Chapter 57
-- Compiled by the Cumberland Women's Club
and Published by the Cumberland Advocate
1874-1974
(used by permission of the Cumberland Advocate)
Donated by Linda Mott
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City Hall--Nostalgia and Now--1874-1974
Records showing the workings of City Hall are available beginning with 1885. We will attempt to give a brief glimpse of our fascinating past starting with that year.
April 14, 1885--The first meeting to draw up plans for a City Charter was held in the office of Mead and Wright with Mayor Royce, Chairman. Pease was elected President of the Council; Daniel Lynk, Clerk, with salary of $75 per year.
Committees:
License--Richards,
Waterman,
Hunter;
Finance--Waterman,
Pease,
Johnson;
Streets--Hunter,
Richards,
Griswold;
Ordinance and By-Laws--Pease,
Richards,
Waterman;
Fire
and Water--Griswold,
Hunter,
Johnson.
April 24--The meeting was held in the Engine House. It was voted that Mr. Kinsman be allowed $50 for drawing City Charter.
April 28--City Ordinance passed.
May 19--Bills allowed: C. Reeves, lighting city lamps $10.
July 29--A.J. Olson is City Clerk. Allowed: A.O. Ritan, for goods furnished the paupers of the city $16.91.
Resolved: no bills for services rendered to paupers by Physicians in the City be allowed unless authorized by the Common Council or Mayor.
August 4--O.R. and L.J.L. were placed upon the Black List and notices ordered sent to every saloon keeper in the City.
August 18--The Street Commissioner was instructed to change the location of street lamp from skating rink to Methodist Church.
November 2--The Common Council resolved that there be levied upon all the taxable property of said City a sum equal to one per cent of the assessed valuation of the property of said City amounting to $1734.63, for support of the City government for the coming year.
December 1--The town clerk presented a bill amounting to $106.50 for road and bridge work performed by them and which they claim is city's share to pay but the chair not finding out who had ordered the work done for the City, laid the bill on table.
January 19, 1886--After considerable debating the town bill of $106.50 was allowed at $82.50. An ordinance passed taxing male dogs $2.00 and female $3.00 with proceeds to go to the Fire Department.
March 16--The Council allowed the Presbyterian Society the use of the Engine house for worship provided the Fire Company had no objection.
April 13--T.P. Stone is elected Mayor.
The office of City Physician with salary of $75.00 was created.
May 18--It was voted that the City Attorney be instructed to draw an ordinance prohibiting the running of large horned cattle in the streets of this City.
April 1895--Ordinance was passed authorizing construction of Cumberland Telephone Company Circuits.
January 25, 1898--It shall be unlawful for any person to tie or hitch any animals to any electric light pole in the City. Penalty: Up to $5.00 or confined to Barron County jail up to 15 days for first offense; second offense to $10.00 or 20 days.
September 1900--The Office of Superintendent of Electric, Light and Water was created. Flat rates: Residence and office till 11:00 PM 32 candle power lamp each per month $.50. Meter rates: 1000 watt $.08.
January 1905--Ordinance was passed to establish rates governing uses of city water; bath tub $1.00; steam engine $3.00 per H.P., churches free.
February--Andrew Carnegie donated $10,000 for library. $1,000 was levied annually on taxable property for maintenance.
April 20--Disallowed: The bill of Henry Hodge for $80.00 for horse claimed lost on account of miring in the road in the southwestern part of City. It was voted that 4th of July committee be empowered to grant all street licenses on July 4 and to use the proceeds of same for the 4th of July celebration.
June--Applications for saloon licenses totaled nine.
August 1907--Bill allowed: Presented by C.E. Foote, railroad fare for tramp $.55.
1908--Board of Review: A.C. Uecke sworn as to value of the building known as Uecka's Opera House testified "I cannot state the cost of my building. Much of the money spent on it was wasted. It is not worth as much as Hotel Cumberland within $1,000."
April 1909--Recommendation by Committee on Streets: We find the Barronett Road on the D. Cole corner north to the city limits only two rods wide and in very bad condition.
May--The Chairman of Committee on Streets was instructed to let Claus Jacobson have the use of the jail lot for garden purposes in consideration of said Jacobson cleaning up the said lot and keeping it free of foul weeds.
June 1912--An Ordinance to provide for a Volunteer Fire Company was passed.
January 1914--Ordinance to prohibit skating, skiing, coasting on sidewalks. Fine: $10.00 or 30 days in Barron County Jail.
February
1920--Ordinance fixing salaries of City Officers: Mayor-$300, Clerk-$900,
Treasurer-$300,
Attorney-$300, Commissioner of Public Health-$200 and Assessor-$200.
May 1923--Ordinance: No person shall on or after October 1, 1924, maintain or use an outside closet commonly called a privy or water closet within City.
November 1924--No person under 16 shall be permitted to attend public dance unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Fine: to $100 or 30 days.
April 2, 1919--Whereas parking space is much in demand on Second Street, Resolved, that no oil pumps shall hereafter be installed on said Second Street. The Water Commission recommends the extension of City water to the Peter Stoll residence. It was moved to purchase a Ford truck for $665.00. It was moved to allow $80 for improvements and repairs at Tourist Park.
March 4, 1930--The Mayor vetoed the fixing of salaries (clerk-$115 per month, policeman-$115.) for reasons that many of our taxpayers are hard pressed for money and that many of them who are efficient would be glad to act as such officers at a less salary.
July 1931--It was voted to donate $200 toward the 4th of July celebration put on by the American Legion and Business Men of Cumberland.
May 1, 1934--The Mayor's appointment of a Garden Committee was approved.
April 16, 1935--A representation from the Woman's Club was present and asked that the children at the Tourist Park be supervised in their play this coming season.
December 3--The vote for Project Number 1, known as the "Athletic Field Project" passed unanimously.
August 4, 1936--Discussion: The wiring and installation of Flood Lights at the Athletic Field.
July 28, 1938--Presented: Van Fleet's report on the cost of Municipal Electric Light Plant.
August 2--Discussion took place regarding the Rutabaga Festival.
October 4--E.N. Buzzelli was granted a Junk Dealer's permit.
July 7, 1942--It was voted to hire an office girl at $20 per month for work on sugar rationing.
October 6--The Public Property Commission arranged with the Library Board to prepare the basement room at the Library for Red Cross work.
September 27--The contract for a new well for $7,260 was awarded to McCarthy Well Company.
August 6, 1947--A unanimous vote will require all milk sold and delivered in City of Cumberland for home consumption be pasteurized.
November 18--The estimated cost of water main north from S.B. Cook corner $25,000; the actual cost was $17,160. A change in Special Assessments was made accordingly.
January 6, 1948--Cost of insulating Library is $235.00.
September 7--An ordinance was adopted to include City personnel under the Wisconsin Retirement Fund.
October 5--Work at the Airport has been progressing rapidly.
December 7--There was discussion regarding license to sell intoxicating beverages at the American Legion Barracks.
January 4, 1949--The toboggan slide is now completed and ready for use.
April 19--It was voted to proceed with the erection of street signs as recommended by the Cumberland Civic Club.
July 5--The Mayor called upon the President of the Cumberland Civic Club, who expressed the desire for the City and the Civic Club to act hand-in-hand to secure housing for the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing people who expect to make their homes in the City.
November 1--A discussion took place concerning the possibility of installing parking meters.
March 27, 1950--A special meeting was held for considering steps taken in opposition to the C. St. P. M. and O. Railway relative to removal of the Namekagon train through this area.
April 15, 1958--Albert Skinner is elected Mayor.
June 18--The Junior Chamber of Commerce is allowed to sponsor a Water Carnival at the Tourist Park.
February 1959--A water line is installed to the new High School.
March--We have the beginning of house numbers in City.
March
23, 1960--The Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing purchased the Municipal
Building. The sixties brought us: Mosquito fogging, a new water tank, a
public bath house, water mains on Highway "H", natural gas lines, an obstetrics
wing at the hospital, the Cesa Number 4 building, Mental Health Clinic,
a shelter house at Tourist Park, a city garage, hospital
ambulance
service, and the purchase of the golf course.
The early seventies have given us: Memory monitoring equipment at the hospital, the designation of snowmobile routes, the Senior Citizen's Center at 1143 Foster, and City Hall's new location.
Albert Skinner holds the office of Mayor, Herb Robinson is City Clerk-Treasurer. And NOW, we are heading out in the unknown toward the year 2074.
Submitters
Notation: A photo of a spinning wheel party, taken in 1912 at the Louis
Larson residence next to the old Cumberland
hospital. The photo includes: Mrs. Gregor
Mathisen, Mrs.
Tom Knutson, Mrs.
Andrew Flottum, Mrs.
Ed Moen, Mrs.
Andrew Ritan, Mrs.
Ellefson, Mrs. Ole Wold, Mrs. Amond Moen, Mrs. Claus Jacobson, Mrs. Ole
Torgerson, Mrs. Moen,
Mrs.
Hans Aalmos, Mrs. Ole Overby, Mrs. Andrew Jerdee, Mrs. Ole Eide, Mrs. Ben
Wold, Mrs. Lerdall, Mrs. Peter Stoll, Mrs. Gust Warland.
Thanks for stopping by!
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