10 years ago (2013)
•Rock County and one of its early pioneer families are featured in a current exhibit at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul.
Doreen Rollag of rural Beaver Creek learned that a replica of the sod house that was once on her current acreage is part of a display illustrating early prairie life.
“We were thrilled,” Doreen said about her recent visit to the History Center. “It was full of write-ups and pictures.”
The sod home had been built in 1873 by her husband Leonard’s grandparents, Gro and Ole Rollag. They settled there as newlyweds after they left Norway for a new life in Rock county.
The replica of a sod house in “Then Now Wow” is based on the Rollag home, and visitors are encouraged to explore the interior rooms, sit on the beds and try on the prairie clothing that was once worn by the settlers.
The Rollags lived in the 12-by-16 foot sod house for seven years before building the frame home that Doreen lives in now. “I’ve lived there for 60 years,” Doreen said. “We’ve added to the house, but it’s still on the old foundation of rocks.”
25 years ago (1998)
•Chuck Egland is settling into his duties as the new postmaster in Luverne. He became postmaster officially Feb. 14, but he’s been officer in charge since Oct. 23. His installation was Friday.
Egland comes to Luverne from Winona where he’s spent the past nine years. He started there as a postal carrier in 1987 and has been supervisor since 1993. Both he and his wife, Jean, also hail from Winona as their hometown.
He said the reason he came to Luverne was the opportunity for advancement in the postal service. Now that he’s here, Egland said Luverne seems like a town he could easily call home. “People are friendly here, and when you drive into this town, it’s a clean town,” he said. “It’s not somewhere where you’d be ashamed to live. It’s impressive when you get off the exit and drive through town.”
50 years ago (1973)
•Two South Dakota youths whose names were withheld until charges were officially filed, were apprehended at the Luverne Livestock Association Sale barn here Saturday, after two stolen calves were recovered at the barn.
Sheriff Ole Hommen said the Lake County sheriff, of Madison, S.D., came here to get the youths, one a juvenile and one just over 18. They were released on their own recognizance.
According to Sheriff Hommen, a Volga, S.D., farmer discovered the loss of the two calves Saturday morning. The calves were taken from a barn on his farm.
75 years ago (1948)
•Four teachers in the local school system have resigned their positions, and do not plan to teach here next year, Supt. M.C. Munson announced yesterday.
They are as follows:
Miss Joyce Hesla, instructor of vocal music; Miss Barbara Wangsness, English and dramatics; Miss Rubye Philipp, second grade; Miss Laila Leikvold, girls’ physical education and biology.
Clarence J. Ekeland, athletic coach, resigned from his coaching activities, but has been extended a contract for a “straight” teaching position.
100 years ago (1923)
•A new business enterprise in Luverne, the Associated Dollar Tire store, will formally open tomorrow morning at eight o’clock. The company has leased the store building in the McGrath block, recently occupied by the Downs bowling alleys, and the business will be managed by J.A. Jacobson, of Sioux Falls, a former resident of this county.
The Associated Dollar Tire Company, with headquarters at Kansas City, Mo., operates an extensive line of chain stores throughout the country, and conducts its places of business on what is termed “the associated dollar plan.” By this is meant that any customer who purchases one of their pneumatic tires or tubes at their list price, can secure a similar tire or tube at the additional price of only $1.00.
Mr. Jacobson, manager of the store, invites all motor owners in the county to call the store tomorrow, if possible.
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