|
|
|
July 13, 1999
Searles prepares to celebrate centennial with full slate of activitiesCelebration scheduledfor July 30 - August 1By GUY PRIEL Journal Staff Writer SEARLES -- The streets of Searles will come alive on Friday, July 30, as this small community in Cottonwood Township celebrates its centennial. Records on file at the Brown County Historical Society indicate that the village was formed when the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad came through Minnesota, and established communities as whistle stops along the way. As was the custom for communities established by the railroad, the town was named by officials of the railroad, possibly after a Twin Cities judge named Searles, who was a well-known Civil War hero. A newspaper article from October 1899 states that the community was named after a man named Searles who was vice president of the railroad. However, records at the State Historical Society can provide no clear documentation that there ever was a person named Searles that highly placed in the company. Historical records also indicate that residents petitioned to have the town renamed in honor of the farmer who owned land adjoining the townsite, Sperl. Railroad officials maintained their stand and the name of the village remained Searles. Information on the origin of the town's name will not be included on a centennial plaque because of a lack of accurate information and the inability of officials to locate any descendants of Searles, Brown County Historical Society officials said. Planning for the celebration has taken almost two years. Approximately 10 committees have been diligently working since January 1998 to get the entertainment organized and to get souvenirs out to the public, organizer Richard Leikam said. Centennial organizers developed a history book that has been available for sale at the Brown County Historical Society and the Chamber of Commerce since early March, as well as other locations throughout the region. Copies will also be available during the centennial weekend. The festivities will start at 6 p.m. Friday, July 30. City officials and representatives from the Brown County Historical Society will unveil the official historical marker at town hall. The marker was a joint venture of the Historical Society and the centennial committee. Following the unveiling, there will be a performance by Sven and Ole, a comedy team from Hanska and "Just Us," a singing group comprised of teenagers and young adults from the Searles area. There will also be a performance by The Yellowbellies. Friday evening will also feature a vintage clothing display and a Girls' Old Timers softball game. Events on Saturday, July 31 include a performance by Erwin Suess, the Jeff Franta Band, the German-Bohemian Heritage Singers, David Suess and the Johnny Helget Trio. A street dance features entertainment by Rapid Rick's Road Show. There will be a reunion of St. John's School students and teachers, including a 2:30 p.m. social hour and a 4:30 mass. There will also be a display of school pictures from throughout the years, including some from the last school year, which was the final year of operation of the school. Throughout the day, there will also be a vintage clothing display, a men's softball tournament and a men's old timers softball game. There will be a special demonstration by the New Ulm square dance club "Twist & Twirl" at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Events for Sunday, August 1, include a polka mass with Erwin and Loran Suess and People of Praise at 9 a.m. at the church, followed by a performance of David Suess and the Johnny Helget Trio, a parade, Schell's Hobo Band, Sven and Ole and "Just Us." One of the highlights of the parade on Sunday will be an appearance and autograph-signing by Krunch, the mascot of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Throughout the weekend there will be food booths with authentic German pastry and meats, an antique display at the town hall and a display by the Prairieland Fly Wheelers. Bus transportation will be available from New Ulm, to help relieve traffic congestion in the Searles area on all three days, Leikam said.
|