Text from the Feb. 2, 1984, Tri-County News. While a portion of Crockett’s building still stands due to the combined efforts of the Kimball Fire Department and those of Watkins, Eden Valley, South Haven and Dassel, very little of value remains. Fire swept through the 1921 wood structure Thursday afternoon destroying materials stored for the Wednesday night auctions held there, and some bedding and other items stored there for H & M Furniture Store. That business belongs to Dave (“Crockett”) Hendricks and Dean Mozena. “We brought the roasts that were in the oven home,” Dave said. “The oven was well enough insulated so they were not hurt.” The roasts were to be used at a feed sponsored by the Gannon Elevator on Monday. The loss of “Crockett’s” is not only a terrible loss for Dave and Joann, but one that affects the entire community. The building has been used for a great many social functions the last number of years since Dave remodeled it, and “Crockett’s” will be greatly missed. The Wednesday night auctions held there have been enjoyed by many for several years. Then there is the roller skating which was held Friday evenings for the benefit of children of the area. Since the insurance rate on the building soared to $5,000 a year, there has been no insurance on the building or its contents. That makes the financial loss very hard to bear. Only memories remain. There are still a few who remember helping to build the building in 1921. The following two paragraphs are reprinted from the “Early History of Kimball” as printed in the Tri-County Messenger in 1936. “1921 was marked by two outstanding events of community interest. The Kimball Community Club was organized, with a membership of over 100; the club still functions and takes a leading part in all community affairs. “The other event was the incorporation of the Kimball Livestock and Sales Pavilion Association, more commonly known as the Fair Association. Thirty men of the village and adjoining territory took a $100 share each, and practically everyone donated labor for the grading or articles for the benefit auction sale that was held. An exhibit building was erected the same year, and in 1925 the Legion Post added a dance pavilion. The grounds, which include several acres, are used for all community events, baseball games and other recreational activities.” The rear portion of the building was used by Tony Kowalski for a number of years. Dave purchased the former dance hall portion of the building from the Kimball Legion Post, and the rest of the building from the city of Kimball. He acquired a 40-year lease on the ground on which it stood. What are Dave’s plans for the future? At the present he has made no decisions. What will Kimball do without access to an area and services Crockett’s supplied? Editor’s notes: First, the Kimball Community Club mentioned in this article lives on, now as the Kimball Area Chamber of Commerce. Second, it is with additional sadness that we note the passing last week of Valeria Kowalski, whose husband Tony had used part of Crockett’s for many years. The Kimball Area Historical Society thanks you for your ongoing support, including 2003 renewal of memberships. We also welcome new memberships. (If you need an application, let us know.) If you have something to share about this week’s column, please contact us. If you have a story and/or photos of local historical interest, we welcome your contribution (which, of course, will be returned to you). Come and enjoy an evening of relaxation, reminiscence and friendship at our next meeting, Tuesday, June 24, with a special history-related program. Do you have a scrapbook or other items you can loan for the annual history exhibit during the Kimball Days Festival? Please reserve them for the community to enjoy. More than 400 guests visited the exhibit last year. The Historical Society will display your items for those few days, then return them to you. Watch for more details and reminders in the weeks ahead, here in the Tri-County News. For more information, call Mary Johnson or Carol Newman at (320) 398-5250 or 398-5743, or (800) 252-2521 from outside the Kimball area.
