Document - Historical Society Minutes - Eagan HIstorical Society Minutes 02052008 - 2/5/2008MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2008
A regular meeting of the Eagan Historical Committee was held on Tuesday, February 5,
2007 at 3:30 p.m. in the Eagan Room at Eagan City Hall. Members present were: Ted Wachter,
Alyce Bolke, Kim Hazel, Carolyn Krech, Mary Ellen Voracek, Mimi Cerny and Dawn Simpson.
Also present was Communication Coordinator Foote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the December 12, 2007 Eagan Historical Society meeting were approved as
presented.
Carolyn Krech was welcomed and introduced as a new member. And Mimi Cerney was
welcomed back.
UPDATE ON TOWN HALL SIGN & PLAN DEDICATION ACTIVITIES
Foote introduced the item and stated the Town Hall sign has been received and it will be
installed this spring. The Committee discussed the new sign and the dedication of the sign and
agreed to hold a celebration at the Town Hall dedicating the sign sometime thereafter. The
Committee discussed combining the dedication with an open house and ideas that would match up
with the Minnesota 150 anniversary celebration. Ted stated he has a tape of the inauguration of the
Old Town Hall. Foote stated, if Wachter brought the tape in, she would see that a couple of DVD’s
were made from the tape.
FACE OF MN SIGNING BY WACHTER
Foote introduced the item stating the book entitled The Face of MN which had previously
been donated to the Committee by Ted Wachter has now also been signed by Ted. She further
stated the book includes three photos taken from the Eagan Old Town Hall which were used on the
interpretive sign for the 1914 Town Hall..
LOST SPUR SIGN
Foote updated the Committee on the Lost Spur sign which was recently donated to the
Committee from an Eagan resident whose son worked at the Lost Spur in the late 1970’s at which
time the Lost Spur changed ownership. Foote stated the new owners did not want sign. Foote also
stated she will take photos of the sign and bring them to a future History Committee meeting. Foote
noted that documentation is still needed showing the sign was donated to the Committee.
STATE OF MN 150 CELEBRATION PARTICIPATION
Foote introduced the item stating the event is scheduled for May 11, 2008 at the State
Capital grounds. Foote asked the Committee if they were interested in participating in the event.
Historical Committee
November 7, 2007/2
Foote stated if there was interest, she would check on reserving a booth or table, what they allow,
what can and cannot be sold (perhaps the cards, book and other items) and what the hours of the
event are.
The Committee discussed finding a Minnesota map of 1860 or as close as they can get. The
Committee agreed to have Hazel and Knight search files in the basement at City Hall or go to the
County for a Minnesota map. Liz Witt had called to indicate she believed that such a map existed
in the Society’s files and perhaps had been framed.
The Committee discussed ideas for the MN l50 celebration and then briefly discussed
Eagan’s anniversary celebration.
CONSIDER HISTORICAL SIGN LOCATIONS(S) IN CEDAR GROVE
Foote introduced the item stating demolition has begun in the Cedar Grove area. She stated
the CDA is taking photos as buildings are demolished. The Committee discussed the area and
reaffirmed there will be numerous appropriate areas for signage, such as somewhere near where the
mall was located, recognize the Cedar Grove neighborhood at Cedar Pond Park, Silver Bell
Road/Nicols, Black Dog Village, the old schoolhouse, etc. for the purpose of coordinating sign
placement and installation.
Foote asked the Committee if they knew the family name of Yanta. Foote stated an email
has been received from a James Yanta regarding the possibility of naming a street in the
redevelopment area after his father who had been involved in the Cedar Grove Athletic
Organization. Members were not especially familiar with the name, Hazel thought she might
remember going to school with a Yanta. She agreed to ask her parents and Ray Wade what their
recollection might be with regard to the family.
OTHER BUSINESS
It was noted that Fred Heuer had Eagan carved on the gavel in the photo/display of Herb
Polzin and August Rahn that hangs at the 1914 Town Hall.
Wachter stated he found a tape of the remodeling of the 1914 Old Town Hall. It was noted
that John Kline is depicted on the tape and an effort will be made to pull of photo of Kline off the
tape.
The election of officers will be put on the March agenda.
Wachter read a letter/article from a newspaper regarding the Gopher Ordinance Works in
Rosemount which was built in 1942. Wachter is looking into some family history related to the
issue.
Simpson brought in a copy of the Abstract of Title from the Heuer family homestead, whose
property she now owns, to be photocopied and kept by the History Committee.
NEXT MEETING
Historical Committee
November 7, 2007/2
The next regular meeting of the Eagan Historical Society will be Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at
3:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Hazel, seconded by Krech, the meeting adjourned at 4:48 p.m. All members
voted in favor.