"In 1881, George [Emmons] and his brother Lewis/Lars [Emmons] operated a store 1 mile south of the Minnesota/Iowa border in Winnebago County, Iowa, near a community then called Norman. [Scroll down for information on Norman, Iowa] Five years later, in 1886, they moved their business across the border into Minnesota. They built on their father's [H.G. Emmons] farm and called the place Emmons." 1The Village of Emmons was incorporated in 1899 and George H. Emmons was elected mayor.
The EmmonsCity Hall was built in 1899 and has since been replaced with a more modern structure.Water and sewer service were added in 1901 followed by the first cement sidewalk in 1908.The railroad station was moved to Emmons from Norman, IA in 1904 after a lengthy court battle with the railroad company that went as far as the Supreme Court. Click HERE to read about the history of the depot.During the 1930's, Emmons was allowed to be listed as Emmons, Minnesota and Emmons, Iowa to save on freight rates.The EmmonsLutheranChurch was built in 1902 and dedicated the following year.The current church building was built in 1960.A four room school house was built in 1904 and was replaced with a much larger brick school building in 1922. Though they had shared resources for some years prior, the EmmonsSchool District officially merged with the Glenville, MinnesotaSchool District to form the Glenville-EmmonsSchool District in 1998. Noteable figures in Emmons, Minnesota history include both H.G. Emmons who served in the Minnesota House from 1877-78 and son Henry H. Emmons who served in the Minnesota House from 1919-1921. Henry H. Emmons died in office in 1921. Additionally, Emmons is the birthplace of artist Lloyd Manford Herfindahl b.1922- d.1996.
*The longest consecutively serving mayor in the State of Minnesota's history (pictured at left)
Historical facts:
In September of 1926 the South Side Pool Room was raided by the Freeborn, Worth, and Winnebago Sheriff's Departments for illegally selling liquor.The manager of the business fled town, but was arrested in Mason City several months later with 4 gallons of alcohol in his possession. Click HERE for more information.
Freeborn County's only legal hanging was a result of a murder that occured in Nunda Township on September 6, 1859. Click HERE for the full story.
Glaydon Iverson was the first Emmons casualty of WWII. He was killed December 7th, 1941 at Pearl Harbor.
A large scale brawl between the Irish and the Norwegians occured during a pre 1898 4th of July celebration in Norman, IA (scroll down for info on Norman, IA). A group of Irishmen came in from Twin Lakes to spoil the celebration. According to the newpaper article from the The Graphic: "...Just 30 minutes after the gang drove in, they were driving back with many of their men lying helplesss in the wagon box. The Norwegians had won, but it ended the celebration."
In 1928 a woodpecker caused a water shortage in Emmons when it poked holes in wood casing used to protect the pipes on the water tower from the cold.The pipes burst causing a large amount of water to rush out of the tower.Local hunters went searching for the bird, but were unable to locate it.
There was once a small steamboat on StateLineLake.Unfortunately the boat was used as target practice by hunters and is now resting at the bottom of the lake.
Where is Norman, Iowa?
Norman, Iowa was a town during the late 1800's/early 1900's located just to the south of Emmons, MN on the IA side of the border .According to an article in "Emmons, Minnesota: A Century of History," Norman, IA had a school, post office, 2 shoe repair shops, 4 general stores, blacksmith shop, hotel, hardware store, boarding house, depot, stockyard, lumber yard/coal yard, school, and public croquet court. During this time, people in Norman referred to Emmons as "Devil's Corner."
Some memories of Norman, Iowa from "Emmons: A Century of History" :
"Highlighs from the Norman children were the organ grinder and the gypsy caravans. The hurdy-gurdy music could be heard from quite a distance as the oragan grinder with his bear and monkey would put in their annual summer appearance. The bear would climb any available pole and after the monkey performed he would pass the hat. Children flocked from all over the town down the Main Street. The trio went on their way after the pennies had been collected."
"One of Norman's earlier residents recalled that Mrs. Arneson, Mrs. Maggie Ausen's mother, operated a very successful business. Going to the Arneson home was quite a thrill as you could peek into the parlor, which had a boughten rug on the floor. They were a novelty in those days."
The demise of Norman
It was suggested in an article printed in "Emmons: A Century of History," that "It is possible that the lack of foresight on the part of [Norman] area property owners to sell lots for commercial and residential purposes stymied the growth." Many of Norman's buildings, including the depot, were later moved either to Emmons or to an area about 1/2 mile west of Emmons on State Line Road near the creamery that was once referred to as "Kingsville".
If you venture south on Hwy. 69 into IA, you will notice a group of homes to the east of the highway in the first 1/2 mile south of town.This grouping of residences is all that is left of Norman, IA.
Click HERE to see an aerial photograph of the Norman area today.
Click HERE to see an old plat map of Norman, Iowa.
Note that Hwy. 69 follows the old path of the railroad tracks. Try opening another browser window and comparing the old Norman and the current Norman.
All other information from: Emmons, Minnesota: A Century of History; The previous mentioned publication was created using many records of Vera L. Willey, former publisher of the Emmons Leader newspaper.
