History 21 The Podcast - 5.03 George Atwood
George Atwood moved to Anoka in 1912 where he helped construct Cottages at the Anoka State Hospital and spent winters as a lumberjack in Northern Minnesota. In this episode listen as he shares what it was like living in the lumber camps. Hear George’s voice from an oral history recorded in 1979, and a reading of the short memoir he penned describing the jobs, and even smells, at the Ball Club logging camp.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
George Atwood
1892-1989
Remembrance printed in The Colonial Hall Crier (the ACHS newsletter), May 1989.
The Passing of a President. George H. Atwood, 96, passed away on 20, February 1989. He was born on 27 march, 1892 in Kanopolis, Kansas. When still a youngster the family moved to the Green Mountain area of Vermont.
George came to Anoka in August, 1912 when 20 years of age. He was a contractor by trade. He helped in the construction of the Anoka State Hospital (cottages 5, 6, 7). In November 1912 he joined about 25 Anoka men to work in the North Woods as a lumberjack. This camp was located near Ball Club, MN. He worked there 2 winters. Upon returning to Anoka, he built up his construction business. He built several houses in town, barns, garages, store fronts, and even a school and a church (location unknown). He made beautiful cupboards and cabinets, tables, etc.
George also helped to build the famous Alaska Highway (Alcan) and wrote and published a book about this adventure. During WWII he helped build camps, pumping stations for gasoline to Fairbanks, and nose-hangers for planes on air strips.
Atwood was a world traveler and especially enjoyed wild life. His photographic ability enabled him to capture wonderful pictures on these travels.
Among the many organizations to which he belonged were the Anoka Masonic Lodge #30, the Odd Fellows Lodge (which he served on the council for the blind 13 years) and the Anoka County Historical Society.
George’s membership in A.C.H.S. was of mutual benefit. His long and interesting life certainly give him historical knowledge (which he shared so freely.) He served as President of the Society for 12 years. It was during his tenure that Colonial Hall was acquired as the Museum. … Upon his retirement as President he continued to be active in Society activities by serving as a tour guide. He also served as a Director on the Board.
George’s passing is an end of an era, but he has definitely left his mark on this little corner of the world.
George’s echo is present in the current museum every day. In 19XX he built a diorama of the City of Anoka as it would have looked like in 1876. Visitors examine the small wooden buildings, and trees made from toothpicks trying to blend their memory of today with what was here before.
Library Minute
If the topic of logging in Minnesota interests you, check out these titles available with your Anoka County Library card (don’t have a card? Apply online!) There are informational books to learn more about the history of logging and similar topics – even one for the youngest readers about the surveying error that likely saved many acres of Minnesota forest! Included are also a few adult fiction books that feature logging camps as the stories’ setting.
Adult Nonfiction:
Tree Thieves: crime and survival in North America’s woods by Lyndsie Bourgon (333.75 BOU)
Impermanence: life and loss on Superior’s South Shore by Sue Leaf (508.77 LEA)
Tim berrr! : pine logging in the Big Fork River Country. Volume 1 by Benhart Rajala (977.679 RAJ)
Minnesota: a history of the land by John Whitehead (DVD977.6 MIN)
Adult Fiction:
Children’s Nonfiction: