Stearns Sesquicentennial
1855-2005
April 12, 2005 was a festive day around the Stearns County Administration Center. It included a step back in history with a commemorative County Board meeting, a costume contest, and historical displays from around the County.
The Board of Commissioners, decked out in historical costumes, convened a special County Board meeting.
It featured visits and educational talks from historians and costumed living history performers, including Sam Pandolfo, Henry Waite, Alice Whitney and D.B. Searle.
Topics discussed include the architecture and housing history of the county, agriculture, the history of the Pan Cars, railroading and its impact on the county’s development, and the granite industry.
Several historical societies were on hand in the Administration Center rotunda, displaying items from their town’s history. An original Pan Car decorated the front sidewalk. Many employees also participated in the events and entered the costume contest judged by the County Board. Visitors also received a free granite coaster and kettle corn. WJON held a live radio show and a barbershop quartet sang sweet tunes.
Events were also held at the Stearns History Museum and Quarry Park. More than 400 people were on hand at the History Museum to celebrate the opening of the exhibit “Crossing Stearns County.” At Quarry Park, many visitors stood in line for their turn at a horse-drawn wagon ride.
Learn about more local history by visiting our County History page and viewing a special magazine dedicated to the County's Sesquicentennial (1.5 Mb PDF file). The magazine includes feature stories and a look back at events that occurred across the County over the past 150 years.