APRIL 7
20 years ago (2002)
Paul Koering's first two bids for the State Senate were close and closer, finishing just 411 votes behind Don Samuelson in 2000. The time, with redistricting, the Fort Ripley Republican hopes to come out on top. “I still believe strongly in public service,” said the owner of a funeral car service.
30 years ago (1992)
A steady morning rain made the Warrior baseball opener look unlikely, but bright sunshine brought a beautiful spring day. That was the only good part, though, as Little Falls pounded four Brainerd pitchers for a 10-1 victory. Those pitchers showed early season wildness as they gave up eight walks.
40 years ago (1982)
St. Joseph's Hospital has been granted a state certificate of need to construct an 87,000 -square-foot addition to the north side of the present hospital. It will be funded by $13.2 million in revenue bonds and $2.1 million in hospital reserves. The hospital will also add parking for 75 cars.
60 years ago (1962)
A burglar alarm at the Log Cabin Bar apparently foiled yet another attempted robbery in Brainerd. Owner Everett Lassig said nothing was missing after the alarm sounded at 3:32 a.m. In Little Falls, LaFond's Bar was entered through a basement window and a large sum of cash taken.
80 years ago (1942)
Tentative plans to erect a log cabin, probably on the site of the city water tower, was announced today by the Jaycees. The cabin would be used as a tourist information bureau. Permission to build below the water tower has yet to be received from the water and light board.
100 years ago (1922)
The Mahlum Lumber Co. staged a huge paint sale the other day, and it was good paint which retailed at the amazing price of $1.50 a gallon. People came from across the county to buy, and the sale was so successful the company ran out of paint early and had to quit advertising in the Dispatch.
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