History of the Minnesota Valley; History of Big Stone, Traverse and Grant Counties

New 32 Page Booklet. Early days in Minnesota's Big Stone, Traverse & Grant Counties are recalled in this spiral bound booklet reprinted from the rare 1882 book: History of the Minnesota Valley, by the Rev. Edward D. Neill, with additions from the WPA's Minnesota, a State Guide. The booklet is printed one-sided on 60# paper with the print enlarged for easier reading. A vinyl sheet has been added to protect the front cover. The booklet contains information on the following communities: Big Stone County -- Ortonville, Odessa, Big Stone, Prior, Graceville, Browns Valley, Bay View, Tokua, Almond, Malta, Otrey, Artichoke, Akron; Traverse County -- Village of Browns Valley; Grant County -- Elbow Lake; and the Sisseton and Wahpeton Indian Reservation. Among the many subjects discussed are: Physical Features, such as Artichoke and Big Stone Lakes; Ole Bolsta, Jacob Hurly, C.K. Orton, Robert "Red Head" Dickson, Walter Steers, Joseph R. Brown, Solomon Robert, Moses Mireau, and other early settlers;Early public officials and legal actions questioning the legality of the county organization; County and/or community "firsts," such as the first store, first marriage, first church services, first death, first birth, first school, etc.; Railroad's arrival; the "Helen Balch" steamboat; Boundary markers between MN and Dakota territory; Traverse County Seat Location Dispute; Early Newspapers; Churches and Schools; Early Banks, hotels and other businesses and industries; Devastating fire in 1879; Organizations, such as the Masons and the Musical and Dramatic Society; and other bits of history and trivia. There are mini biographies of prominent residents in the various towns, as well as many other names throughout the booklet. The WPA excerpts, published in 1938 concern the Browns Valley Man, a famous Minnesota skeleton found in the 1930s, Sam Brown State Park and an update on Ortonville.. Limited Edition Reprint. Spiral/Comb . New/No Jacket. 8.5" x 11". Private Press.