THE PLANTATION BALLROOM

Growing up in the 1950s with older sisters and brothers, I heard a lot about the Plantation Ballroom but don’t remember ever being there.  A few years ago my mother-in-law shared some photos of the ballroom with me.  I came across them again recently and my curiosity got the better of me—I needed to find out more.  While technically located in Palo Alto County (albeit right on the west side of the road that runs along the dividing line), I wanted to include the story of the ballroom on my blog because it was enjoyed by so many Kossuth County residents.

How It Began

H. R. “Hitchy” Pettit and his wife, the former Elvira Wehrspann, loved to dance.  They attended dances at many different ballrooms while dating and in the early days of their marriage.  They had been married on June 29, 1934, in St. Luke’s Church at Fairville and settled on the Wehrspann family farm where they began to raise their family. 

Three miles down the road from their home was a quiet, wooded area which the Pettits drove by frequently.  They often commented that it would be a good location for a ballroom.  In the mid-1940s, the property, which belonged to the estate of Jim Higgins, came on the market.  Despite having five young children and no experience managing a ballroom or restaurant, the young couple took a leap of faith and purchased the ten acre tract which included this site and made plans to build.

The cost to build the 234 x 50 foot structure housing the ballroom was estimated at $30,000, but by the time it was completed and fully equipped, the cost had more than tripled to $100,000.  No architect for this project – the Pettits traveled to every ballroom for miles around and listed the best features of each.  Elvira then took a simple tablet and drew the plans that later became the Plantation Ballroom.

The building contained the ballroom, dining room, kitchen, a caretaker’s apartment, and a basement used for storage.  Glass brick lined the entrance doors.  The dance floor itself was made of white maple and was 60 x 140 feet.  It was lined on the north and south with booths on raised platforms. Modern fluorescent three-color alternating indirect lighting was installed above the booths in the ballroom.  Just beyond the entrance were additional booths on two different levels.  The grounds included a large parking area and the Pettits added a trap shooting range and a park for picnickers.

The name of the facility came about as a joke by the family.  Whenever anyone came to see Hitchy during the construction, he was usually down at the site.  The caller would be told that he was down “on the plantation” and the name stuck.

Due to the isolated location, many persons scoffed at the couple and nicknamed the site “Pettit’s Folly.”  The last laugh was on them, however, as the facility became a phenomenal success.

Grand Opening

West Bend Journal, September 16, 1948

The grand opening took place on September 19, 1948 with more than 1,300 people in attendance.  Elvira, who had only cooked for her family in the past, became adept at feeding hundreds at a time.  Their reputation for serving great food spread, leading to many large groups scheduling events.  It became a family affair with all five children working there at one time or another as well as Elvira’s mother, Clara Fisher, who operated the dishwasher for many years.  William Kollasch, a young man who grew up on a neighboring farm, began working for them at the age of 20 and helped with management and operation.  Over the years, many community members found work there including high school students who served as waitresses.

No liquor was sold at The Plantation but that did not mean it was not present.  Patrons were allowed to bring their own supply and the booths had cubbyholes built into the underside of the tables in which to store your bottle.  They sold 7-Up in what they called “set ups” for 10 cents.  The staff monitored ages though and didn’t condone or allow underage drinking.

My husband's grandmother, Susie Kramer, second from
right, and her sisters at the Plantation

The musical talent which played at the Plantation was well known.  Frequent performers were Elmer Scheid, Spike Haskell, and the Jolly Lumberjacks.  Dick Dale sang there many times with the Six Fat Dutchman.  Lawrence Welk played his last date there before leaving for California where he filmed his very popular television program.

From Big Band to polka to swing to 50’s rock and roll – The Plantation Ballroom hosted it all.  The dances drew large crowds.  Various techniques were used to get the crowd on the floor and included change-your-partner numbers, dance contests and the tried-and-true “Hokey Pokey.” 

In addition to weekly dances, numerous other events were held at the Plantation.  Senators Hubert Humphrey and William Proxmire were among politicians who spoke at political rallies there; style shows, proms, school and club banquets and large organization meetings also were held at the facility.  Of course, it was a popular spot for wedding receptions and dinners as well. 

Fire!!!

Following a Christmas party for 150 for Weidenhoff Corporation of Algona held on December 16, 1961, the Pettits had cleaned up and left for home at 1:15 a.m.  Three hours later, a trucker passing by on Highway 18 discovered the fire and drove to the light plant in Whittemore, reporting the blaze to the night watchman there.  The Whittemore fire department rushed to the scene, but the entire structure was engulfed in flames and nothing could be done.  It appeared that the fire had burned inside for some time before exploding through the ceiling.  Highway traffic was lower that night due to a heavy snowfall which reduced the chances of an earlier discovery.

Everything was destroyed including an electric organ and grand piano which had just been purchased.  The Pettits were devastated.  Although they were insured by Lloyds of London, Hitchy did not believe it would completely cover the loss. Ultimately, they decided not to rebuild and so the Plantation Ballroom became a memory.  The property is now designated as a wildlife refuge by the Palo Alto County DNR.

The Plantation site in 2015

Only Memories Remain

As the years passed by, the Pettits continued their farming operation and their bulldozing and trucking service.  They were very active in their church.  In 1987 Elvira passed away after an illness with cancer and Hitchy followed her two years later.

The Plantation Ballroom still holds a special place in many people’s hearts.  It was there that many young couples met and danced for the first time, including my husband’s parents, Marvin and Irene (Eischeid) Kramer.  If the Plantation had never existed, would they have ever met?  It makes me consider how different my life might have been.

This post is dedicated to my father-in-law, Marvin Kramer, who passed away December 21, 2015.  May he rest in peace.

Until next time,

Kossuth County History Buff

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CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Each year as Christmas approaches, I find my mind fills with childhood memories more so than at any other time of the year.  I remember the downtown Algona of my youth with many beautiful holiday displays in the windows.  At that time, we had a JC Penney store, S & L Department store, Harrison’s Variety store, and many others.  I loved walking with my mom as she did errands.  She probably did not enjoy it half as much as I did as she would often have to hurry me along as I drug my feet, stopping to press my nose up to each window to get a better look. 

Of course there was the visit to “Santa’s House” each year.  We would wait with excitement to see Santa come to town on the firetruck.  He would alight at the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn and enter a festively decorated wooden shelter erected especially for his visits each year.  The line to see him would stretch down the whole block.  I don’t know if it was the cold or the anticipation that made us antsy, but it seemed to take FOREVER to finally reach the jolly old man.  I don’t remember any of the requests I made to him over the years but I will never forget the brown paper sack filled with hard Christmas candy and peanuts in the shell that we received each year.

There was one store that we had to stop in every year whether we had anything to buy there or not.  The Chrischilles Store was one of the anchors of the downtown at any season, but the store was always beautifully decorated for the Christmas holidays.  The display windows had an eye catching theme each year and a very large Christmas tree adorned with tinsel and ornaments was usually located on the upper floor.  I can remember standing in awe gazing at the tree towering over me and thinking I had never seen anything more beautiful.

I am pleased that the children of Ted Chrischilles have generously allowed me to share with you some photos of the store during the holidays in the 1940s and 1950s.  These are almost all before my time (my childhood memories mostly are of the 1960s) but the photos nevertheless remind me of a more innocent time when a Christmas visit to a local store could bring such joy into my young life.  I hope you will enjoy the photos as much as I do and that they bring back a few memories for you as well.

Chrischilles Store Main Floor 1948

Christmas Tree 1948

Main floor 1952

Christmas Tree 1955

Christmas 1958

The last photo above shows the staff gathered in front of the tree.  Left to right in the back row are Twila Bartholomew, Mildred Hernan, Florence Peterson, Rose Scanlon, Isabelle Koepke, Dorothy Reiken, Marie Dutton, and Leola Zeigler.  Middle row is T.H., Jack and Ted Chrischilles.  Sitting in front are Marie Hogan, Mildred Miller, Ruth Garman, Alene Hemphill (a/k/a Hempie) and Minnie Blinkman.  

A big thank you to Ted's children, Kathy, Julie and Gene, for allowing me to share these photos with you.  I hope they bring back wonderful Christmas memories for each of my readers.

Until next time,

Merry Christmas!

Jean (a/k/a Kossuth County History Buff)

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NANCY MEANS THOMPSON - IN HER OWN WORDS

Nancy Means Thompson and her husband, Joseph, were early settlers of the area.  The Thompsons homesteaded a tract east of Algona.  The “Christmas House” owned today by Henry and Janet Ricke sits where the Thompson house once stood. 

In December of 1914 Mrs. Thompson presented a paper at the annual meeting of the Kossuth County Historical Society which was later printed in the Kossuth County Advance on December 14, 1914.  In the presentation she describes their journey to Kossuth County and many early events, including their tribulations during Christmas and the winter of 1856-57.  With Christmas 2015 a little more than a week away, it seems a good time to read her story and be reminded of both the ordeals and the pleasures experienced by our pioneers.  So here, in her own words, is Nancy Means Thompson.

Recollections of a Pioneer Bride

Other papers having been read before the historical society about early days in

Nancy Means Thompson

this county, I feel that I can say but little that is new or interesting.  More than fifty-eight years have passed by since I first saw the Algona town site and made the acquaintance of the few people who resided in the new village.

While living in Jackson County, Iowa, in the spring of 1856 we heard of the cheap lands and fertile soil in the region of Call’s Grove in this county and left for this place in April.  We started from Fulton, where we had been married a few months previous.  As D. W. Sample was moving to the county with us, we had two wagons and four yoke of oxen in our little train.  Passing through Cascade, Delhi and Independence to Waterloo, we there crossed the river to Cedar Falls in a ferry.  At Belmond we began following some trappers who were going to Armstrong.  We kept with them until we came to Dutch Henry’s cabin in Plum Creek.  From that place we turned towards the south and soon were at Call’s Grove.  The log cabins of Judge Call and Joe Moore were the only ones on the Algona town site.

Boarding the Bachelors

At the Moore cabin I was granted permission by the bachelors to bake some bread, and then we went on to Irvington where Mr. Sample’s friend, James G. Greene, had located the year before.  On our way down we called at the Malachi Clark cabin.  As Mr. Thompson and I were a young-looking couple, Mrs. Clark mistook the bachelor Sample for the head of the family and remarked that he was wise in bringing his children along.  This is not strange for I was not yet nineteen years old.  After a few week’s stay at the Green cabin, which had no floor—the other places we had visited had the puncheon floor made of split logs—the only fire for cooking and heating was in the corner of the room on the ground.  The smoke ascended and escaped through a hole in the roof.  We came back to Algona and soon made arrangements to move into the Moore cabin with the understanding that I should do the cooking for the boarders—Father Taylor, Lewis H. Smith, J.E. Stacy, Geo. A. Lowe, Gad Gilbert and a Mr. Skinner, all bachelors except the former, were members of my interesting family.  They were a fine lot of young men and showed their appreciation in many ways.

Cabin, P.O. and Church

In that cabin the post office was established with Mr. Moore as postmaster.  It was also used as a church and Rev. Taylor, the Congregational minister, held services in the fore-noon and Rev. McComb, the Presbyterian missionary, in the afternoon.

On the outskirts of town lived the Rists, Paine and Blackford families.  In June, Mr. Henderson, the Moores, Schencks and Riebhoffs with their fine horses came.  That summer Mr. Henderson built his log hotel on the present City Hall site.  The first frame buildings were erected by Lewis H. Smith and H.F. Watson, Lewis Smith’s was on the present site of the garage west of the Court House and the H. F. Watson’s on the Ingham residence corner.

The settlers at first bought provisions along with them to last for a few months and then went long distances for more, but in July or August Major Williams sent up provisions from Fort Dodge and placed them on sale.

Tin Pan for a Drum

A little band of settlers celebrated the 4^th of July 1856 near the present site of Mrs. Frank Nicoulin’s home.  The procession was headed by Lewis H. Smith beating a large tin pan for a drum.

In October we moved to our little cabin on our pre-emption a mile and a half east of town.  The place is now known as the old Lund farm.  This was the first prairie home in the region of Algona.

Typical Pioneer Hospitality

The noted cold winter of 1856-7 began early by deep falling snow and bitter cold weather.  Our friends in the village became alarmed for our safety as the road leading to our place became one of continuous snow drifts.  On the 23^rd of December a messenger on foot arrived at our house with a petition signed by the bachelors and other friends in the village asking us to accept Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Watson’s hospitality for the winter.  Among the many tokens of friendship I have received, this act of our friends exceeds all others in that regard.  The next

Ricke Home on McGregor Street in 2015
Site of original Thompson homestead

day we started about noon with an ox team, thinking of course we could make a mile in half a day.  But as it was very cold and drifting, shoveling was of little avail.  So we decided to go back and start early the next morning.  The next morning, Christmas, we started early and arrived at the Watson home at sun-down, after shoveling snow and breaking the roads through the drifts.  If ever a Christmas supper tasted good it was the one we ate that evening.  The winter was so severe that March found us still at Watsons.

When the news of the Spirit Lake massacre reached this community I remember how the excited settlers centered for three nights at the log hotel and how diligently the men labored in building the fort around the new town hall.

Perils of the Road

In October, my mother, who had a claim here, left with an ox team for Jackson county, and my brother and I went along for a visit at our old home.  We started back in April 1858; my brother, who was 17 and also my husband’s brother, age 19.  The journey was long and tedious, for the rain fell almost without ceasing.  At that time there were no bridges and practically no roads.  At dark we reached Prairie Creek, some five or six miles southeast of Irvington and found the creek rising.  We attempted to cross, but the wheels sank to the hubs and could not be pulled out.  In a covered wagon surrounded by a world of water we had to remain all night, while I held in my arms my baby girl who was only nine months old.  In the morning my brother-in-law left on foot for Algona to get help.  We waited all day and until 11 o’clock that night before assistance came.  Mr. Thompson and his brother James brought two yoke of oxen to help pull out the load.  The night was so dark and misty that I feared they could not find us, so I lit a tallow candle and held it up so they might catch a glimpse of the light; fortunately, they saw it.  All three teams were hitched to the wagon, but on account of the ground being so very soft, they were unable to get a foot-hold.  So after every effort we were compelled to leave the wagon and walk to the nearest house; Mr. Green’s near Irvington, where we had dinner.  We borrowed a wagon and drove home.  It was nearly a month, however, before they were able to pull the wagon out of Prairie creek.

A Pioneer Romance

In writing this, I live over again that night and day until help came.  I, a helpless woman, with my baby and those two boys, swamped in that desolate and lonely country, 15 or 20 miles from home.  We did not know where we were.  In fact we were lost.  So delayed by bad roads, we were out of provisions—just a slice of bread left.

I want to say right here though there was some romance as well as tragedy in those days.  While on my visit, my husband and Jerome Stacy had kept bachelors hall at our cabin on the farm, and our friends in the village determined to give them a surprise, and a good supper, thinking, perhaps, they might be tired of their own cooking.  So one night a large sled load of people drove out with a good warm supper.  I understand that was the first time that Mr. Stacy met the future Mrs. Stacy (Miss Harriet Taylor, the minister’s daughter).

In December, 1861, we decided to move back to our old home in Jackson County, as times were hard and there was no work.  My uncle built a large mill and had assured Mr. Thompson work.  So we hired a man with a team of horses to take us to the nearest railroad station:  Cedar Falls.  We sold a dressed hog we had brought along.  At first we received a bid of a cent a pound.  But later we thought we were fortunate when we sold it for one-half cent more.

$40 Per Acre in 1870

In 1864 Mr. Thompson went out to the gold mines of Idaho and Montana where

Ricke home on McGregor Street in 2015
Where original Thompson home stood

he spent four years.  His cabin at Helena was one of the first in that place.  After his return, we moved to our farm which we sold in 1870 for $40 an acre, the highest price ever paid for Kossuth County land at that time.  This was the year the first railroad, the Milwaukee and St. Paul came to Algona.

In 1911 we moved to Algona where I expect to spend the remainder of my life—the town I have seen developed from two log cabins to a thriving city.  When I see the hundreds of young people on the streets or on their way to school, I can hardly comprehend the change that has taken place since the days of 1856 when Almira Heckart (mother of Mrs. Will Walker), Margaret Heckart, now Mrs. Thomas Henderson and Nancy Henderson, now Mrs. Ambrose Call, were the only young ladies in town. 

A feeling of sadness steals over me when I realize that of all the heads of families who came to Algona that year, I am the only surviving lady of that trusting little band.

The Thompsons raised six children:  Mamie, who married Joseph R. Hofius; Carrie, wife of C. H. Blossom; Henry; Frank; Clifford; and Jennie.  Mr. Thompson died in May of 1901.  Nancy built a new house on east Call Street in 1911 where she lived until her death on May 5, 1916 at the age of 79.

Until next time,

Jean

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UNCLE LEW, AHS SPORTS BOOSTER

Anyone that has studied Kossuth County history at all will recognize the name Lewis H. Smith.  Early settler, surveyor, Northern Border Brigade quartermaster, Judge, bank president – his titles go on and on.  However, I recently found out about another title bestowed on Mr. Smith that I had never heard before.  He was fondly referred to as “Uncle Lew” by the sports teams of Algona High School and in 1916 was awarded an honorary membership in the Algona High School Athletic Association.  According to Lewis, he considered it one of the highest honors that had come to him in the course of his long life.

Sports Enthusiast

It seems that Uncle Lew was a die-hard supporter of Algona athletics.  He regularly attended sporting events and for three to four years prior to receiving this award, Smith had sent the football teams $5 every time they won a game and customarily did the same for the basketball teams. As a part of the honor, Lewis was presented with a certificate which entitled him to free admission to every game for life.  He was also asked to make a speech to the boys, but he declined stating that he did not like public speaking.  However, with his regrets he included a $10 check which he said could do his talking for him and which he assured them would bore them much less.  He did add that the boys should make it a practice to “go in and win, and never mind what it costs Uncle Lew.”

Because of his committed support to the boys’ athletic programs both physically and monetarily, he was regularly invited to the athletic banquets.  Although he was unable to attend the dinner honoring the football team in December of 1919, a poem written and dedicated to him was delivered to the crowd.  It read as follows:

“Uncle Lew”

Tonight we have among us

A friend so tried and true

His name I need not mention

For he’s well known to you.

For years he’s stood behind us

A strong and mighty wall

He joins in all our pleasures

And grieves whene’er we fall.

We know he’s on the side lines

To cheer and urge each one

And how he waits and watches

‘Till the game is once begun.

His face is set and worried

He looks for every boy

Then how he swells with happiness

And his pulse beats high with joy

To see—‘tis old Algona

Who puts the ball across

And does it with such ease and grace

Without a moment’s loss.

And when on one occasion

We met our Waterloo

When we were all disheartened

He felt so sorry too.

But when we count our victories

As we very often do

There’s no one feels the interest

As our friend so staunch and true.

So many, many dollars

He’s added to our pile

And did it with a spirit

That brought with it a smile

And so tonight we greet you

Each one would have you know

That all the honors we have gained

You helped to make them so.

When we have finished High School

And started life anew

We’ll all look back with honor

To our own “Uncle Lew.”

1922 Algona High School Football Team

Lewis continued with his interest in the athletics program for many years.  In 1922 the Senior Class of Algona High School published the very first annual entitled the “Algonquin.”  Page sixty-nine of that publication was devoted to Lewis H. Smith.  The words they used to describe him illustrate his love of youth and the good example he set for them:

“Mr. Lewis H. Smith, perhaps more than any other Algona man, has always been a great booster for High School athletics.  He has always shown a keen interest in the boys and their games.  “He has the real spirit of a good sportsman—he puts clean sportsmanship ahead of winning a game.  No one enjoys a clean, scrappy contest better than Mr. Smith; and when two such teams play a game, he is ready to take off his hat to the victors.

“His very presence on the side lines, anxious to see the boys do their best, has been a great inspiration to the team to put fight and pep into the game.  Through his interest in the boys and their games he has won a place in their hearts, long to be remembered.”

The 1923 Algonquin again mentions the impact he had:

“It is impossible to measure Mr. Smith’s silent influence, but his very presence stimulates the boys to play a better game, to be more manly in their sports—in short to be real men.

“The boys are always anxious to see him at their games, and we trust his good health and vigor may long continue that we may have the pleasure of his being with the boys, and occupying his accustomed place.”

Well Loved Supporter

Lewis H. Smith passed away in January of 1928.  The annual for that year, entitled “The Senior Magazine,” was dedicated to him.  The first two pages following the title page contained his photo and the following salute:

“To the memory of Mr. Lewis H. Smith whose personal interest in the students and activities of this school has given him a place in the heart of every pupil, whose fine personality and moral integrity have inspired many to higher ideals—this volume is affectionately dedicated.”

Lewis H. Smith was unforgettable in so many ways.  Learning of this side of him has only made me appreciate him more.

Until next time,

Jean (a/k/a Kossuth County History Buff)

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THE PICTURESQUE PURVIS - HOUGH HOME

As any regular reader of this blog knows, I love the book Picturesque Algona.  I find each of the properties in the book fascinating and love to look into their history.  Today let’s visit 715 North Thorington Street. 

Peter Purvis

In late 1884, Peter Purvis purchased an eight acre tract of land from A. F. Call in Section 2 of Cresco Township.  The tract contained a cottage which the Purvis family moved into in March of 1885.  This cottage was not meant for the long term, however, as Mr. Purvis had plans to erect a beautiful residence which would become known for its lovely architecture.

Peter Purvis had come to America from Peebles, Scotland, arriving in 1856.  His father had been a farmer, but Peter became an apprentice to a master carpenter, spending four years learning the trade.  Upon his arrival in America, he settled in Johnstown, Wisconsin.  It was there he met and then married Mary A. Galbraith on November 25, 1865.  The young couple came to Algona on June 4, 1870 where they made their home.

Purvis immediately began practicing his trade and establishing a reputation as an honest and dependable woodworker.  Over the years he built many homes and barns in the area, constructed and repaired county bridges, and made many custom wood pieces such as the pulpit for the Congregational Church.  He was also the head contractor for the

Algona Episcopal Church 2015

building of the Episcopal Church in Algona.  His skills even took him to California for a job.

Construction begins

In preparation for the building of his new home, Purvis purchased the lumber and placed it overhead in his shop, so that it could thoroughly season before being used.  He began making the doors, sashes, and window caps as time allowed.

The foundation for the new house was laid in May of 1886, marking the beginning of the construction process which continued on for several years.  In 1888 Purvis added several verandas and continued work on the inside.  The finished house was in the Carpenter Gothic style and contained many fine examples of Purvis’ skills.

Extensive grading was done in the vicinity of the Purvis house and a barn was built on the property.  An orchard was planted.  Many ornamental shrubs surrounded the house and the family kept a large vegetable garden.  A unique feature of the yard was a sundial Peter made and placed in front of the house.  It was made from a solid oak block, 17 inches across the face, and was on a pedestal. Reminding Peter of another age, it was made to replicate those made in stone often found in old country gardens.   

Peter continued to make improvements to his property.  In 1903, he installed cement walks about the residence. 

Eight children were born to Peter and Mary and all grew to adulthood with the exception of their eldest, John, who died in infancy.  In 1908 their daughter, Mary, was married at the residence to Edward Hough with 100 guests in attendance.  Edward was a railway mail clerk and had lived in the community for two years prior to his wedding.  Little did they know that one day this house would belong to them.

Although Peter was raised in the Presbyterian church, he affiliated with the Congregational Church when he

came to Algona.  He and his wife were active in the congregation and the community.  Peter invested in a downtown property which he leased to others.  Thanks to a firebug, the building was heavily damaged in a fire in 1895.  It is interesting to note that in 2015, a downtown building still bears his name.  

After a lifetime of hard work, Peter suffered a stroke in April of 1912 and died two days later, leaving many examples of his workmanship in the community.  Well respected and admired, his obituary states “He was ever an industrious and law-abiding man, a good citizen and a good husband and father.”

Mary Purvis continued to live in the house until her passing in 1923 at the age of 89.  Her funeral service was conducted from the home and she was laid to rest next to her husband in Riverview Cemetery. 

Still standing

The landmark home remained in the family for several generations with daughter Mary and her husband, Ed Hough, being the first to follow.  Neighborhood children enjoyed sledding on the hill on the north edge of the property each winter.  I am delighted that this property still stands in all its glory at the north end of Thorington Street. 

Until next time,

KC History Buff

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