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Dassel and Nuclear War
On September 26, 1983, the United States was involved in what was called a cold war; a period of difficult relations between the United States, our allies (The Western Bloc) and the Soviet Union and its allies, (the Eastern Bloc). Historically this time span was from March 12, 1947, beginning with the announcement of the […]
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“If you are from Kingston, Kingston is always in your heart”
A while back I was strolling through pictures on one of the History Center programs and I came upon some photos of quaint rock sculptures and grottos. The pictures were labeled the Kingston Rock Gardens. Asking around, at first no one knew about this garden. Then, other people began speaking with other people, and information […]
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The Big Top in a Small Town.
Imagine the excitement when a circus comes to town. In the days before flyers are posted on poles and buildings, and appear on kitchen tables, having been brought home with eager hope for a trip to the Big Top! Children hum with anticipation, pulling out any possible coins they may have saved over the year. […]
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Ah! The Fair Days of Summer.
As a child I remember street fairs in the small town where I was raised. These street fairs were magic. Ferris wheels reached to the sky, cotton candy, games of chance, little ducklings in ponds, watermelon eating, pies, produce, tables of sparkling jars of canned goods and preserves, and barns full of farm animals. The […]
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Oh, That Mushroom!
The first time I drove through the town of Dassel I immediately noticed the tiny little gas station on the north corner of First Street and Highway 12. The building was built back in 1931 by Lewis (aka Louis) Belin. Lewis began operating the station with a lease from White Eagle Oil Corportation. Lewis was […]
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Lake Washington was hopping
Recently someone asked me if I knew anything about Lake Washington in Meeker County. I had to say, “nope, I know nothing’. From The Lake Washington Improvement Association I learned some geographical facts. “Lake Washington is located between the cities of Dassel and Darwin in Meeker County, Minnesota. The lake covers 2,639 acres with 10.6 […]
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Take me out to the ball game
News that three games of the town ball state championship will be held at our Dassel Ball Park in 2022 brought visions of sunshine dancing in my head. Our team, then called the Dassel Nine, started out in 1880. Baseball of the time was typically held between local teams. It was just too darn hard […]
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That Canoe.
Way before European settlers came to the Dassel area, way before Dassel, back in 1030 or so BCE this area was inhabited by the Woodlands People. The Woodlands People were a creative and civilized group who created small, sometimes temporary, settlements along the waterways and lakes of the area. Among their talents was […]
Views From an outsider
learning about Dassel and it's glorious history
Views From an outsider 