This Day in History

Compiled by Jean Lundquist

St. Peter holding historic picnic

Many gathered at the Traverse des Sioux on 80th anniversary of treaty July 20, 1931

On July 23, 1851, the documents known as the Traverse des Sioux Treaty were signed. In that treaty, Dakota leaders ceded millions of acres to governments for 7.5 cents per acre.

In 1926, a huge celebration marking the 75th anniversary of the signing was held at the site, on the north side of St. Peter. Pageants were staged, and extensive efforts were made to re-create the event, which gave “white men … possession of much of southern Minnesota.” In exchange, the tribes were guaranteed annuity payments, and a stretch along the Minnesota River of 130 miles and 10 miles on either side.

However, in 1931, no pageantry was planned, just a simple community picnic.

July 9, 1982

After buying the orange popcorn wagon from Charles Vogel, Opal Larson ran the gas-fired corn popper for 27 years. It was downtown every night on the National Citizens Bank corner. It was one of four such wagons in the city.

Her customers told her she had the best popcorn in the city. “That’s what they say, but I don’t know. I don’t eat the stuff myself. Never did,” she said.

In 1975, it was pulled out of storage and bought by Don and Cel Wolfe for $600. It was Unit No. 36 in that year’s Bend of the River Parade in Mankato.

When not in parades, the Wolfes set up shop in a service station driveway on the main drag in St. Peter. The wagon was built on a new ’34 Plymouth, constructed by two brothers in North Mankato. It was always orange.

Creative Company wins conservation award July 3, 2012

When Creative Company moved to its current location on Howard Drive in North Mankato, their architect advised them to create a natural-looking prairie to complement the modern, sharp lines of the building.

Owner Tom Peterson tried, but the prairie failed, and noxious weeds took over.

City officials had something to say about that, so a professional company was hired to establish a true prairie and maintain it. Utility company trucks have caused damage to the five-acre prairie, by driving on it, believing it to be just weeds.

“You’re pioneering. You’re going to get beat up a little,” said a club member of the Many Rivers Chapter of the Prairie Enthusiasts during the presentation of the Conservationist of the Year award.

July 5, 2000

Two Shriners groups participated in the Fourth of July parade in St. Peter, driving tiny cars in various formations while wearing hats that looked like upside down flower pots. The hat is known as a fez.

While people recognize the Shriners for the tiny automobiles and curious headgear, they are actually a philanthropic group.

The Mankato Area Shriners Patrol, known as the Mankato T-Birds, planned to appear in more than 25 parades the summer of 2000. The money they were paid for these appearances was donated to free hospital care for children. The T-Birds expected to donate $10,000 to the network of 19 hospitals and three burn units.