MAY 18
20 years ago (2002)
A small plastic device resembling a hand grenade was discovered in city council member Gary Scheeler's mailbox. He called police who said it was a non-lethal smoke bomb that covered the inside of the mailbox in soot. Scheeler said contentious annexation discussions prompted threatening letters and phone calls for two years.
30 years ago (1992)
Brainerd Community College lost half its women's tennis team to graduation and coach Kathy Bolstad wondered if BCC could compete with the top teams. Turns out the top teams couldn't compete with BCC, as Brainerd won their first-ever Region 13 title and then took the state title last weekend.
40 years ago (1982)
The discovery of a long-lost city building code – which was adopted in 1971 but never enforced - prompted charges of irresponsibility at last night's city council meeting. Tim Cotter, a legal aid attorney here since 1979, had inquired about a building code. “I was told there was no such animal,” he said.
60 years ago (1962)
(Adv.) It's the talk of the town! Delightful dining at Greer's Cafe and Dining Room in Pequot Lakes. Our Sunday Special: Roast Young Turkey, or Southern Fried Chicken, or Delicious Virginia Baked Ham – Your choice, $1.50. Sunday hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
80 years ago (1942)
Fishing was swell on Mille Lacs but even better on Gull Lake for the opener, as many caught a limit of eight walleyes. The four Besic brothers of Steamboat Bay took in 28 beauties from Gull Lake. Bill Demmers, “Rich” Bush and O. Herington left work at 5:30 p.m., yet were off Gull Lake before dark with a limit of 24 walleye.
100 years ago (1922)
(Adv.) The New Park Theatre- the Home of Special Features presents: Tonight Only at 8 p.m.! The Kilties Band, Canada's finest concert band, appearing in their full regimental uniforms. Back from a world tour of 6,000 concerts. Special feature – Bagpipe selections by Wee Jamie Clark. Admission: 25 cents and 75 cents.
8/46: First shipment of iron ore on the Cuyuna Range from the Kennedy Mine.
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.
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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