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1892: Randell-Holbert Lumber company ignites business in 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 11-12-20 edition of the Star Herald.)
 
         Within two weeks after the plat was recorded, Gov. Yale had sold ten lots in the new town, more were sold a little later, and the promoters predicted a lively boom during the season of 1892. And they were not altogether disappointed in their hope. One of the first men to become interested in the promotion of the town and to lay plans for its future was Capt. E. H. Holbert, of Luverne. He became the owner of the townsite and at once started Magnolia’s career of improvement. The Randall-Holbert Lumber company had a branch yard, managed by Ezra Hartwell, in full operation by the opening of spring, and a blacksmith shop was opened about the same time by Teller & Johnson. Capt. E. H. Holbert, in company with W. H. Randall and W. A. Douglas, under the firm name of W. A. Douglas & Co., erected a store building, in which a well stocked general merchandise store was in full operation by May 1, making the second general store in the town. During the summer of 1892 a hotel and livery barn were built by John Carlson. A church was erected by public subscription and dwelling houses sprung up in all parts of the village. The total improvements for the year approximated $13,000. Itemized they were as follows:
W. A. Douglas & Co., store building, $1500; Church, 1300; John Carlson, hotel, 1200; W. A. Douglas, residence, 1000; C. E. Rolph, residence, 800; Joseph Miller, residence, 800; Ezra Pockett, residence, 800; Fred Pinchers, residence, 700; Ed. Teller, residence, 500; Chris. Johnson, residence, 500; W. H. Randall & Co., lumber shed and office, 500; I. E. Crosby, residence, 500; Ezra Hartwell, barn, 400; A. Bonnett, addition to store, 400; Mrs. E. Knowlton, residence, 350; Teller & Johnson, blacksmith shop, 300; F. G. Domrese, addition to residence, 300; I. M. Cady, residence, 300; C. L. Premo, barn, 100; Total $12,700.
         Progress continued during the next several years. Frederick Baker established a meat market in Magnolia in 1893 and was the first business man to locate on Broadway, the street upon which the business interests of the town have since centered. In March of that year Magnolia boasted of a local newspaper, the Citizen, which in July was succeeded by the Advance, a publication which has since maintained a continuous existence. Several other new business enterprises were born, and among the building improvements of the year were a $2000 school house and the Farmers elevator.
         Magnolia became an incorporated municipality in the fall of 1894. A census taken in July showed that there was a population within the limits of the proposed municipality that would allow its incorporation. At a meeting of the county commissioners on July 20, a petition asking for the incorporation of the village of Magnolia was received with favor by that body. It made provision for holding a special election on September 4 at the office of the Magnolia Mercantile company to ballot on the question of creating a municipality, and named M. J. Phinney, A. J. Calkins and John Carlson inspectors to conduct the election.
         26In reviewing the events of the year 1892 in Magnolia the Rock County Herald referred to the active part played in the development of the town by Capt. Holbert. It said: “The record of building operations in Magnolia this season makes an excellent showing. Although Magnolia has been a railroad station for a good many years, very little building has been done in the place until the present year. Very fortunately for Magnolia, the town plat came into the possession of Capt. E. H. Holbert about a year ago, and this enterprising, energetic and public spirited gentleman, who always succeeds in whatever he undertakes, set out last spring to build the place and make a town of it. Since the 22nd of last April Capt. Holbert has sold forty-two lots in Magnolia.”
 
         The story of the village of Magnolia will continue in the Nov. 25 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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