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1900: Second railroad to Hardwick completed

Subhead
Bits by Betty
By
Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical Society

The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
 
Rock County Village, continued from 8-13-20 edition of the Star Herald.
 
Hardwick
         With the prosperous times in the country a decade ago, Hardwick kept pace and made rapid strides forward. The town’s second railroad — the branch from Worthington — was completed in 1900. The federal census of that year gave the village a population of 259. A system of water works was installed by the village in that year at a cost of $1590.30
                  The year 1901 was an exceptionally active one in building operations. The village authorities purchased shade trees, with which they lined the streets and otherwise made arrangements for making a “city beautiful.” Each year witnessed an increase in the business blocks and residences erected. Several brick blocks were put up in 1905, and later most of the board walks of the town were replaced with cement. A city hall was erected in 1908.
         The Hardwick of today differs vastly from the site a quarter of a century ago, when the few people residing in northern Rock county were vainly endeavoring to have the railroad company do something in regard to locating a town on “section 26.” The growth of this town vividly illustrates the changes that have occurred in northern Rock county during the last twenty-five years. The population of Hardwick in 1910 was 292, a substantial gain over former enumerations.
 
The School
         For several years before a school was conducted in Hardwick, the school of district No. 48 was maintained about a mile from the townsite. Among the teachers of this country school were Sarah Maher, Flora Mather, Emma A. Wright, Elma Crossman and Myra Ferguson. In 1892 thirty-seven pupils were enrolled. At a school meeting of the district on August 12, 1892, it was decided to erect a school house in the new village, and the old building was sold to J. B. Reed, for $90. The same fall a one-room building, 24x32 feet, was erected, but school was not begun in it until November, 1893, when E. W. Hunnicutt was employed as teacher. A year later another story was added to the building.
         This pioneer building served the district many years. In the spring of 1906, by a vote of 33 to 21, the electors decided to bond for $7000 for the purpose of raising money to build a new school house. Following this action the present building — one of the finest in the smaller towns of the county — was put up at a cost of $10,000. It is a four-room building, was built of Luverne pressed brick, and was constructed by Greene and Gilham. The present enrollment is about one hundred, and three teachers are employed.
        
The Churches
         Four church societies have organizations in Hardwick, of which two have houses of worship. The Presbyterian was one of the first organized and that society was the first to erect an edifice. The building was dedicated January 23, 1898, by Rev. W. J. Johnson and Rev. J. D. Gibbs. The total cost of the building was about $1400. Services are now not regularly held. Rev. R. H. Moodie is the present pastor.
         The German Lutheran Synod church was organized in the nineties by Rev. Brinkman with only five or six members. For several years services were held in the school house, but in 1901 the church edifice, costing nearly $2000, was put up. Services are held every two weeks by Rev. H. AmEnde, of Jasper.
         The Independent German Lutheran church was organized several years ago. Services are held every third Sunday in the Presbyterian church building by Rev. E. C. H. Peithmann, of Webster, South Dakota.
         The United Norwegian congregation maintains an organization. Services are conducted every third Sunday by Rev. O. J. Mundahl, of Luverne.
30This was replaced in 1909 by modern equipment at a cost of several thousand dollars, and Hardwick now has one of the best water works plants in the county with water and power sufficient to supply the wants of a town many times its size.
         The story of the village of Hardwick will continue in the August 27 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.

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