Editor’s Note:  This is another in a series of stories about the history of Glenwood’s Band Shell, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary this July 9 with a special program and dedication.   It was written by volunteers and staff members at the Pope County Historical Society.

“In the good old days, Glenwood had a renowned city band that provided good entertainment and a source of civic pride”. This was the opening sentence in a very well written article by Jeanne Olson a former Tribune staff writer back in the 1980’s. Some 100 years before then, the Glenwood Cornet Band was one of few in the entire state. For many years considered the best cornet band in Minnesota. The talent all came from Pope County and later mainly from the Glenwood Academy.

Glenwood was always a music locality. For many reasons, one being most of the early people who settled in the area were musical. Many were interested in music and therefore the Glenwood schools, from early on, were expected to be strong supporters and carry on the traditions of the early settlers. That is music was appreciated and apart of the local culture and history. No one did this more that the Glenwood Academy (1894-1911).

The early prominence, 1872, of the Cornet Band set the pace. Mr. Benheimer, who had once been concert master of the Boston Symphony orchestra, directed the local musicians. Names like Peterson, Kaldahl, Wollan, Dougherty, Farmer, and later Lybeck, Sather and others were added as the Glenwood Band, as it became known, added more members.

As time progressed, interest grew and membership increased and tours of the state, fairs, festivals and contests became part of the yearly events. In1914, a three day band contest at the Corn and Alfalfa Exposition in Benson was scheduled. There were many bands and a prize of $100.00 was offered for the best band. Glenwood won. That’s $3,000.00 in today’s value !!!! The band was directed by O.J. Haugen. A 1912 photo on file at the Museum shows the local band and its many members. Later summer performances occurred weekly in Glenwood at the city park. One time, after the bandshell was built, folks from all over west central Minnesota were on hand. An estimated crowd of over 5,000 congregated in town. The park was a solid mass of people in front of the bandshell.

Reports and articles as far back as August of 1892 note events and program details for the Glenwood Band. How they “quit practicing in the hot weather”, of the many band festivals, fundraisers, an annual 4 day band encampment of 13 bands, (many who camped on Eagle Point). In 1896 an open air concert at the Pavilion, an open air cruise on the “steamer” on Lake Minnewaska, and in 1897 a trip to the Minnesota State Fair and a first prize award, partaking in the July 4th celebration and how the local folks turned out for the basket social where $38.80 was raised ! By 1898 masquerade balls netting $87.00, as new uniforms were needed. 

However, it appears by the lack of articles following that era, the band situation had dimmed. In fact, there is little record of the situation until an article in 1903 noted that the Greenland Band, which was organized two years earlier, 1901, would be doing a concert in July. The band was made up of men from Walden Township. Then again little information in regards to bands again until 1907. Then in 1907, an article in the Glenwood Herald noted that “Glenwood has material for a good band and that boys might organize that fall”. 

It went on to say the “need was obvious” that Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings could be “made pleasant”. That a band playing on the Lakeshore and celebrations and festivals would bring in folks to the community and money being paid to visiting bands could then be kept local. It went on the encourage the folks in town to support and organize the musicians and that there was no lack of leadership and talent. Both the Academy and High School had strong leadership and there were at least 20 qualified and accomplished musicians in Glenwood alone. There again names such as Gandrud, Wollan, Gorder, Kaldahl, Johnshoy, Mellem, Rosholt, Ofsthun, Forde, Torguson, Werdin and Nelson were noted. 

By 1908 the effort and support had been initiated and a newly organized band was formed. Under the direction of C.A. Townsend, a former Glenwoodite now living in Starbuck. The newly formed group received strong support from the city council and that after Townsend was finished organizing that E.G. Mellem from the Academy would handle the direction. By summer, concerts and picnics were being held on the lakeshore, and  refreshment stands, and that the President of the Lutheran Synod of America would speak at one Sunday event. By1912-13 the Glenwood band was noted throughout the area, new uniforms were acquired, a director was brought in from Iowa, a board of directors guided the efforts and the entire community was behind them.  

This all new and community backed effort led to many positive and much needed projects in regard to the city park area. Noted in the Herald in April of 1913, “Clean-Up at the Park”…. “Splendid Work Done Last Friday Afternoon at Our City Park”. The article went on to note that the “band boys” arranged for a general clean-up of the park. The appearance of the park was much improved and a team of horses and equipment was furnished by Fox and Renn  to grade two knolls, with the surplus dirt used to fill in a trench by the road. A large group of school children showed up at 4 o’clock and raked and picked up debris. An older group worked on making flower beds and that various grades would maintain them throughout the summer. The band boys took on responsibility to raise enough money to hire a man to work for 4 months each summer to maintain and care for the property. That year though donations, events and other money raising efforts they raised enough monies to pay Fox and Renn, the new maintenance man and for various tools etc. They had $75.65 left over to go into the next year. 

There we will leave you off until next article. New needs and many additions to the band boy’s efforts and story await. Before we go, we want to remind you that in July, in fact July 9th, , we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of our beloved bandshell and honoring those many individuals and those that made it possible. Stay tuned for additional articles coming periodically here in the Tribune. We will also report in the near future more about the program and activities planned for that evening. Please tell your friends and classmates. So many folks have been involved in the past and history of the Bandshell. We would love to see them all there !

Again thank you to Tim and the Tribune, KMGK, the Chamber, the Pope County Historical Society and staffs for their support in this project.  Yes Community, common goal, group unity and cooperation.