03/14/2023 - Eagan Historical Society
Eagan Historical Society Meeting Minutes
March 14, 2023
Present: Tim Dulac, Jodi McMaster, Ashleigh Sullivan (Walter), Mary Ellen Voracek, Lori Tripp, Ted
Ringberg, Doris Lazarski, Lynae Gieseke, Joe Reid, Dawn Simpson and Kim Hazel.
I. Meeting called to order at 11:10am.
II. Historical Society Business
A. New Business
1. Jodi presented her research on the Shields property. She found info on when it was sold from
William F. Cartwright to the Easton’s. Then she had to start research on the other end. She found lots
of flip flops back and forth between relatives. 1855 was the first record of the property. 1928 John
Shields was recorded as owner. Jodi is going to write up a report for us on the property. She will send
copies when completed. The property is still for sale. Jodi said the property has been for sale for 160
days. Mary Ellen has not heard back from the realtor. Joe stated he has been there in the past and took
pictures of the outside house. We would still like to get inside and maybe take pictures. Jodi is going to
check probate records and see if we can find any relatives.
2. The Laserfiche project is moving forward. Lori thinks completion date sometime this summer.
Several people are now trained and have passwords, usernames, etc.
3. Ashleigh pulled up the City of Eagan website and showed everyone how it works. She then showed
us how to access the agendas, minutes, photos, documents, etc. Worked really nice!
B. Old Business
1. Ashleigh found the info on the Burr Oak Tree planted at the OTH. It was planted July of 2017. She
had some pics of the event. She contacted the City Forester about a plaque. She showed us a picture of
an example of a plaque of a tree planted that the Eagan Lions donated. We all agreed that would be
perfect for the tree at the OTH that was donated by the Kick Start Rotary Club. Ashleigh will move
forward with the City Forester and have a plaque made.
2. We have 2 versions of the story of Timber Doodle Farms:
a. Kim spoke with Jeff Adelmann. Jeff Adelmann and his family had a farm stand on Hwy. 13 in Eagan for
many years. It was located where the MTVA bus garage is now. He remembered Timber Doodle Farms.
He said it was located on either Johnny Cake or Galaxie Roads on the Apple Valley boarder. He recalls
there were 2 brothers that started this “Pick-your-own” vegetable farm. People were allowed to come
in and pick vegetables. Then the staff would go behind the pickers and pick what was left on the plants.
That would be sold at the roadside stand. He kind of laughed about the “Pick-your-own” idea. He
thought the years for the farm were from 1973-1976. He said they did plant some berries too, but
berries take a while to get established. They closed down before that.
b. Mary Ellen heard from Leann Lehmann about Timber Doodle Farms. Leann contacted Kevin
Huebscher from Kev’s Corner. He operated a vegetable stand for many years on Hwy. 3 in Inver Grove
Heights. He stated a group of “Hippies” started the farm in the 1970’s. He said it was located in the
general area of Costco and the then Polzin property. He thought there was a building or two on the
property. He said they grew fruits and vegetables.
3. April 11th we will be going to the Dakota County Historical Society Lawshe Museum. Tour and
meeting at 11AM. For those that want to carpool, meet in the lower PD parking lot at 10:30AM. We will
then leave for S. St. Paul. Lori said Kathy Jansen will be coming with. Kathy’s husband Bernie Jansen,
(Past EHS member) is the creator of the UNIVAC electronics/computer display there. If time and
weather permits we will then go over to the OTH and check on some measurements and condition of
the building after the long winter.
4. Reminder Old Town Hall open house on Sunday, May 7-11AM-2PM.
5. We will reschedule our May meeting for Tuesday May 2, 11AM at the Old Town Hall. We will do
some cleaning and display set up. Dress accordingly.
D. Other
1. Lynae brought up Art Block. The Art Block runs from Sept. 9-24. The group decided not to participate
because of the requirements, low attendance, and the cost. When we did it a few years ago, (2021) it
was very costly for the amount of people that we had in attendance. So, instead we will just have our
Fall Open House on Sunday, September 24-11AM-2PM. While on the Open House topic we picked
Sunday, July 30-11AM-2PM for our Summer Open House.
2. Kim will call Pane Masters window cleaning company and see if we can set up May2nd for him to
come out and clean windows again for us.
3. Dawn shared her photo album of her house with the group. The changes and updated construction
of Lexington Ave., old and newer pics of the house, various remodeling projects and the original granary
from the old homestead is still standing on her property. We have a picture of some children by it in the
basement that we are trying to identify. Joe stated he received some pics from Dawn a few years back
that he has on his computer.
F. Meeting adjourned at 12:35PM
Minutes submitted by Kim Hazel