The next installment of our National Register series tells the story of two buildings connected at a corner. Discover the history of Colonial Hall, the doctors who lived there, and the reasons the Anoka Masons chose to build their lodge right next door.
Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.
Read MoreThere are just 11 months left before the museum needs to move out of it’s current location as the city is redeveloping our current location. Join us for Part 2 of this journey where Sara and Rebecca dive into the collection and discuss the monumental task of moving everything in the collection.
Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.
Read MoreThe first County Commissioner meeting in 1857 voted to “receive proposals for locating County Buildings.” It took 20 years before they broke ground - hear the story of Anoka County’s Courthouse.
Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.
Read MoreThe City of Anoka has decided to redevelop the land and building we occupy at 2135 Third Ave N. For 25 years, we have enjoyed in-kind rent, a nearly 9,000 sq. ft. building, and a prime downtown location. This arrangement has enabled local history to thrive through events such as Ghost Tours, walk-in visitors, and other activities. Join us on this journey! We will keep you informed about the challenges and victories we experience throughout the upcoming year.
Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.
Read MoreThe first reports of residents in Anoka borrowing books date back to 1859. Discover the story of the city’s evolving library system, including the women who led its establishment, the construction and eventual destruction of a Carnegie Library, and the final developments in its history.
Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.
Read MoreAlong the banks of the Rum River just a stone’s throw from cars zipping along Ferry Street, hides Anoka’s Amphitheater. Hear about how this open-air theater came to be, its construction in 1914, and the years of concerts, plays and and community events that were performed there. The amphitheater is the next in our ongoing series on Anoka County National Register Properties.
Be sure to stay to the end to hear an update from ACHS about the museum.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreEd Tomniczak flew 49 combat missions in the cockpit of a B-24 Liberator during WWII. Hear him tell the story of growing up in Columbia Heights and his journey to becoming a pilot in the Army Air Corps. This episode contains excerpts from an interview Ed gave to the Columbia Heights Community Television station in 2006.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Leo Elke, ACHS Collections Manager.
Read MoreBuilt in 1854 the Shaw-Hammons house has been home to Anoka families for over 170 years. Learn about this home and the people that lived there. This episode is part 4 of our Anoka County National Register Properties series.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreListen in on a busy night of Ghost Tours in Anoka with ACHS. Learn about how the tour came to be, meet some of the guides, and hear new stories as we gather stories to update the tour.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreAs a response to shenanigans leading up to October 31, the City of Anoka came together for their first Halloween Festival in 1920. Hear what that first Halloween was like and how the city came together to celebrate the day.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreIn 1886, the Principal of Anoka schools whipped Susanna Coleman, 14 year old black student, as punishment. The incident sparked a month-long conversation in the newspapers that grappled with race and corporal punishment. This episode is a part of the Hidden History series at ACHS.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreThe Woodbury House is the second oldest building in the city of Anoka. Learn about the house on Ferry St., its history that spans back to the beginning of the city, and the families and businesses who have called this National Register Property home.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreA large brick building, complete with tower, overlooks the Mississippi River in Anoka. Uncover its fascinating history as the Kline Sanatorium, a cutting-edge (for 1902!) medical facility founded by the tireless Dr. James Franklin Kline, and now a building on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreFor 90 years Grosslein beverages bottled and distributed beverages. Learn about the history of this Anoka County company and listen in to Al Pearson and his grandson Tim as they teach Nate Otto how to drive the Grosslein 1919 Model T truck - a replica of the original delivery truck the Grosslein’s used in Fridley on their routes.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreCommuters along Hwy 169 are familiar with the Anoka-Champlin Bridge which crosses the Mississippi River. But what they may not know is that it is on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn about its history, all the way back to the very first bridge built there in 1884.
National Register of Historic Places series no 1 of 17.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreAuthor and oral historian Kim Heikkila delves into her deeply personal and thought-provoking book, “Booth Girls: Pregnancy, Adoption, and the Secrets We Kept.” This powerful narrative intertwines memoir and oral history, offering a window into Kim’s captivating journey filled with emotions, challenges, and profound revelations.
This episode is a portion of Kim’s presentation at the 2025 ACHS Annual Meeting held May 18, 2025 at the Circle Pines City Hall.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreOn September 8, 1974 Randy Bauer, Jerry Mimbach, and Tom Anderson (all from Coon Rapids) embarked on an epic 7,500-mile journey starting at the headwaters of the Mississippi by kayak. This year, Jim Bauer relaunched Randy’s book about their journey.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreAround 2am March 31, Charles Loken silently roused a few residents of Cedar to let them know that bandits were in the process of robbing the State Bank. The men armed themselves and staked out the bank, waiting for the thieves to emerge. What followed was a shoot out, car chase, man hunt, and ultimately an arrest.
Join Sara to hear this story and more on the Cedar Cemetery Tour June 21.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreJames Shepherd and his family are part of Anoka County's Hidden History. He served in the 50th Colored Regiment during the Civil War before eventually moving to Burns Township by 1870. Intern Miller Krueger collaborated with the Anoka County Historical Society (ACHS) to piece together James's story and his connection to the previous name of Burns Lake.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreMary and Mike Clark celebrated over 50 years together, raising a family, laughing together, and navigating life and the experiences of being a Vietnam Veteran. A few months before Mike passed away, Mary sat down with Rebecca to share her memories of how they met, and how she understood the PTSD that came with being a veteran.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
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