The fourth annual iteration of Brainerd History Week kicked off Monday, opening with a few tours of local landmarks.
There were tours of Brainerd City Hall and the Crow Wing County Historic Courthouse, as well as walking tours of downtown Brainerd and the Mississippi River.
For the river-themed tour, participants gathered in a parking lot south of the North Star Apartments and proceeded to Kiwanis Park, Buster Park and around Boom Lake.
About 15-20 people joined local amateur historian Carl Faust on the tour. Faust discussed a variety of historical markers along the walk. The first marker was one dedicated to Lyman P. White, who came to Brainerd in 1870 and is considered the father of Brainerd for his role in starting the town. He was the first city council president and the town's second mayor.
"And consider the fact he did all of that after 60 (years old)," Faust said. "It's pretty impressive."
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Faust explained another marker which detailed one of two steamboat landings on the Mississippi River. The landings were built around 1871 and played a key role in area commerce, until a dam was put on the river in 1887. Faust explained how the river was used for logging and the technique loggers used to transport timber down the river.
Along the walk, Faust pointed out a sewer main manhole cover, made in 1938 in a foundry in Brainerd. There's still a few of the old covers in the city, he said, but you have to look out for them.
"You walk right by it and miss it if you're not looking for it," Faust said.
The J.J. Howe Lumber Company played a key role in shaping Boom Lake and the surrounding area. It's called Boom Lake because loggers used to transport timber to the lake using a technique called booming, Faust said. There were a variety of large lumber mill buildings surrounding the lake, all of which are gone now.
On the east side of Boom Lake sit the remains of the Brainerd Brewing Company, which operated from 1880-1914. A concrete slab outlines where the brewery sat. Faust found the concrete slab on a walk during the winter and has since cleared the area where the slab is.
The Boom Lake ski slide was built in 1938 and a toboggan slide was added in 1941, Faust said. The slide was built by a ski club which charged $1 for membership, but noted whoever wanted to use the slide could. Skiers would often launch off the slide and land on Boom Lake, Faust said, which could be a risky proposition.
Brainerd City Council President Dave Pritschet participated in both walking tours Monday. He said he was excited to partake in Brainerd History Week for the first time, as he's usually been out of town during the weeklong celebration.
History Week events continue
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Events are set for the rest of the week to celebrate Brainerd's history.
Tuesday
There will be a children's day parade at 10 a.m. around Harrison Elementary School. A genealogy program at 2 p.m. at the Brainerd Public Library focusing on descendents of original Brainerd settlers.
At 4 p.m., there will be another downtown Brainerd history walk. The event will take place rain or shine. The roughly 1.4-mile route has no stairs or steep grades.
At 6 p.m. at Harrison Elementary School, planning commission member Chuck Marohn will host a presentation on the architecture and geographic layout of southeast Brainerd. After the presentation, Marohn will lead a walking tour in the neighborhood to point out some of the things he talked about. The talk and tour will run from 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be an open house at the Brainerd National Guard Armory featuring military history displays. Walt Straka, the last survivor of the Bataan Death March, will be in the regimental room from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At 4 p.m., the Elk's Lodge will host a Flag Day ceremony at the Crow Wing County All Veterans Memorial at the Crow Wing County Courthouse. A social hour at the Elk's Lodge will follow.
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At 7 p.m., there will be a downtown Brainerd history walk. The event will take place rain or shine. The roughly 1.4-mile route has no stairs or steep grades.
Thursday
From 1-5 p.m., there will be tours of Northern Pacific Center tours, leaving every half-hour from the Clock Tower building. Following the tours, participants can stop by the Roundhouse Brewery or the NP Event Space.
From 5-8 p.m., a flotilla of canoes and kayaks will float down the Mississippi River from a landing near Evergreen Cemetery to Kiwanis Park. Local rental companies will provide canoes and kayaks at a cost of $20 per person.
Friday
From 2-4:30 p.m., there will be a centennial celebration at the Crow Wing County Historical Society to celebrate the museum's 100th anniversary. At 2:30 p.m., the museum building will be rededicated.
Saturday
At 10 a.m., there will be a plaque dedication ceremony at Shipman Auto Parts, 1711 SE 13th St., in honor of the historic Rosko Field airfield in southeast Brainerd.
