Pictured below is the Stickney General Store
Courtesy of the Lamb Family Collection in the Schroeder Area Historical Society Archives
An Introduction to the Schroeder Area Historical Society
By Gregg Westigard -
In the files at the Cross River Heritage Center is a yellow-covered spiral notebook. Written on the cover is the notation “Schroeder Area Historical Society 1996 & 1997.” Inside, in beautiful handwriting, are the careful minutes of the first two years of the SAHS board. It is a fascinating story.
That story starts on page one with the minutes of the August 2, 1996 meeting. While it does not say First Board Meeting, the notes go on to record the first recorded (Are there any earlier notes out there?) actions of the SAHS.
Five persons were active during the first year and a half: President Sandy Bennett, Vice-President Caroline Miller, Secretary Margaret Carlsen, Treasurer Kermit Carlsen, and board member Emily Andersen. The five met monthly setting in motion the work that led to our present-day Society which turned 25 years old in 2021!
The first meeting set a goal of recording oral histories and listed 29 local persons who should be interviewed, starting with Robert and Linda Silver. Other early projects identified included: collecting photos and maps, gathering family genealogies, and hosting community gatherings where stories could be shared. The board also started the long work that led to the incorporation of a non-profit and the writing of by-laws. Taking ownership of the building that is now the Heritage Center was down the road.