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1884: How a town named Drake became Magnolia

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

The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
 
Rock County Village (continued from 11-05-20 edition of the Star Herald.)
 
         During the summer of 1884 an event occurred which resulted in the death of one proposed town and the birth of another. The victim in this case was Drake. That point had proven to be an undesirable location for any expansion on the part of the railroad company, in the way of building side tracks, as it was situated at the end of a long cut. So when a movement to found a town a half mile farther west was launched, the railroad authorities offered their co-operation. The plan for the new town was largely the idea of Ex-Lieut. Gov. W. H. Yale, of Winona, who had large farming interests in Magnolia and Vienna townships, and who was desirous of founding a convenient market. He came to the site on July 16, 1884, prepared to plat the site of the proposed town.22 Any plat that may have been made at this time, however, was never placed on record. Yet there was a start made of the town. The railroad company secured ground at the new location and erected a depot building in October, 1884. The station was opened March 13, 1885, and a Mr. Cook, formerly of Ashton, Iowa, installed as agent.
         The year 1885 witnessed the complete abandonment of all private and railroad interests at Drake station. The grain warehouse was moved to the newer Drake (as it was known for a while), and in October Ira Crosby moved his store building. There was one building on the townsite selected, a building that had been there for many years prior to the more recent activities. That was the residence of George Phinney, who had taken as a homestead the land on section 11, Magnolia township, which was included in the townsite. At the close of the year 1885 a correspondent reported two elevators, a depot and a store in the new town. The Peavey company put up the second grain house.
         Every indication for healthy growth was evident in 1886. The postoffice, which succeeded the old Westside office, was established in February with Ira E. Crosby, the pioneer merchant, as postmaster.23 A third grain warehouse was erected in the spring by Jones Bros., of Adrian, and in the same season the railroad company established stock yards on its property. On May 2 an order was issued by the railroad authorities which officially changed the name of the station from  Drake to Magnolia.24 M. T. Hough established a blacksmith shop in May, and during the year residences were erected by P. Phinney, M. Pickett, J. Bill and C. E. Rolph. Early in 1887, O. R. Brooks, grain buyer for the Peavey company, engaged in the fuel and flour business, and in May A. J. Bonnett opened the town’s second general store. Beyond that the town experienced no growth for several years, or until the awakening which the early nineties held in store.
         The new order of things in the history of Magnolia dates from the fall of 1891, when the platting of the town became an actuality. The townsite was still in the possession of Ex-Gov. Yale, and it was by him, with the co-operation of Frank A. Johnston, that this important action was taken. The survey was made in October by W. N. Davidson, and on the 19th of that month the plat was filed for record in the office of the register of deeds. The original townsite was made to consist of nine blocks and four outlots. The streets running north and south were named Garfield, Broadway, Washington and Lincoln, and they were intersected by Luverne, State and Main.25    
                  22“Ex-Gov. W. H. Yale arrived at Drake station Wednesday evening, bringing with him the plat of a new station which the Sioux City railroad officials have concluded to locate on the old Hovey farm. The engineers will arrive at Drake Thursday evening, July 17, to stake out the town plat. This will, indeed, be a benefit to the citizens of our township in the way of raising the valuation of adjoining lands, and will be a help to the county generally.” — Correspondence in Rock County Herald, July 18, 1884.
         23Succeeding postmasters of Magnolia with dates of service have been: A. V. Lyle, December, 1890, to July, 1891; M. J. Phinney, July, 1891, to March 1898; M. Pickett, March, 1898, to 1911. One rural route, established in June, 1907, is in operation. 
         24The town was named from the township in which it is located. The township was named Magnolia at the time of its organization, November 27, 1872. The name was selected by Philo Hawes, after his old home in Rock county, Wisconsin. That place was named directly or indirectly for Pierre Magnol, in whose honor the Magnolia tree was named.
         25Two additions to Magnolia have been platted, as follows:
         Kleine’s, by William Kleine, July 11, 1894; surveyed by W. N. Davidson.
         Gutzaler’s, by Harriet Gutzler, May 1, 1899; surveyed by W. N. Davidson.
 
         The story of the village of Magnolia will continue in the Nov. 19 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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