The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
Rock County Village continued from 9-24-20 edition of the Star Herald.
Beaver Creek
The banner year in Beaver Creek’s whole history was 1885. A correspondent writing in October said: “Business lots on First avenue are in demand. An addition to the town plat is talked of in order to supply the increasing want. Buildings are going up in every direction and we haven’t mechanics enough to supply the orders for work.” The Herald on June 12 told of the progress the town was making:
There is no mistaking the fact that Beaver Creek is enjoying a lively “boom.” To one who has not visited the place for a few months the transformation wrought during that time is surprising. In fact, Beaver Creek of a year ago is practically a thing of the past, and in its stead a new town has appeared. New buildings appear in all parts of the village and the business lots which but a short time ago were vacant are now, particularly along the portion of the business street east of the corners occupied respectively by Colonel White and K. N. Knudtson, covered with substantial business houses. Moreover, the town authorities have been active and enterprising in the matter of public improvements. The streets have been graded, the public buildings and grounds improved, and new sidewalks have been built along the entire length of First avenue, as well as upon other streets.
An even thirty buildings, the total value of which was $30,000, were erected during the year 1885,18 of which sixteen were business houses.19 A business directory published in June (after which a newspaper, bank and several other enterprises were started) gave the following list of business men: L. C. Mittelstadt & Co., lumber yard (A. C. Goltz, manager); J. O. Brictson, hardware and implements; John Obele, harness shop; Harry Kiffe, wagon shop; Dr. W. T. Berry, physician and drug store; A. E. Patterson, implements; J. M. Park, drug store; George B. Roderick, groceries and provisions; K. N. Knudtson, general merchandise; J. M. Bennett, saloon and billiard hall; Pat Toohey, saloon and billiard hall; George Tunstall, carpenter and cabinet maker; Dr. Cummings, physician; Jacob Hettinger, blacksmith shop; A. Hess, shoe shop and boarding house; L. S. Welker, meat market; J. O. Tyler, postmaster; Mrs. J. O Tyler, millinery store; Mr. Evans, temperance saloon; Colonel Harrison White, general merchandise, grain and live stock; Hume & Campbell, lumber and furniture; A. Obele, blacksmith shop; John Gassoway, barber shop; Fred Scott, dray line.
During this period in the career of the town, when it boasted a population of 165, according to the census of 1885, in the winter of 1885-86, its residents sought to wrest the county seat from Luverne. An active campaign was waged for a few weeks, but the obstacles to be overcome were too great and the effort was abandoned.
During the latter half of the eighties, before the railroads brought competing towns, Beaver Creek continued to be a thriving and progressive village. The fast developing country surrounding brought prosperity to its merchants, and the little town continued its forward march until a series of events occurred which put a damper on all progress. The building of two new lines of railway, both of which passed close to town, and the founding of Bruce, Manley and Hills in its former territory were serious blows. Then came two fires, destroying many of the business houses and entailing losses of many thousand dollars, which added to the retrogression.
18Figures by the Sioux Falls Press, January, 1886.
19Among those who erected business houses were L. C. Mittelstadt & Co., John B. Obele, Henry Kiffe, K. N. Knudtson, J. M. Bennett, Pat Toobey, Dr. Cummings, H. Hess, J. O. Tyler and J. A. Hettinger. Among those who erected residences were E. C. Conant, J. D. Campbell, Abram Osmun, C. C. Cox, O. A. Hume, William Carney, Thomas Carney, R. Reitz, John Michelson, G. B. Roderick, Will Leavans, A. C. Goltz, J. O. Brictson and Harrison White.
The story of the village of Beaver Creek will continue in the Oct. 8 edition of the Star Herald.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.