Starbuck Depot Society has been around since 1986
News | Published on April 18, 2022 at 12:59pm CDT
By Melanie Stegner
news @pctribune.com
The existence of the Starbuck Depot in its current state would not be possible without the time, dedication and passion for preserving history that the past and present members of the Starbuck Depot Society have demonstrated. The group has worked diligently for years to collect artifacts and information to display at the museum.
The Starbuck Depot Society was founded on June 4, 1986, after a public meeting attended by 37 people with interest in restoring the historic building. Officers elected were Dorie Pederson, President; Bruce Bastin, Vice President and Lorie Billehus, Secretary/Treasurer. From the group of 37, there were 13 that went on to be part of the SDS including Maurice and Audrey Amundson, Lorie Billehus, Irwin and Verna Knutson, Harold and Arloa Knutson, Arne and Dorie Pederson, Earl and Lola Rundgren and Sandy and Jean Wilson.
The first celebration of Lefse Dagen was held at the depot on May 16, 1987. Many more events have been held at the depot. The first celebration of Juletre Lysning, or lighting of the Christmas tree, was held in December of the same year. In 1988, Efter Fest featured a catered meal for 32 people in the depot waiting room. The first celebration of Eple Tiden began on September 28, 1991.
After five years of restoration, the Starbuck Depot held its grand opening on May 16, 1992. A big parade was held honoring the record holding Lefse Team and a nine-foot, eight-inch concrete slab was unveiled right in the spot where the world record lefse of the same size was made in 1983. The Lefse King, Gary Legwold, was on hand to promote his book “The Last Word on Lefse,” which dedicated an entire chapter to Starbuck’s record-breaking feat.
Many people made an impact on the preservation of the depot and Starbuck’s history, but there is one name that stands out, Gladys Ness Brang. Gladys, or Glad as she liked to be called, was the daughter of Anton Ness. Anton managed the lumberyard located on the southwest corner of the Cenex property that was purchased by the depot in 1992. Glad was pertinent to the acquisition of this property with a $30,000 donation.
Gladys Ness Brang was a 1926 graduate of Starbuck High School and went to work for General Mills. She returned to Starbuck upon her retirement in 1990 and the depot project became her passion. She contributed around $100,000 towards the restoration. Glad passed away in 1998. The Gladys Ness Brang Foundation was left $3 million from her estate and has been a huge asset to the Starbuck community. She still holds a special place in the hearts of those associated with the depot.
The Starbuck Depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The exterior is much the same as it was in 1883, including the original telegraph equipment inside. There are several buildings on the depot property including the Starbuck School House. The schoolhouse originated in Minnewaska Township. It is set up inside to look much like a classroom from times past, featuring antique desks, maps, yearbooks, class photos and a working school bell that still rings.
The Skoglund Building, formerly the Standard Lumber Company office, displays exhibits from Starbuck Medical, the Starbuck Movie Theater and a piece of the world’s largest lefse from 1983. There are tributes to Gladys Ness Brang, the Starbuck Lions Club and the photo collection of Ernest Gorder. The building suffered extensive water damage in 2017 and has been newly revitalized.
Ernest Gorder was a lifelong resident of Starbuck. His family farmed north of town. He had a particular interest in photography, especially black and white portraits of his friends and neighbors. His collection titled “Our Neighbors” is featured in the Skoglund Building thanks to a donation by Jacob and Eleanore Gorder and family.
The Starbuck Depot is in the process of creating a new exhibit titled the “Lefse Hall of Fame.” The exhibit will include photographs, stories and tools associated with lefse making. Many people have already contributed photos and stories of their lefse-making adventures and memories. The Lefse Hall of Fame will have its grand opening on May 21, 2022, during the Lefse Dagen celebration and to mark the creation of the world’s largest lefse, Gary Legwold, the Lefse King, will again be in attendance.
If you have an interest in contributing memorabilia to the Starbuck Depot, you can visit their website at starbuckdepotmuseums.org, check out their Facebook page, email them at starbuckdepotmuseum@gmail.com or call Blaine Pederson at (320)239-2742 or Harvey Pederson at (320)239-4383.
