This Was Brainerd - July 13

JULY 13

20 years ago (2002)

Former Chief Deputy Dan Gottsch, fired last year by Sheriff Dick Ross, levels a variety of allegations against his former boss in a lengthy statement as Gottsch retires after 25 years in law enforcement. At this same time the race for sheriff expands as former Brainerd police officer Keith Emerson files to run against Ross and challenger Eric Klang.

30 years ago (1992)

Campventioners slapped more than mosquitoes last night. They clapped their hands and stamped their feet to the songs of country singer Lee Greenwood, the Grammy winner best known for his patriotic anthem “God Bless the U.S.A.” Rain clouds cleared and the sun popped out as Greenwood stepped onto the stage.

40 years ago (1982)

A city council committee has turned down a proposal to install a city-wide computer system. Councilman Don O'Brien said he'd like to have it but can't justify it at this time. City clerk Dick Johnson said the computer wouldn't save money in terms of either dollars or personnel.

60 years ago (1962)

(Photos) Defending champ Curtis Roller (right) won the city rec soapbox derby for the second straight year in his car, “The Wild Woody.” If he wins again next year he can retire the large trophy. Roller was unbeaten, edging out Greg Freeman at left. A total of 30 cars entered the races down Cemetery Hill.

80 years ago (1942)

A girl who gave her name to Lum Park authorities as Irene Chambers, 18, of Brainerd, was saved from drowning at the Lum Park swimming beach at Rice Lake. The girl dived into the lake and did not come up. Two young men leaped into the water and brought her to shore where she was revived.

100 years ago (1922)

A Brainerd physician was highly honored as Gov. J.A.O. Preus appointed Dr. John A. Thabes to the Minnesota State Board of Health. The friends of Dr. Thabes rejoice in his singular honor and say it is merited by his long years of painstaking attention to the calls of his practice.

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Community

This Was Brainerd - Feb. 1

A look through the Brainerd Dispatch archives with Terry McCollough combing the microfilm for tidbits of history through the decades going back to 1923.

February 01, 2023 03:57 AM

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By  Terry McCollough

Community

This Was Brainerd - Jan. 31

January 31, 2023 03:57 AM

Community

This Was Brainerd - Jan. 30

January 30, 2023 04:30 AM

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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.

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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.

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50/50: Brainerd Dispatch archives