In an oral history, Albert Bye describes his parents coming from Norway to Minnesota, his family life growing up starting with his birth in 1894, him being drafted during World War I, and his life as a young adult.
In an oral history, Alec Ruttger discusses how his parents started a resort in Crow Wing County, how he took it over and expanded it, and that his three brothers also got involved in the resort business. As a family, they built up the very well known Ruttger empire of resort locations.
In an oral history, Bill Van Essen talks about his family's restaurant, Van's Cafe, which was a Brainerd landmark. He also discusses other lone-gone Brainerd restaurants, and how eating out and the business community has evolved.
In an oral history, Burton Stanley tells of arriving in the Pequot Lakes area in 1900, riding on a logging train on a 50 below zero February day. He also talks about his work in the logging industry working with a team of horses, repairing early autos, harness making, and horseshoe making. He explains how he thinks that people were better off in the ""old days"" than they are in 1975, when this interview was recorded.
In an oral history, Carl Byers describes his early work as a lumberjack, working for the WPA during the depression, his dealings with Indians, and returning to the logging industry.
In an oral history, Charles Warnberg, a former sheriff of Crow Wing County, talks about the the old jail/sheriff's residence, the state of law enforcement when he was in office, and some the crimes that were committed.
In an oral history, Mrs. Burton (Clara) Stanley relates the tough times as a child, not being able to start school until 8 years old in 1903, and only going until the 4th grade because she then had to go to work. She also talks about what various things were like in the early part of the 20th century, her husband's place of business burning down, and wildlife that existed.
In an oral history, Ed Ruttger tells of his father, who came from Germany and was a machinist, got started in the resort business on Bay Lake near Deerwood, and his family's involvement.
In an oral history, Emery Dibble discusses several topics including moving to Crow Wing County via a covered wagon pulled by a team of oxen, a fire destroying all of his family's possessions, his mother having to work to support the family, his life growing up, and jobs he's had over the years.
In an oral history, Ernie Cate discusses his early family life near Brainerd, his elementary schooling, being in the service during World War I, and working with Indians in his business.
In an oral history, Mrs. Charlie (Esther) Jokela discusses various topics including growing up in a Finnish family near Brainerd, going to a country school, and life on the farm after she got married.
In an oral history, Frank Gutz talks about moving to Pequot Lakes after his wife died during the flu epidemic of 1918 to keep his children from going into an orphanage. He also discusses what Peqout lakes was like during the 1920s and the Depression, his work as a painter, rationing during World War II, and various other things.
In an oral history, Henry Mattson tells about his father coming from Sweden to homestead near Brainerd about 1896. He also talks about things he remembers from his childhood up to World War I like life on the farm, his schooling, and cutting wood to sell. He also speaks of things concerning the 1920s and 1930s and how he help to build the telephone lines in the area.
In an oral history, Herb Anderson describes his family coming to Crow Wing County from Sweden experiences he had as a youngster, encounters his famly had with Indians, his parents starting a resort, and general information about the area in the early part of the 20th century.
In an oral history, Herbert Frank Thiesse tells about how life was growing up on a dairy farm during the Depression years and what the family did to survive.
In an oral history, Mrs. Ed (Jessie) Berg describes her family coming to Crow Wing County, her experiences as a teacher starting in 1903, her husband's work, and her thoughts on various historical events.
In an oral history, Lucille Shaw, a life-long resident of Brainerd, relates how she contracted polio as a child (which she recovered from) and her teachers would come to her home so she could get her education. She also tells about starting a successful book store business, and buying a house which she paid for by having renters in the upstairs. She speaks of her family history, life during the Depression, and old businesses of Brianerd.
In an oral history, Mabel Foss talks about her husband and her running a restaurant, coming to Brainerd in 1929 and running a grocery store, and her church.
In an oral history, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Dropping talks about various topics including his family moving to the Jenkins area in 1901, his life growing up on a farm, her career as a teacher, and life during the Depression years.
In an oral history, Mrs. Annie Bragstadt describes her family life in Norway, the journey from there to Minnesota in 1903, and her life as a young adult, before and after her marriage in 1914.
In an oral history, Mrs. Christine Rowland (nee Olson) discusses her family history and her memories and involvement with her church in Brainerd, of which she has been a member for 82 years.
In an oral history, Mrs. Emily Cline describes her family coming to Crow Wing County in 1896, her life as a youngster in the Pequot Lakes area, and job working at a resort during the Depression, where she met several Hollywood movie stars.
In an oral history, Mrs. William Dickson discusses her family coming to Crow Wing County in the late 1800s, her early schooling, her German-born father's feelings about World War I, and the Depression years.
In an oral History, Nora Bye describes her parents coming to Crow Wing County from Norway, her family life from her birth in 1901 until her marriage in 1920, and her elementary school experience.
In an oral history, Oscar Gravdahl talks about growing up on a farm near Pequot lakes in the ealy 1900s, his schooling, his work in a logging camp and with the railroad, what Pequot Lakes was like and conditions that existed during the Depression, and his service with the fire department.
In this oral history interview, Ray Bang recounts his childhood, early job as a short order cook, and his time in military service as a mess sargeant where he worked as a cook and baker. Note: parts of this interview are not clearly audible.
In an oral history given on February 13, 1975, Ruth M. Alexander relates her family history, her experiences as a teacher, and dealing with rationing during World War II.
In an oral history, Selena Molstad talks of her father coming to Brainerd from Norway, her childhood memories of her church, and getting her teaching certificate, and doing practice teaching in a country school.
In an oral history, Severn Flatagraf relates that his parents came from Norway, how they went about homesteading west of Pequot Lakes in 1896, his schooling, and life growing up on the farm.
In an oral history, Tarz and Virginia Larson realate the history of their families and their involvement and the activities of their church. Tarz's real name is John, but he got his nickname as a child. The Tarzan craze was going on at the time. John tried to emulate the character by climbing trees and pounding his chest, and the kids in the neighborhood called him "Tarz". The nickname stuck.
In an oral history, Thelma Johnson relates that, as a child, church services were conducted in Norwegian, going to a country school, rationing during World War II, and activities in her church.
In an oral history, Vernon Davis, a local historian, discusses various topics such as people he has known, artifacts he'd found at the site of an old Northwest Trade Post, and logging camps.
In this oral history inerview, William Hansen discusses his childhood, church attendance, confirmation, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, and an incident in which he pours a plate of lutefisk down a woman's back. He also recounts houses he lived in and singing in the choir. Note: parts of this interview are not clearly audible.
In an oral history, Arvid Anderson describes his family settling near Garrison, Minnesota, his work as a heavy equipment operator for the Minnesota Highway Department, and his experiences as one of the first pilots in Crow Wing County.
In this oral history interview, Gus Frey discusses his childhood and the businesses he remembers from his childhood. Note: parts of this interview are not clearly audible.
In an oral history, Wayne Curtis tells about the livlihoods of his family and himself, and a story about the peculiar owner of a hotel where his family was forced to live for a period of time.
