At the 1910 election, A.C. Douglass was elected to the council. In that year the Pure Oil Company erected the first bulk oil tanks in Kimball and Wm. Campbell and son opened the first garage, the latter being where the Maus service station now stands (Editor’s note: the location in 1936 was on Hazel Ave). A few automobiles were purchased in the village, some of the purchasers being Wm. Campbell, C.D. Brower, C.L. Spaulding, E.F. Mielke, and Lawrence Gasser.
Dr. Sherwood was appointed the first automobile dealer representing the Ford Motor Company. N.A. Brown arrived as manager of the Central Lumber Company.
In January 1911 the school building, which stood where the Christian Church stands, burned and classes were held in the village hall and the various churches the balance of that term and until Thanksgiving time of the fall term. The new school was erected where the present school now stands, on a three-acre plot of ground which the board obtained by trading the old plot for the new one with C.D. Brower, Mr. Brower having platted Browers first and second additions to the village the previous year to care for the demand for new residential lots. The cost of the new school was approximately $25,000 with equipment.
Sherwood’s addition to the village was approved in 1911. In that year school District No. 147 which had originally been a part of District No. 80, was again consolidated with District No. 80 and the pupils transported by bus.
The only change in the council in the 1912 election was A.J. Hamilton being elected to the council. In that year, the Farmers Livestock Association was organized with D.D. Hull as manager, which continued to function until about 1924, when it disolved for lack of patronage.
The Farmers State Bank was organized and opened for business Sept. 12, 1912. Thos. Hoskins was the first president, and J.M Arrowood the first cashier. The bank continued to operate in Kimball until 1926 when it was consolidated with the South Haven Bank and moved there.
A.H. Houghton was appointed village marshall. Two new pressure gasoline street lamps were installed and a similar system in the village hall which had been lighted by acetylene gas up to that time.
The 1913 election showed J.E. Johnson mayor; W.J. Walters recorder, and Alex Breit and M.C. Caylor to the council. That year an ordinance was adopted setting the maximum speed limit at 15 miles per hour.
Fred G. Brower moved to Kimball in 1913 and opened a real estate office.
The 1914 election showed the following changes: F.G. Brower mayor, Alex Breit, C.R. Nelson, and M.C. Caylor councilmen; L. Engel recorder. The saloon license fee was raised to $750 and it was voted to pay $1,500 on the village debt. A sidewalk was built from the Christian Church corner to the school house.
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In the 1930s the Works Progress Administration (WPA) became one of the most successful programs, on a national level, providing work for 8.5 million during the depth of the Depression, building hospitals, schools, playgrounds, including such career fields as artists, actors, musicians, writers, photographers and historians. Start planning now to attend our next Kimball Area Historical Society meeting/event featuring renowned speaker/teacher Bill Morgan 7 p.m. Tuesday,Sept. 28. We’re saving a spot for you. More information right here in this column Sept. 23, just two weeks away.
You’ll enjoy the debut of Phase 5 City Hall restoration project, as both significant exterior and interior restoration continues with more incredible state matching grants, doubling your donations. Isn’t that great?
Welcome to new members during Kimball Days. Keep an eye on this column bi-weekly for more great history and announcements of even more future events.
For more information, if you’d like to contact us, we’d love to hear from you. The Kimball Area Historical Society, Box 100, Kimball MN 55353, phone (320) 398-5743, or 398-5250, or e-mail cnewman@meltel.net.
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Memories of summer fun
bring back the good times
Early history of Kimball is filled with items of interest Reprinted from the Tri-County Messenger dated Thursday, October 1, 1936, V.H. Mason, Editor Part XII Beyond 1910, continued
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