APRIL 29
20 years ago (2002)
The city council has adopted an ordinance changing the ward boundaries in the city in redistricting to comply with numbers from the 2000 census. This met with no particular controversy within the city, but three county commissioners expressed concern with the city plan as county districts can't split a city ward or precinct.
30 years ago (1992)
It took a year, but the FAA has reluctantly accepted the new county landfill. In an April 6 letter, the FAA district office said they will not object as long as the landfill site is moved in five years. At issue is the problem of birds, especially seagulls, attracted by garbage. The landfill is only 3.2 miles from the airport and should be five miles.
40 years ago (1982)
There's no indication of contamination in Baxter's municipal water supply from the dumping of herbicides near the city wells, according to a report from state officials. Test wells drilled to determine groundwater flow show the flow is away from the city wells, 1,600 feet away from the dump site.
60 years ago (1962)
(Adv.) We're a Wonderland of Food Values! Hi-C Grape or Orange Drink – 3 for $1.00; Campbell's Tomato Soup – 10 cans for $1.00; Pork & Beans – 10 15-oz. cans $1.00; Large Chunk Style Bologna – lb. 39 cents; Center Cut Ham – lb. 89 cents. National Food Stores – Brainerd.
80 years ago (1942)
The Brainerd Municipal Airport hangar is now locked, with seven planes inside. Federal authorities say the doors will not be reopened until it becomes a “designated airport.” To do so the city and county must provide 24-hour guards, lights and a telephone. Guards had only been part-time here.
100 years ago (1922)
George Day, a former well-known Brainerd business man, writes from his home in Hilo, the Hawaiian Islands, that he expects to come to “the States” again in the latter part of May. He spent several months here last year and visited Brainerd friends for a couple of weeks. He moved to Hawaii 28 years ago.
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
