History 21 The Podcast - 3.17 The Diaries of Alice Starrett
Samuel Starrett has become the literal poster child for the annual Ghosts of Anoka Walking Tour at ACHS. As the guides lead over 1,000 people past his home on Madison St. in Anoka, they share his legacy and stories from the homeowners about how he never really left. In this episode, you'll learn more about his daughter Alice through the eyes of ACHS volunteer Dave VenHuizen, who transcribed her six diaries. Dave chats with Rebecca about what he learned about Alice, her family, and the city of Anoka by reading her thoughts as a young society woman. Follow along with the conversation, join them on a trip to the Starrett home, meet its current owner for an inside look, and hear Heather Birch's first introduction to Sam.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Brief biographical information:
by Dave VenHuizen
At the time of these diaries, Alice Starrett lived at 320 Madison Street in Anoka, with her parents and at least 1 sister. There is no confirmation about whether her last name was pronounced STAR-ett or STARE-ett.
Alice was born on 9/21/1872, the daughter of Samuel Starrett (b.1835) and Jane Jordan Starrett. Jane was born on 7/16/1838, but the year is listed as 1836 in a memorial article. The 1920 census indicates that an older sister Frances (Fanny, b. 1872) and a younger sister Carrie (married name Piper) lived at the same address at the time, along with Carrie’s daughter Eleanor (Ellie), who was 18 years old at that time.
The left portion of their house was originally built for Samuel P. Starrett in 1879, and was situated on 2nd Avenue near Main Street in Anoka. It escaped damage from the 1884 fire in Anoka, was moved to 320 Madison Street in 1887, and grafted onto the house that stood there at that time. On 5/19/1893, Alice noted that their house was painted green, and it “looks lovely”. A vintage photo is shown below, with the owners in front. The combined house is still standing on Madison Street, and has a taupe color. (Note: It was re-shingled with dark brown shingles in April 2023.)
Alice’s father Sam was struck by an artillery shell during the Civil War, eventually causing him to go blind, but he was able to serve as the Anoka Postmaster for 5 years. He died on 1/13/1913.
Miss Alice M. Starrett died on June 21, 1970 at the Maple Manor nursing home in Anoka, and her family’s graves are in Forest Hill Cemetery in Anoka. Although she never married, her diaries indicate that a man by the name of “Butters” proposed to her on 6/12/1892.
Grave markers for Alice and other family members can be seen at Anoka Forest Hill Cemetery.
The Anoka High School she mentions in her diaries was likely the former Irving School, built in 1866, and later moved to Monroe Street where the “new high school” was later built (1905). That “new high school” building still stands at the Monroe Street location.
Alice’s 6 diaries were written during the period 1/1/1887 – 9/29/1895.
In the Vault
Alice Starrett Diary transcriptions, typed with additional photographs and context by ACHS volunteer, Dave VenHuizen.
Anoka County Library Minute
Further Reading:
Diaries or journals can serve many purposes – from practical planning and tracking of the day-to-day happenings, to recording the events of your life for posterity, or writing for the purpose of catharsis. Journals can also serve as a vehicle for artistic expression. While the media and formats diaries or journals can take have changed dramatically over the years – analog vs. digital, for example – the importance of recording day-to-day life remains. Listed below are library resources available for those interested in all things journaling.
You First: journal your way to your best life by Lea Michele (158.1 MIC)
Having the Last Say: capturing your legacy in one small story by Alan Gelb (808.06692 GEL)
Plains woman: the diary of Martha Farnsworth, 1882-1922 by Martha Farnsworth (978.10310924 FAR FAR)
A Pocketful of Happiness: a memoir by Richard E. Grant (921 GRA)
Expressive Pages: journaling the everyday by Judith Cassel-Mamet (DVD702.81 EXP)