Marie Ehrenberg was living in hospice care in St. Charles and her last wish was to visit Whitewater State Park. She shares about growing up on a farm in the area and her memories of spending time at the park with her father. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Mike's family has lived in the Whitewater Valley since 1890. Mike shared memories growing up in the valley and the family business at Mauer Brothers Tavern in Elba, Minnesota.
Schroeder Area Historical Society, Schroeder, Minnesota
Date Created:
2007-04-17
Description:
The oral history of Burton Kreitlow and Doris Kreitlow recalls Burton's childhood in Howard, Lake Minnesota. Burton describes a pivotal moment in developing maturity as a child. Burton recalls a Swedish Lutheran church cemetery near Howard Lake, Minnesota. He recalls earning money during the Depression for his dream of a college education. Burton describes his 4-H leadership and discusses his Army experience in World War II as a mechanic crew chief of B-24 airplanes and his Army duty in Africa and Italy. Doris recalls family vacations and cabin life on the North Shore of Lake Superior, Minnesota. She describes her working life including her work as a home economist at General Mills in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This interview was conducted by Leona Scherer and videographer Judy Gregg of Schroeder Area Historical Society, Schroeder, Minnesota.
In an oral history, Alec Ruttger discusses how his parents started a resort in Crow Wing County, how he took it over and expanded it, and that his three brothers also got involved in the resort business. As a family, they built up the very well known Ruttger empire of resort locations.
Andrea Richards and Ruth Ann Collins and their families share about their group of divorced women who have created memorable camping traditions each year at Whitewater State Park. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Angie Berg shares about living near Whitewater State Park and spending time at the park with her two children. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Anna was born and raised in Winona and shared memories her Aunt, Mildred Sebo, who was instrumental in planning the first Territorial Centennial Pageant held at Whitewater State park in 1933 and who helped found the Winona Historical Society.
Arash Shambayati is an Iranian refugee who discovered trout fishing at Whitewater State Park in the 1970s. He shares how the park has changed. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
Arleigh Schafer (1905-1993) discusses the history of Lakewood Cemetery in Lake City, Minnesota. He also discusses his early life and career in banking and insurance, the Lake City Citizens Bank, the Great Depression, other cemeteries in Lake City, and being secretary of the Lakewood Cemetery Association starting in 1950.
Barbara is a historian and author of the book, "Hard Work and a Good Deal: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Minnesota." She shared memories her experience interviewing some of the African American men who were involved in the CCC in Minnesota.
Ben Gessner is a Collections Associate for the Minnesota Historical Society. His work focuses on American Indian and Fine Arts Collections. He shares about his work and the process of repatriating artifacts. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
In an oral history, Bill Van Essen talks about his family's restaurant, Van's Cafe, which was a Brainerd landmark. He also discusses other lone-gone Brainerd restaurants, and how eating out and the business community has evolved.
Bob is a Soil Conservationist and shared memories growing up in the Whitewater Area and memories of his father, John, who was also a soil conservationist and who died along with his wife in the historic flood of 2007.
Bob shares his memories of being an area biology technician for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and helping with the wild turkey reintroduction. He also talks about his time as Assistant Manager of the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area.
Bucky Flores shares information about his American Indian heritage and the importance of connecting chidren to the outdoors. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
In an oral history, Carl Byers describes his early work as a lumberjack, working for the WPA during the depression, his dealings with Indians, and returning to the logging industry.
This interview contains some outdated information as the research discussed has since been updated. Dr. Jefferson is a retired Winona State University ecology professor and amateur historian. She shared memories how she became interested in researching early abolitionists in the Winona area and what she's discovered about the possible connections to the Underground Railroad in southeast Minnesota.
Schroeder Area Historical Society, Schroeder, Minnesota
Date Created:
1999-10-20
Description:
The oral history of Charles "Chuck" Magney describes Naniboujou history, his father Judge Clarence Reinhold Magney (father of Minnesota State Parks), Erie Mining Company, Finland, Minnesota, Radar Station, Cathedral of Pines Camp, Caribou Lake, Cook County, Minnesota, canoeing and fishing in the 1940s and 1950s.
Charles Loggins was the first African American District Conservationist in Minnesota. In this interview he shares about his work with the Soil Conservation Service and working with farmers in Winona County. The Whitewater State Park Oral History project began in 2017 to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the State Park.
In an oral history, Charles Warnberg, a former sheriff of Crow Wing County, talks about the the old jail/sheriff's residence, the state of law enforcement when he was in office, and some the crimes that were committed.
