Sketch of east side of downtown Northfield, Minnesota, by local historian Robert R. (Bob) Warn, based on photographs, lithographs and written descriptions. The city is depicted as it probably looked in the mid-1800s as seen from near the top of the Ames Mill. Buildings are marked with numbers: 1, the home of John and Ann North, built in 1855. 2, the Lyceum building. 3, the saw mill built in 1855-6 by Jacobs and Ives for John North. 4, Grist Mill built in 1855-6 for John North. 5, American House hotel built by John North in 1857. 6, Liberty Pole. 7, Public school at the southwest corner of Union and Third streets. 8, Old Brown Church. 9, Charles Taylor's law office. 10, Rice County Journal building. 11, first Scriver Building site. 12, Herman Jenkins' Tavern, built in 1856. 13, the second bridge to be built in the location of the current Fourth Street bridge, about 1865.
Exterior view of the American House. This was built as a hotel, but never housed any guests. It became one of the first buildings on the Carleton College campus.
This 1865 diary records the daily farming activities of Newton Persons as well as the farm's production. On a daily basis, Newton recorded the weather conditions. Newton mentions neighbors and family. He was called to St. Paul to register for the draft but was not needed. He recorded the murders of President Abraham Lincoln and a neighbor.
This 1878 pocket diary records the daily farming activities of Newton Persons as well as the farm's production and employment. It includes weather information as well as details on neighbors and family members. He also visited friends and relatives in Indiana and met his future wife, Phebe Grills. The diary records their wedding on September 19, 1878. Daily entries consist of a few short lines, and the book contains a cash account, calendars, and other information.