickle and S. J. F. Ruter were named as commissioners to carry the incorporation into effect. The area of the new village included the west half of section 6, township 112, range 35; all of section 1, and the east half of section 2, township 112, range 36; all of section 31, township 113, range 35; and all of section 36, township 113, range 36.

The first election was held in the office of Birney Flynn, March 9, 1876, in charge of George A. Buxton and H. A. Luck, judges of election. Nearly one hundred votes were cast. The following officers were elected: President, M. E. Powell; trustees, James McMillan, S. F. Robinson and A. M. Cook; recorder, W. A. Sursher; treasurer, W. D. Flinn; justice of the peace, E. 0. Chapman ; constable, Thomas McMillan. The first meeting of the council was held at the law office of M. E. Powell, March 11, 1876.

The village organization continued until April 1, 1891, when a special city charter passed by the legislature was approved by the government. The first meeting of the new council was held April 2, 1891, the officers present being Mayor W. F. Dickinson; Aldermen A. W. Badger, A. C. Schmahl, C. C. Peck and G. R. Rose ; Recorder 0. W. McMillan. H. Winter was appointed chief of police and William Crooks, policeman. John P. O'Hare was appointed street commissioner. H. A. Baldwin has been the city's only treasurer. The present officers are: Mayor, C. A. Luscher; aldermen, John Whittet, J. F. Knudson, J. K. Drury, Fred M. Banker (appointed in place of Oliver S. Dunham, recently deceased) ; recorder, H. W. Ward; treasurer, H. A. Baldwin; municipal judge, Finley Gray ; assessor, H. N. Bell ; chief of police, L. H. Kuck ; clerk of municipal court, H. W. Ward ; park board, H. M. Hitchcock, David McNaughton, H. A. Baldwin ; board of health, Dr. S. L. Leonard, Otto Melges and H. M. Hitchcock.