Towner County Historical Society
Towner County Historical Society began to function in 1954. It was organized by
a Dr. K. Koski, who came from Iron River, Michigan,to practice in Rolla. Dr.
Koski interested the finns into organizing the Society.
The Society started with only a few members at first. Their objective was to
collect historical facts and information dating back to 1896, when the first
Finnish settlers arrived. The founding meeting was held July 30, 1954, at the
Towner County Mount View School. At this meeting, officers were elected and 30
new members joined. By-laws were drafted, and the group took the official name.
The Society decided to build a memorial monument for Finnish pioneers. A date,
July 8, 1956, was set as to when the memorial monument would be unveiled,.
Discussion came up as to where the monument would be located. The Society’s
board of directors went to confer with Theodore Leonard and Amelia Johnson, who
were descendants of Riter A. Johnson, as he had promised to give an acre of land
for that purpose. The land that the Johnsons donated is on the north side of
Highway #5, seven and a half miles east of Rolla.
The Society ordered the $400 granite monument. Then preparation of the land
started to take shape. The land was worked and grass was sown. Men planted pine
trees, American Elm and Boxelder, on the acre of land. One of the money raising
projects was a dinner held at the Rolla City hall, with proceeds of $135. On
June 18, 1956, the monument was placed on the lot. On sunday, July 8, 1956, the
unveiling and dedication took place.
A large crowd of people was in attendance. Pastor Gorts led the people in prayer
and Thanksgiving, consecrated the memory of the Finnish Pioneers great
achievements. and dedicated the Memorial to commemorate these accomplishments to
future generations. Then the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” and
“Maammee Laulu” and, with closing signals by the buglers, after which,
everyone went to the Rolla Auditorium for a banquet dinner and program.
The Society had 80 members at one time. This organization was disbanded some
years back. As of today, the Finnish Monument has as picnic shelter and rest
rooms, and it is a very nice quiet placed to stop at, to have a picnic, or just
to stop and look at the historical monument.
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