The library has signed the papers and work has officially started on changing the old Dollars and Cents Store into the new home for the Elgin Library. Volunteers have been busy trying to get everything ready for the Grand Opening date scheduled for April 1st. They are currently building bookshelves, making the bathroom handicap accessible, laying sub-floor, and painting. Anyone willing to volunteer their time, materials or monetary donations can contact Ruth Boyer or Deb Michels. The Library Board would like to thank everyone who has already donated time, materials or monetary donations.
Stay tuned for more updates….
Elgin Hospital Ready To Occupy
The finishing work on the interior of the new hospital was completed the latter part of last week. Seven rooms beside the culinary department have been arranged and the operating equipment is the most complete that can be had. Just as soon as electrical appliances can be obtained an x-ray machine will be added and we will then have the most up-to-date institution of this kind in this part of the country. (This Article was taken from the Friday, April 9, 1915 edition of The Elgin Times.)
It’s amazing how far we have come along in the medical world since 1915 and it will be equally amazing to see where we go in the future. Elgin still has our hospital, Jacobson Memorial Hospital, we also have two clinics the Elgin Community Clinic and the Elgin Clinic. Elgin is also home to the Jacobson Memorial Care Center and Dakota Hill Housing, which is an assisted living center. However, our medical community doesn’t stop there we also have a dentist, optometrists, chiropractors, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and massage therapy.
To see more of Elgin’s Medical Community visit http://www.elginnd.com/health-safety/.
The Elgin Library Board has come to an agreement with Roger and Becky Watson for the purchase of the Dollars and Cents building. The transaction will not be official until November 15th when the papers are signed. The Library Board is still looking for $10,000 to be raised that will allow remodeling to be done for handicap accessibility and paying the utilities. The Board hopes to have the remodeling done and the library up and running by Spring of 2010. If you can help by donating time or money it would be greatly appreciated. If you are willing to dontate your time please talk to one of the board members: Ruth Boyer, Glenda Klein, MaryWillnow, Gloria Vaaler, Deb Michels, or Gwen Hoffman. Or monetary donations can be sent to: Elgin Library, P.O. Box 426, Elgin, ND 58533.
The Board plans for the library to include several computers and printers for everyone to use, technology classes, a room for arts and crafts for children and adults, a center for the senior citizens to play card, visit or host events, a special location for children and adults to read and a display of our local artists and historical artifacts.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE LEAVES BUSINESS SECTION OF ELGIN IN ASHES: $50,000 BLAZE.
Those were the headlines in the August 22, 1919 Elgin Times. At nine o’clock Wednesday morning two important streets in the city of Elgin lay smouldering in ruins. The fire almost wiped out the city of Elgin. It started in the second story of the Julius Heil Pool Room at about 3 a.m. and by 9 a.m. ten buildings were razed.
Elgin fire-fighting apparatus was inadequate and little could be done to prevent the spread of flames. People gathered and two chemical engines were put in use but with little effect. The bucket brigade did the best it could. It was not until the fire departments from New Leipzig and Carson were called and Bleick’s traction engine was employed that the fire finally was brought under control.
Those businesses and buildings that were destroyed by the fire were: The Balliet building that housed the Heil Pool Hall and George Neal’s Barbershop; Mrs. Rehndahl’s Restaurant; Dittus Brothers Implement Business; the Post Office building owned by G.H. Freitag; F.G. Boetcher building belonging to the Elgin State Bank; J.S. Mayer’s Tailorshop, owned by Curlew Lumber Co.; J.K Pettis building occupied by Wm. Rivinius, George Monson and A.D. Knight; The Henning’s Restaurant and the Lemke building.
In most cases the contents of the buildings were removed before the fire reached them expect for those owned by Mrs. Rehndahl, Mr. Heil, Mr. Neal, and Dittus Brothers. The entire loss was estimated at $50,000, but insurance covered only $11,300, leaving a total loss of approximately $38,000.
The fire was a disastrous one and it took many years for the city of Elgin to rebuild. The origin of the fire is still a mystery.
Reprinted from the Elgin Diamond Jubilee History Book
