Prehistoric and Euroamerican Archaeology of Elk River, Minnesota: Current Knowlege and Probability Modeling

Home Browse Search

Modernization (1910s—1930s) The telephone, establishment of a fire department, electrification, a new water system, a new hospital and clinic, and improved transportation all signaled and facilitated modernization in Elk River. The telephone came to Elk River in 1902 when the local telephone exchange was opened. In July 1910, the Elk River and Big Lake telephone lines were connected.zs The following quotes appeared in the Sherburne County Star News following Elk River fires in January 1903 and April 1915: It is believed that when our town is once more rebuilt the time will be ripe for the procuring Of some adequate fire apparatus. The person or town who refuses to learn by repeated sad experiences proves his own folly. - SCSN, 8 January 1903, p.1 Hozv many more lessons of this kind do the business men of Elk River need before some kind of adequate fire fighting equipment is procured? - SCSN, 22 April, 1915, p.1 The 1915 fire was apparently the last lesson because in 1916 the City Council of Elk River replaced the old fire engine.26 Although the city had purchased a fire engine by 1911, it was ineffective and Elk River still had to rely on assistance from Minneapolis, which was rarely useful because of the obvious distance and time it took the Minneapolis engines or trains to reach Elk River.27 In 1920 the Elk River Fire Department purchased a pump that could be used with either a gasoline engine or an electric motor and a new water system that same year gave the Department enough access to water and enough pressure to more effectively fight fires. Fire insurance prices were also apparently lowered in 1920 because of the improved fire equipment.28 Following the destruction of the flour mill by a flood in 1912, there was hope that another flour mill would be built at the same spot.29 The dismantling of that mill in 1913 and a front-page editorial published in the Sherburne County Star News in 1914, however, sparked new plans for this location. The editorial advocated using the water power that had powered the milling industry for sixty years to provide electricity throughout the city.30 After many delays in securing funding and in earning the support of the village council, F.D. Waterman, who was part owner of the water power along with Fred Hildreth, incorporated the Elk River Power and Light Company in 1915 with himself as president, his wife as vice 16