Sesquicentennial Billboard

A billboard has been displayed on State Highway 22 between St. Peter and Mankato to commemorate the June 21-22 Norseland Community Sesquicentennial Celebration. The billboard was placed early in 2008 by Bill Soderlund of St. Peter, a friend of the Norseland/New Sweden Communities. It displays an illustration done by Justin Clifton. The illustration became a collaboration between these communities, Bill Soderlund, and Justin Clifton. It was created to symbolize and highlight the heritage, the coming forth into a new land, the building, and settling of these two long standing communities, who this year celebrate 150 years of existence together under God. Along with this illustration, the billboard also highlights Norseland and New Sweden by name, along with flags of Sweden, and of Norway. end

Schedule of Events - June 21, 2008

Tours of Historic Sites-10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Norseland Lutheran Church and Cemetery; Scandian Grove Lutheran Church and Cemeteries; Methodist Cemetery; Norseland General Store; Jens Annexstad Blacksmith Shop on Allen Quist farm; Tostenston Brother’s Sesquicentennial Farm, Norseland Boy Scout Camp, District 6 School House

Pictorial Cancellation of Postcards-all day

Parade-4 p.m.

Pork Chop Supper-5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Reading of Governor’s Proclamation- 6:00 p.m.
by Liet. Governor Carol Molnau

Sharing of Talent-following the Proclamation

SEE YOU THERE!

Reaping Rewards

The early settlers made a wise decision to establish farms in the Norseland area. Our history book centers on the many families that settled and stayed here for many years and many generations. Some settlers did not stay. They moved to other areas. The August 23, 1873 issue of the St. Peter Tribune reports that Lewis Swenson sold his farm of 160 acres for $3,150 or $19.69 per acre. The farm was described as having 60 acres of timber and 50 acres of prairie under cultivation. There was a house and granary on the premises and it was located at the crossing of the St. Peter and New Auburn roads.
The 1855 Andrew Thorson letter indicated that timber land was selling for $16.00 an acre and prairie land for $1.25. This increase in land value, 1475% for the prairie ground, was extraordinary. These pioneers could reap substantial rewards for working hard and taking monumental risks.end

A Centerfold and More!

The book committee is in the process of proofing and placing photos in appropriate sections. There are many wonderful photos for us to use. In fact, we plan on having several pages with only photos and captions. The committee, in good nature refers to this as our "centerfold". It may be of interest for you to know that our book contains 69 family/farm histories. This includes nine family farm stories where the farm has being in the same family for 150 years or more. We have had 111 individuals write stories for the book and we have 327 individual articles. The total word count is 171,000 words. end

Modern Cook Stove

In 1860, a early pioneer family wrote a letter back home to Norway telling about a cookstove that was multipurpose. "And we have bought a cooking stove which cost $36, and with that one we can cook, fry pork, bake bread and make coffee, all at the same time."

This information came from Svend Svensen and Guri Sandersdatter.

The Governor Ate Here

The story is told about "Burke's Black Lantern Cafe" which was a business establishment in Norseland during the 1930's. The cafe was a type of outside restaurant and was located across the street from the Norseland Store.

Sibley Burke, proprietor of the cafe, was considered a man ahead of his time and very flamboyant. Evidently, Floyd B. Olson, who later became the Governor or the state stopped at the Burke restaurant. He ordered an "onion sandwich". The cook was fresh out of onions and had to rob a neighbor's garden to fulfill the request. I imagine that made the sandwich taste even better. end

The Governor Ate Here