Washburn High School - Wahian Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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OLD US GOVERNMENT MILL BRIDGE WARE-1351 ORIGINAL UJATUBURN MILL CARVER'f PALLT-H. ANTHONY UJA WBURN MONUMENT EARLY MINNEAPOLIS

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 THE MAN OF VISION 11 Behind the massive wails of Washburn High School lies the heritage of a caveman-pioneer who with his mighty power and zeal transformed the once straggling village of Saint Anthony into the greatest milling metropolis in the entire world, namely, the Minneapolis of 1932. Cadwallader Condon Washburn was born in Livermore, Maine. April 22, 1818. His brothers and parents were all vitally interested in government and politics, and he was fated to be no exception. He had learned the general fundamentals of business from experience he derived serving as a cleric in a store. Not satisfied with life merely as a servant of industry, Mr. Washburn had a yearning to go out into the great West and serve rather as a Master of Industry. His wish was realized now that he was able to live his dreams. Thus was established the original Washburn B Mill, constructed in 1866. This mill cost the founder $100,000 which was considered a huge amount to expend on what was termed as a Milling Folly. Mr. Washburn directed the operations of the mills from his magnificent estate in LaCrosse. Wisconsin, the lumbering center of this area. Wisconsin readily recognized him as an able statesman and a man of strong will power. Previous to his election as one of the first Governors of Wisconsin, Mr. Washburn had been widely recognized as an able lawyer. He served two terms in that capacity, winning the hearts of the Wisconsin populace by his capable manner of administrating the affairs of the state. Later, he was sent to Congress, and again his fame spread like wildfire. Meanwhile, his mills progressed under the capable leadership of one of his trusted men. A crisis nearly upset Mr. Washburn's plan to make Minneapolis famous. May 2. 1878, witnessed the greatest milling disaster of the flour industry. Fourteen mill operators lost their lives in an explosion caused by the accumulation of flour dust and favorable explosive conditions. The mill rose hundreds of feet into the air. followed by a massive sheet of flame. Even such a tragedy as this did not daunt the courage of the famous pioneer. Immediately following the wreck, he made plans to reconstruct the mill and to equip it with the latest type of processing machinery. He was aided financially by a host of friends who were interested in the so-called Washburn Folly. The success of the new undertaking was even greater than the most optimistic friends had anticipated. The demands of the market for the high grade of Spring Wheat they produced could not be satisfied. It was self-evident that a new mill was imperative to satisfy the demand. The new Washburn A Mill was the outcome. Fame and fortune of the Washburn Crosby Mills was, at last, being realized. Cadwallader Condon Washburn, citizen, statesman, scholar, and founder of Minneapolis milling died in 1882 leaving an amassed fortune of $2,250,000 which was largely used for educational and child welfare work. These projects were: a library, an astronomical observatory, an orphans’ home, a girls' school, and numerous other benefits for the betterment of child welfare. Linder a stately monument in Oak Grove Cemetery, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, his body was laid to rest to remain a tribute to milling progress. When the Board of Education sought a name for a high school to be located on the grounds of the former Washburn Orphans' Home, which Washburn founded as a memorial to his mother, it was only natural and logical that Washburn High School should be a small tribute to his memory.