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1. PIONEER VILLAGE OFFICE Built in 1984. It is the official entrance and exit to Pioneer Village. Back to the Map |
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2. FLOWER GARDEN The Garden was planned and planted by the Worthington Garden Club. This tradition began in 1986. Back to the Map |
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3. CLOCK Originally the clock was on the First National Bank of Worthington. Glass restored by Crystal Glass of Worthington. Motor and chimes restored by Society Board Member. Back to the Map |
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4. MERRY GO-ROUND Restored and financed by members of the Fairview Farmers Club in 1985. Work was done in Ag classes of Worthington Senior High. Back to the Map |
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5. RURAL SCHOOL HOUSE Originally District #46, Gilomen School, the building was built in 1899 and used until 1944. Purchased by Nobles County Historical Society in 1957, it was placed on the fairgrounds until 1968 when it was moved to its present location as the first building in Pioneer Village. Back to the Map |
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6. GAS STATION Formerly Crippen's Station serving Philllp's 66 products. It was originally located on the Northwest corner of Oxford and Humiston in Worthingon. Back to the Map |
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7. TRANSPORTATION BUILDING The Historical Society built this second building in 1974 at a cost of approximately $12,000. It contains vehicles and other artifacts of transportation In Nobles County. Back to the Map |
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8. AGRICULTURE BUILDING This was the first building constructed at the Village in 1969 and was designed to display agricultural artifacts used throughout the region. Back to the Map |
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9. BLACKSMITH SHOP This former granary building was moved to the Village in 1974. It is used as a functioning blacksmith shop. Back to the Map |
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10. CARPENTER SHOP Originally, this building was a maintenance shop at Worthington Cemetery. It was moved to the Village in 1990 and is being used as a turn of the century carpenter shop. Back to the Map |
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11. THRESHER SHED 1907 Minneapolis Return Flu Steam Engine and 36-60 Avery Threshing Machine. Back to the Map |
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12. CABOOSE Part of the Rock Island Railroad. It was delivered from Kansas City in December 1972 for $150. Extensive repairs were made following its relocation to Pioneer Village in 1973. The Caboose is no longer used by most railroads. Back to the Map |
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13. BOX CAR It was purchased in 1977 from Chicago & Northwestern RR. It was placed on the track that year. Back to the Map |
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14. RAILROAD DEPOT The depot was originally in Wirock, MN; it was purchased and placed in the Village in 1969. The brick platform was completed in 1971. In 1973 the rail section was installed, the rails from Westbrook and the ties from Luverne. Back to the Map |
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14a. RAILROAD STORAGE BUILDINGS Back to the Map |
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15. SAND TOWER Sand was stored in this tower to be loaded on the train engine. It was then released through tubes in front of the drive wheels to create traction when the wheels slipped. Back to the Map |
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16. MILLINERY SHOP Moved to the Village in the 1970's, this golf storage building was originally situated at the site of what once was a nine-hole golf course and sat on the east side of the entrance road at Worthington Country Club. Back to the Map |
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17. HOSPITAL & DOCTOR'S OFFICE Moved to the Village in the 1970's, this building began its history as the office building for the Adrian Lumber Company. It was decided to utilize the building as a small hospital in order to display many aspects of early medicine in rural Nobles County. Of significance is the Iron Lung used in Worthington during the polio epidemic of the 1950's. Back to the Map |
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18. LIBRARY & SLADE SAMPLE HOUSE Originally built in the 1900's and located behind the Slade Hotel in Adrian, it served as a display building for traveling salesmen showing their wares to local businessmen. It was moved to the Village in 1984 in order to preserve the Slade Hotel's place on the Historic Register. Back to the Map |
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19. WESTERN ADVANCE NEWSPAPER Originally on the S.B. Henjum site near 10th and McMillan where the present post office now stands. Robert Vance and Worthington Printing Company converted it to a print shop. Members of the Daily Globe newspaper staff set it up. Back to the Map |
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20. LARGE STUCCO CHURCH This church, the second to come to the Pioneer Village, is an example of a church in a more developed community. This Methodist Church from Okabena, MN, closed In the early 1990's and was moved to the Village in 1996. Built In 1914, it presents a strong religious feeling with its stained glass windows and the huge portrait of Jesus looking. Back to the Map |
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21. SMALL PRAIRIE CHURCH Built as St. John's Lutheran Church In Okabena, MN. The church was moved to its Pioneer Village location in 1971 and the pump organ was donated one year later. The kerosene lamps were found in a basement in the town of Kinbrae, MN. Back to the Map |
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22. CEMETERY No one is buried here. These Markers are located here because the graves were on a family's farm. When the farm was sold, the markers were abandoned and brought to the Village site. The Civil War stone was replaced by a larger marker. Other markers had been abandoned and given to the Village. Back to the Map |
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23. PARSONAGE This building was built in the 1870's and served as home for the John Nystrom family. It had been converted for use as a summer kitchen prior to its move from the Nystrom Fruit Farm to the Village in 1971 ... 100 years after it was built. Back to the Map |
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24. BARBER SHOP Since personal grooming was as important to early residents as it is today, this building, originally a filling station office, was relocated to its prominent position in Pioneer Village in 1974. It represents the early barbershop frequented by townsmen needing that proverbial shave and a haircut and perhaps a bath. Back to the Map |
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25. BANK Similar to many early banks in rural areas, this structure represents the First State Bank, which was established in 1887. It was built from an original plan by the State Bank of Worthlngton. It served as part of their observance of the Bicentennial celebration in 1976 and was then placed at the Village in 1978. Back to the Map |
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26. GENERAL STORE "If we don't have it, you don't need it"! This was the motto of the Pioneer Village General Store. Originally built as a saloon, and later used as a dwelling In Okabena, MN, it was established as a General Store when purchased for $250 and relocated to Pioneer Village in 1971. Back to the Map |
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27. CREAMERY Moved to the Village in the 1970's, this building was established as a cream station in Leota, MN, in 1911. Back to the Map |
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28. LAND OFFICE This was one of the first buildings on the grounds in 1969. The Land Office was always one of the first essentials in the beginning of any new town. Back to the Map |
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29. LAWYER'S OFFICE Placed in the Village in the 1970's, this building is also from the S.B. Henjum site at 10th & McMillan. Local attorneys donated materials and furnishings. Back to the Map |
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30. HARNESS SHOP Another building relocated from 10th and McMillan. It was set in place in the 1970's. Most important of the equipment was furnished by the Fred Elskamp Harness Shop. John Hintgen of Worthlngton provided some equipment. Back to the Map |
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31. GRAIN ELEVATOR A poignant symbol of the skyline of many small towns throughout Southwest Minnesota. Pioneer Village was pleased to have this elevator moved onto its present location in February 1980 through the united effort of 39 groups and individuals, and with assistance from the Coop Elevators in Bigelow, Round Lake, Rushmore and Worthlngton. The elevator was built in 1894 in Bigelow, MN, and served that community until 1979. Back to the Map |
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31a. PUBLIC RESTROOMS Public restrooms are located near the center of the Pioneer Village. Back to the Map |
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32. RED GARTER SALOON Charlie Won's Chinese Laundry was attached to one side of this building, Worthington's first general store. Built in 1872 by Peter Thompson, the building was moved to the Village courtesy of Rickbils Inc. Back to the Map |
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33. VILLAGE HALL Built in 1907 as Town Hall for Summit Lake Township, eight miles north of the Village of Reading, MN. This building was moved to its present location in 1979. The official Pioneer Village Hall, this building has served us well as a focal point for many special Pioneer Village presentations. Back to the Map |
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34. PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO Elk Township was the first home of this former Schoolhouse built in 1894. Moved to the Otto and Sophia Foss farm in 1915, the building was given to Pioneer Village in 1977. The exhibit is a clear "picture" of our past through the hundreds of photos on display as well as the photography equipment. Back to the Map |
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35. SHERIFF'S OFFICE & FIRE HALL The fourth building to be built at the Village, the Fire Hall was erected In 1986 to house 2 or 3 fire trucks and additional equipment used by volunteer firemen in Adrian, Bigelow and Worthington. Note the Sheriff's Office complete with jail located in the west end of the building. Back to the Map |
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36. SOD HOUSE Construction on this authentically designed sod house was begun in 1971 and completed in 1972 as part of Worthington's centennial celebration. The plan was based on actual sod houses in Nobles County with the walls, which are typically 20-24 inches thick, cut from virgin sod. Unlike the original counterpart, the roof and floor are made of wood. Back to the Map |
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37. PRAIRIE HOUSE The five-member Strangeland family called this building home until a new baby necessitated a move to a bigger house. Originally located on the NE quarter of section 17 in Lismore Township, the house was moved to the Village in 1971 with many of the original furnishings. Back to the Map |
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38. FARMHOUSE While this house was never located in a rural area, it is very typical of many farmhouses. Note the back porch and entry. James Green, a Civil War veteran, built this home in 1880 on 10th Street where the Atrium now stands. Moved to the Village in 1968, it became the second building on the grounds. Back to the Map |
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38a. FARMHOUSE STORAGE BUILDING Back to the Map |
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39. KITCHEN GARDEN Back to the Map |
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40. DOGHOUSE Back to the Map |
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41. OUTHOUSE Back to the Map |
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42. CARRIAGE HOUSE (STORAGE) Back to the Map |
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43. LUDLOW HOUSE This house has the unique distinction of having been built in 1869 and moved by oxcart from St. James to Worthington in 1871, where it became the home of the Ludlow family. It was moved onto its present site at the Village in 1992. Back to the Map |
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44. WINDMILL Back to the Map |
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45. POULTRY HOUSE Roosts, feeders, waterers, incubators, and other things associated with the raising of Poultry. Back to the Map |
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46. OLD RED BARN This well-used barn is typical of the farm structures found in almost any section of the county. It was brought to its present location in 1978 from the Arvid Sampson farm south of Worthington. A bridge hindered the barn's move. Opening the barn doors wide enough to allow the sides of the bridge to pass through the barn solved the problem. Used to house animals in the past, it is mainly used as a storage area for the Village. Back to the Map |
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47. BIG BARN Construction for this building began in 1989 with the assistance of a volunteer labor force, primarily the Nobles County Historical Society Board of Directors. Back to the Map |
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48. WWI ARTILLERY A 155mm artillery cannon. From known knowledge, it had never been used in combat. Children have "fired" it thousands of times. Back to the Map |