Amber Waves of Grain

Willmar Convention Center, Willmar MN

The first settlers arrived during the 1850's attracted to the fertile land and an abundance of timber and game. The Great Sioux Uprising of 1862 left the township abandoned for several years. The advent of the railroad in Kandiyohi County in 1869 brought new settlers. Many were of Swedish and Norwegian origins; hence the predominance today of residents of Scandinavian heritage.

Monson Lake State Park was established in 1923 as a memorial to the members of the Broberg and Lundbergh families who died in the U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862. Anna Stina Broberg Peterson, the only survivor, was 16 years old when the settlement was attacked on August 20, 1862. Before her death in 1933, she dictated an eye-witness account of that day's event. Her story is available at the park office.

This year's tour took us to historical sites around Willmar. Friday afternoon's opening session featured a talk by an American doctor who had practiced in Norway, who spoke about the differences between the Norwegian and U.S. medical systems. The Friday evening program featured Northfield dancers Mikkel Thompson and Ruth Sylte demonstrating folk dances from around Norway. Eric Bergeson caused a few chuckles as he talked and sang about small town life in Minnesota.

A Saturday afternoon concert by the Malm Basselurskan Harmonica Orchestra from Trøndelag was followed by the evening banquet and old-time music performed by the Norsemen. Ole and Sven (Phil Dybdal and Dave Nelson) completed the evening's entertainment with humorous songs and stories.