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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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 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, 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.
