Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Museum: Old Maps

I worked on the Historical Museums Newsletter yesterday again..it is finally ready to mail.  I am all done with newsletters until May when I am back in my office.

I am working on several H.U.G.E. projects…it all takes time. If I would stop making suggestions and having ideas I would be less stressed and in charge of less projects.  Ground work and making the road maps for an organization to follow is not an easy job. Attracting new members, raising funds, seeing that things get repaired and keeping one hand on the pulse of an organization is not exactly a walk in the park or a stroll down the road either. The board members assured me that they would send articles for the newsletter..three did and the other four dropped the ball. I filled in the blanks so I could get the newsletter off of my desk.  I did not think I would feel burned out during the winter..but after yesterday and the day before..I sure was.  I have to give them one more day this week..and then I can get all my ducks in a row on the next project. Most everything is in place. I just need to set the wheels in motion.  I hope the map I made is a good one. I do not want to crash and burn after all the effort.  Don’t worry I will tell you all about it sooner or later.

I thought that this was a cool map to share today.  The map is all folded up inside this folder.

Highway map all folded up 

I wanted to see what 1924-1925 looked like in my neck of the woods.  So I took a photo!

1924-1925 Highway Map

I was thrilled to find that Detroit Lakes was still called Detroit ( Later in 1926 it was changed to Detroit Lakes so that it would not be confused with Detroit, Michigan.)

Highway 34 went right past the farm I grew up on and very near where we live now. The stair step highway which we live near was featured in the opening chapter of Red Earth White Earth..which was written by a local farm kid and eventually became a movie.

Highway 34 was realigned in the 1940’s..and the booming town of Ponsford was no longer on the main route to Detroit. A new road was built, and the old part of Highway 34 that included Ponsford became known as Highway 225.  Old roads were often the life blood of a community..that and railroad tracks..if you were missed by either of them your town was going to struggle before it eventually died.

I wonder did the powers that be ever wonder if their new road map was the way to go? Did they feel guilty..or was it all in the name of progress?

Yesterday I took one of my volunteers out to lunch..and one of these days I will take my other wonderful volunteer (Far Guy) out for breakfast..both of them are ready to hit the ground running in the spring and are looking forward to the Museum opening..me not so much..at least not today..perhaps tomorrow:)

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13 comments:

Gail said...

Thank you for doing this. If not for dedicated people like you, much history would be lost. Your deterimination and dedication are way above the norm. It may be rough but you are drawing a map to the past and many people will be able to travel there now.

DJan said...

Yes, you are an inspiration for many. Especially me! I don't know where the world would be if it didn't have people like you in it. You keep track of things so well. I do hope somebody takes YOU out to lunch... :-)

LindaG said...

They just put a concrete divider through the center of our small town. Supposedly for 'safety'.
We all know it's so the rich people in Raleigh and Charlotte can get to the beach faster.

They did put a few turns in, but businesses have already noticed a drop in income now that it's harder for people to get in. Who wants to drive 2 blocks and turn around and go back?

And they are building a bypass to get traffic to the beach quicker. They could have just waited a couple years.

I think you had a lot of frustrations and hopefully (right, I know) you won't have them again and you'll feel better about the museum. You are doing an amazing job. Have a wonderful day. ♥

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Girl, you've gone above and beyond the call of duty. Your a jewel for perservin' the history for generations to come.

It must feel good know that you're playin' a part in the preservation.

God bless and have a great day!!! :o)

Marti said...

I hope that your work appreciates you. Getting everyone to participate seems like the hardest part of a job. Have a good day.

Karen said...

You are such a work horse, the museum is lucky to have you!
I love looking at maps, and it was fun to look at your old one and recognize places that you have talked about.

Rita said...

I wondered the same thing...when is somebody taking you out to lunch?
It may be exhausting but you are just what they needed!
Giving you a big pat on the back. :)

Red said...

Interesting how maps are for the same thing today...direct the people to your town. These old road maps surprisingly tell us a lot about the development of an area. Nice find!

rkbsnana said...

I'm with the "other" Rita...when are they taking you to lunch. Thanks for sharing maps.

Sam I Am...... said...

I'd have you over for lunch except it would be a long drive for you! But it would get you out of the cold for a bit. I'd love to write for your newsletter but I'm pretty sure you have to be from there and I'm not. I went to college with a gal from Blue Earth...I noticed all the "earth" names and wondered if that was anywhere near you? You have a gift for writing and I always look forward to your memories and your stories.
I used to drive to Canada and stay in Cloquet over by Duluth and I recently found an interesting book about the fire they had there back in the 1800's that burned Cloquet to the ground and several other towns. I guess they didn't have the firefighting equipment back then plus there was probably lots more woods too. Even in Northern, IL where I'm originally from I remember the watch towers they used to have to look for fires. Do they still have those or use them?
Anyway...I digress but I just think the past is so interesting. I wonder if after we're long gone if the next generations will think that about us?

Far Side of Fifty said...

Blue Earth is is the southern part of the State near the Iowa border. There are still some fire towers..however they are not used anymore. Most fire spotting is done by small airplanes, one of our friends from church is a pilot that does that.
Thanks for reading:)

Pamela said...

It was probably politics as usual -- whoever had the inside corner with the powers that be was the one who got the road or railroad through their town.

Lanny said...

Sorry that the shenanigans of the board continues to weary you, they need to appreciate you more and leave you alone, except for when they buy you lunch and a new computer - that would be the appreciation thing goin' on.

Dig the map. Stair step highway is somethin' else. Must have been a test for car sick avid readers.