4.1. DRAFT HPC MINUTES 7-15-2021

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Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall May 20, 2021 Commissioner Lindberg noted there was footage available from the late 50s owned by The Bank of Elk River. He noted the quality probably would not be the best. He noted footage could also be in someone’s basement. Councilmember Christianson suggested asking The Bank of Elk River as the city has a good partnership with them. He wished there were an easy way to locate and obtain historical footage from people who live here. Commissioner Lindberg wondered if John Houlton would have anything. He asked if there would be any reference to the Hungarian settlement. Commissioner Griffiths stated he will try to include that reference. Commissioner Mortensen asked if he would include information about the fur trade members, discussing a book about fur traders moving back east and leaving behind their families, many of whom took Native American wives, and how they survived without their husbands. Commissioner Lindberg discussed the French Canadians and their intertwining lives with Native Americans. He also suggested looking at a book called The History of the Upper Mississippi River. Mr. Carlton stated at the July HPC meeting, they could review the final script for the documentary and discuss the B-roll footage to be taken in July and August. 5.3 Additional Projects and Updates Commissioner Mauren spoke with Jim Boyle about asking questions and receiving comment from a representative of the HPC and asked who that person would be to speak on behalf of the commission. Mr. Carlton indicated the chair would be the HPC spokesperson or if there were questions, they could direct them to him to answer questions. He will find out if that needs to be codified by updating their bylaws. Commissioner Mauren was going to write his next article on the history of aviation in Elk River. He has enough information to write something about the Elk River Aircraft Company, a group of Elk River residents who formed to provide commercial travel around 1928. He explained that time in aviation history was very active with Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart in the news. He stated they set up the air landing strip where Sunrise Circle is currently located. The commission discussed additional air history sites and information, noting how many private planes and air landing strips were available in Elk River.