Document - Historical Society Minutes - Eagan Historical Society Minutes 03042008 - 3/4/2008
MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2008
A regular meeting of the Eagan Historical Committee was held on Tuesday, March 4, 2007
at 3:30 p.m. in the Eagan Room at Eagan City Hall. Members present were: Kim Hazel, Dawn
Simpson, Millie Gagnac, Ray Wade, Norma Wade, Gin Knight and Carol Ann Wilson. Also
present was Communication Coordinator Foote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the February 5, 2007 Eagan Historical Society meeting were approved as
presented.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Foote began by noting that Chair Wachter asked that the Election of Officers be added to the
agenda this month. Knight then opened the floor for nominations to elect a Chair to the Eagan
Historical Society and nominated Hazel for Chair of the Eagan Historical Society. Wade seconded
the nomination. Hazel declined the nomination. The group was asked for volunteers to serve as
Chair. No one volunteered. Wade said he would be willing to Chair some meetings in the summer
months if needed, but that he would not be able to make most meetings in the winter months.
Knight nominated Wachter for Chair; Hazel seconded the nomination. All members voted in favor
of Ted Wachter for Chair.
In absence of Chair Wachter, Foote opened the floor for nominations to elect a Vice-Chair
to the Eagan Historical Society. Hazel nominated Knight to continue as Vice-Chair of the Eagan
Historical Society. Gagnac seconded the nomination. All members voted in favor of Gin Knight as
Vice-Chair.
TOWN HALL SIGN DEDICATION ACTIVIES
Foote introduced the item giving background on upcoming sign dedication activities.
Wade made a motion to dedicate the 1914 Town Hall historical marker in the spring of 2008
and dedicate the next historical marker in the late summer or early fall of 2008. Hazel seconded the
motion. All members voted in favor.
The Committee discussed when to hold the annual Open House for the 1914 Town Hall.
The Committee discussed the possibility of holding the Open House in the spring, along with the
marker dedication at that location. The members are tentatively looking at June 1 for both events.
MN 150 HISTORICAL SIGN LOCATION
The Committee discussed areas in Eagan having significance 150 years ago as sites for a
historical sign to commemorate Minnesota’s 150 years. Foote stated some of the areas discussed at
a previous meeting were Scotts General Store, Nicols Station, Wescott Station and the Highway 13
– Red River Trail area. The Committee further discussed an old school near Cedarvale and an old
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March 4, 2008
farm house on Rahn Road. The Committee also discussed having photographs of historic places in
Eagan, including the original Cedarvale businesses. Hazel, Simpson and Wilson will contact people
they know who may have photographs of the original Cedarvale.
MN 150 CELEBRATION PARTICIPATION DISCUSSION
Foote introduced the item. She stated she will find out more information for the Committee
regarding participation in the sesquicentennial celebration which we believe will be held the
weekend of May 17-18. Foote was given the name of Jane Leonard at the Sesquicentennial
Commission as a contact person.
1860 EAGAN MAP
FAMILIES LIST / CELEBRATION OF DESCENDANTS IN EAGAN
Simpson stated she and Hazel had found an 1879 and 1896 maps in the Historical Society’s
basement files. Simpson volunteered to go to the Dakota County Historical Society to look for
maps as well. The Committee discussed if they found an 1860 map, they would want family names
and photos to correlate to the map. Foote stated that while the Historical Society would certainly be
involved in a 150th Celebration for Eagan, the celebration would likely be of a much larger scale
than this committee would want to lead and expressed hope that a larger commission would be
formed within the community and would take the lead role in the organization of Eagan’s 150 year
celebration.
OTHER
Carol Ann Wilson gave a brief background on herself stating she lived in Eagan on Zircon
Lane from 1979 to 2006. Wilson spoke about the Lee and Dick Yanta family. The Yantas were
discussed at the last meeting and Carol had been asked by Wade to come provide her knowledge of
the family with the members. She stated the Yantas lived on Emerald Lane, near the Emerald and
Diamond Lane intersection. She further stated Mr. Yanta was in charge of girls’ baseball and a Mr.
Willman oversaw the Cedar Grove Athletic Association and may also have information on Mr.
Yanta. She noted that many people in the Cedar Grove neighborhood had been as involved, if not
more involved, in the early athletic programs as Mr. Yanta was—including her husband and several
others she could name. She did not know whether it would be appropriate to commemorate a street
in honor of Mr. Yanta, based on what she knoew, as there were many others that would be equally
deserving under the same criteria.
Foote gave background on an email from the Yanta family relative to naming a street after
his father.
Foote also noted for the knowledge of the group that there is now an Ames Crossing,
commemorating the Ames Property in northeast Eagan, and will soon be a Milk Run Road which
commemorates the DesLauriers property. Both names were granted based on suggestions from the
Eagan Historical Society.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon acclamation by the Committee, the meeting was adjourned.
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March 4, 2008