Clik here to view.
Founding Fathers of Mankato
Blue Earth County Historical Society Founding Fathers of Mankato By A BECHS Volunteer Of the original founders of Mankato, two names stand out in prominence: Parson King Johnson (called “P.K.” by all...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Heritage of Vernon Center
Blue Earth County Historical Society The Heritage of Vernon Center By a BECHS Volunteer The first white person to settle in the Vernon Center area was Israel Wing who located in the spring of 1855....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Jackson Lake
Blue Earth County Historical Society Jackson Lake By Mike Lagerquist Like much of Minnesota and its 10,000 lakes, Blue Earth County has been blessed with many bodies of water that serve as ample...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ott Cabin at Sibley Park
Blue Earth County Historical Society Ott Cabin at Sibley Park By a BECHS Volunteer What do people think of when they think of the Ott Cabin at Sibley Park? In Blue Earth County, when someone thinks of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Blue Earth County’s Hemp History
Blue Earth County Historical Society Blue Earth County’s Hemp History Blue Earth County’s Hemp History Blue Earth County used to have a plant that can make paper, rot-resistant rope, lotions, food, and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Year of Odd Weather
Blue Earth County Historical Society A Year of Odd Weather A Year of Odd Weather refers to 1936 and its odd weather patterns 1936 is still reported as one of the worst years for weather with both the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Vietnam Conflict Protests
Blue Earth County Historical Society The Vietnam Conflict Protests The Vietnam Conflict Protests took place in the spring of 1972, where conservative and mostly rural Mankato was shattered by a wave of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sibley Park Zoo and the 1965 Flood
Blue Earth County Historical Society Sibley Park Zoo and the 1965 Flood The Sibley Park Zoo underwent major changes due to the 1965 Flood. The Minnesota River crested just over 29 feet on April 10,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
History of the Mankato Piece
Blue Earth County Historical Society History of the Mankato Piece The Mankato Piece by Dale Eldred was commissioned by Mankato Fine Arts Inc and has an interesting history. in 1968 and paid for by...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why We Call it Blue Earth.
Blue Earth County Historical Society Why We Call it Blue Earth. Many people ask – Why do we call it Blue Earth for the county and river. The Blue Earth River and County, and the city of Mankato are all...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Brett’s Department Store
Blue Earth County Historical Society Brett’s Department Store Brett’s Department Store was one of downtown’s largest and most popular during its long lifetime, 1868-1991. Opened as George E. Brett...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Clarence Saulpaugh and Mankato’s First Automobile
Blue Earth County Historical Society Clarence Saulpaugh and Mankato’s First Automobile Among the first automobile owners in Mankato was C.H. (Clarence) Saulpaugh, owner of the Saulpaugh Hotel...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Mayer Special
Blue Earth County Historical Society The Mayer Special The first factory-built horseless carriage in Mankato was probably a Stanley Steamer that arrived by rail in 1897. When the steam was up, the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ben Pay
Blue Earth County Historical Society Ben Pay Many residents of Blue Earth County may well have heard of the Ben Pay Hotel. Some of us have been in the area long enough to have seen it. But how many of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Brief History of the Rails in Blue Earth County
Blue Earth County Historical Society A Brief History of the Rails in Blue Earth County The history of railroads in Blue Earth County has a long past. The town was founded in 1852 and the first railroad...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Women in World War II
Blue Earth County Historical Society Women in World War II When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States was plunged into World War II. For the next three years, America...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Rue Washer
Blue Earth County Historical Society The Rue Washer “Do you love your wife? If you do, you will buy her a Rue Washer.” So read a 1905 advertisement for a Rue Washing Machine, produced in Amboy in the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Funeral Practices in Mankato
Blue Earth County Historical Society Funeral Practices in Mankato Funeral practices in Mankato have changed quite a bit over time. When Mankato was a young community, most people’s lives ended at home,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Highland Park
Blue Earth County Historical Society Highland Park Highland Park has a long history in Mankato. In October 1874, the Mankato City Council bought 10.3 acres of land, four acres in a ravine, for...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mocol Family Grocery Store
Blue Earth County Historical Society Mocol Family Grocery Store The Mocol Family Grocery Store is one of the very few, perhaps the only, neighborhood grocery stores in Mankatolocated on North Broad...
View Article