Small town has 100 reasons to celebrate

By TONY ZIEBOL

Journal Staff Writer

LA SALLE -- Eighteen presidents have sat in the White House, the U.S. has engaged in five major wars (not to mention the cold one), and residents have gone from driving horses and buggies to mini-vans and Cadillacs.

It's witnessed humans flying around the world in airplanes, walking on the moon, falling in love with the computer and the World Wide Web.

La Salle, which has a population of less than 100, has seen this and more in its 100-year history and a lot of has changed.

However, some things haven't been altered all that much.

The people are still friendly, full of life and have no problem celebrating when the occasion and opportunity arises.

This was the case this past weekend as La Salle commemorated its centennial with three days of fun-filled activities.

On Sunday, a parade, organized by the fire department, was the highlight of the day.

Antique cars, fire engines, tractors and music roamed the streets.

A raffle drawing for prizes was held.

An historical display at the community center showcased the remnants of the town's past. Different sections labeled school days, church, early days, and past and present residents had photographs and mementos dating back to the late 1890s.

Newspaper articles and calendars also sent on-lookers gazing into the past.

Garland Anderson of Madelia was one of those with his eyes glued to the old photographs.

"Just to look around and see everything (is why he came)," he said. "They don't do this every day. They had nice weather for these doings."

La Salle resident Jessie Keech, who helped organize the centennial celebration, said the parade and the participation at the events was pleasing.

"We've had a wonderful turnout," she said.

John Gross, who is not from La Salle but wrote a book on the town's history called La Salle: Whistle-Stop On the Prairie, was on hand to sign copies.

He had the chance to meet some of the people he wrote about.

"I really enjoyed myself and met a lot of nice people," he said. "It really shows me that the small-town values are still around. It's really made America great."

Gross said he doesn't know what's in store for the next 100 years of La Salle's existence, but he'd like the town's business economy to stay the same.

"The thing that's really been critical for La Salle is the success of the farmers' elevators," he said. "I'd like to see them remain with the headquarters in La Salle."

Levine Olson has lived in La Salle since 1934, except for three years he spent in the service, and was president of the local bank for 46 years.

"It's a pretty good little town," he said. "If it changes as much in the next 100 years as it did in the last..."

Anderson doesn't know what will be there when the next century comes to a close, either.

Only one fact is certain, he said.

"I think I'll be way under the dirt before that," Anderson said.