This Was Brainerd - June 27

JUNE 27

20 years ago (2002)

BIR president Bill Singleterry's first visit to the Brainerd race track was almost his last. He left Brainerd's airport the night of Aug. 14, 2000, in a twin-engine plane. A half-hour later, over northern Michigan, both engines blew out in a storm. The pilot and co-pilot died in the crash. Singleterry and another man were injured, but survived.

30 years ago (1992)

Once upon a time a young lady wanted a graduation ring more than anything. She saved until she had the $7.50 – it was 1934. Two months later she died. The ring went to her sister, who wore it at her own graduation. She married in 1937 and lost the ring the next year. It stayed lost for 54 years until a classmate found and returned it – and Blanche Loftis was overjoyed.

40 years ago (1982)

(Photo) “Brutus,” the newest member of the Brainerd Police Dept., doesn't wear a badge and wouldn't know what to do with a gun. But the German shepherd is an awesome crime fighter. Handler Tom Wachsmuth says he's an expert tracker, helps search buildings and is excellent at sniffing out narcotics.

60 years ago (1962)

(Photo) This stately elm over-looking the Mississippi River is known as the Witness Tree, though the origin of its name is something of a mystery. But the formal dedication of Crow Wing State Park will take place under its branches July 8. Gov. Elmer L. Andersen will be the featured speaker.

80 years ago (1942)

A Cass County boy, age 13, who was being held in connection with fires that burned down two farm homes, two barns, a granary and a chicken coop, has made a complete confession to Sheriff J. Elmer Johnson. Both farms are located about 1.5 miles west of Bar Harbor. The boy said he “felt an urge to start fires.”

100 years ago (1922)

Mayor Frank Little is doing all possible to safeguard life and property during the 50^th Anniversary week-long celebration. Special police, detectives and plainclothes men will be in town in large numbers. And not just in the business district; they will be scattered through residential areas as well.

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8/46: First shipment of iron ore on the Cuyuna Range from the Kennedy Mine.

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27/46: 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.

28/46: 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.

29/46: 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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35/46: Brainerd Fire Department. Dispatch archives

36/46: 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

37/46: 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.

38/46: 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.

39/46: 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.

40/46: 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.

41/46: 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.

42/46: Brainerd Dispatch archives

43/46: The state hospital campus on Highway 18.

44/46: Santa takes a ride during a Christmas parade in downtown Brainerd.

45/46: Children crowd around Santa during downtown Brainerd Christmas festivities.

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