APRIL 25
20 years ago (2002)
It will be a case of the old meeting the new when North Central Speedway opens its 22-event season April 27 – weather permitting. New owner Cliff Zasker of Onamia has a 25-year history of racing stock cars and drag racers, and looks forward to building on what former owners Jim and Lynn Nelson built over the past 13 years.
30 years ago (1992)
After two days of court testimony in county attorney Jack Graham's efforts to get his office budget increased, proceedings concluded and will await the judge's decision. Graham maintains failure to increase his budget was arbitrary and capricious. The county noted that many departments were cut as the board had to cut nearly $1 million from budget requests.
40 years ago (1982)
Will escaped firebomber John Rieck come back to his hometown in search of revenge? The answer from three veteran lawmen is no, no – and maybe. Retired sheriff Chuck Warnberg says no, Rieck wants to disappear. Sgt. Frank Ball agrees. But Capt. Dick Ross says there is a chance, and they are running down two reports Rieck was seen here.
60 years ago (1962)
(Photo) Lt. Gov. Karl Rolvaag will be featured speaker at the dedication of the Brainerd Labor Temple on April 28. Other labor and civic speakers have been invited and refreshments will be served. The building, which was the old Riverside School, has been remodeled, with two main floor halls of a capacity of 350 and 200 persons.
80 years ago (1942)
A Minneapolis man was fined $100 and $5 costs when caught after a 12-mile chase. The man, driving a 1941 station wagon, was stopped at 6th and Laurel. Instead of going to the police station, he sped west on Hwy 210 pursued by Al Fox in Squad Car No. 3. He crossed the Gull River bridge, turned north toward Gull Lake and ran off the road.
100 years ago (1922)
(Adv.) Mr. G.S. Radell comes to the Ransford Hotel this week. He is manager of one of the big piano houses. He is being forced to repossess a number of pianos that are behind on their payments. He will sell them for the balance due on contracts. If you are interested, write to Box 165, Brainerd.
28/50: People in the Northern Pacific Railroad depot waiting area, circa 1910. Source: 'Out of the Woods, A Pictorial History of The Brainerd Lakes Area', Published by The Brainerd Daily Dispatch. Copyright 1994.
29/50: Chicago Tavern on Gilbert Lake circa 1938-1943. Dancing and food. Al LaBarre was the owner. Source: 'Out of the Woods, A Pictorial History of The Brainerd Lakes Area' published by The Brainerd Daily Dispatch. Copyright 1994.
30/50: State Champion was this Brainerd amateur baseball team of 1894, which later saw two of those players advance to the major leagues. Pictured here are (front row) Frary, catcher; Phyle, rf-pit.; Howe, pit., rf; C. McCarthy, 1st; (middle row) Burgum, shortstop, W.P. Buckley, manager; Hill; 3rd; (back row) W. McCarthy, cf; Blandy, lf; Warner, 2nd. Source: 'Brainerd Minnesota 1871 - 1971'. Reproduced from the Centennial Edition of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch. Copyright 1971.
37/50: Brainerd Fire Department. Dispatch archives
38/50: W.E. Lively, the hustling Maxwell auto dealer, has sold a Maxwell to Joseph Johnson. Pictured is a Maxwell Mascotte Touring 1911 by Lars-Göran Lindgren Sweden - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1526033
39/50: This truck belonged to Silas Hall's Transfer Line just after World War I. It was used for hauling freight from the NP (Northern Pacific Railroad) depot to stores around town as well as for other kinds of moving. The picture was taken in front of the railroad freight office. Before the truck, Silas Hal used teams of horses and wagons which he kept at 415 Main (now Washington Street). Source: Brainerd Minnesota 1871 - 1971. Reproduced from the Centennial Edition of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch.
40/50: The 1916 Brainerd police force, pictured here, included the following men: The plain clothes men at either end were Jack Brandt (left) and Ted Nesheim; (front row, left to right) Charles Varner, chief, and Tom Templeton. (Rear, left to right) Erick Graff, Hans Saude and August Swanson. Source: Brainerd Minnesota 1871 - 1971. Reproduced from the Centennial Edition of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch.
41/50: This building at Seventh and Laurel, still a well-known landmark in Brainerd, was the home of the Citizen's State Bank, from 1909 to 1927, when the bank then moved to quarters across the street. This picture was taken in 1913. Source: Brainerd Minnesota 1871 - 1971. Reproduced from the Centennial Edition of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch.
42/50: The "fill" grounds skating rink, located near Franklin Junior High School, winter of 1938-39. Source: 'Out of the Woods, A Pictorial History of The Brainerd Lakes Area', Published by The Brainerd Daily Dispatch. Copyright 1994.
43/50: People in the Northern Pacific Railroad depot waiting area, circa 1910. Source: 'Out of the Woods, A Pictorial History of The Brainerd Lakes Area', Published by The Brainerd Daily Dispatch. Copyright 1994.
44/50: 60 years ago (1959) (Photo) Robert Dobson, 15, is interested in how long he can keep a kite aloft. He launched a kite at 3 p.m. yesterday near the court house and it's still flying despite a near disaster when a truck caught the kite string. The weatherman says it will remain windy today. Photo illustration, Metro Creative Graphics, Inc.
45/50: Brainerd Dispatch archives
46/50: The state hospital campus on Highway 18.
47/50: Santa takes a ride during a Christmas parade in downtown Brainerd.
48/50: Children crowd around Santa during downtown Brainerd Christmas festivities.
50/50: Brainerd Dispatch archives
