Edina West Upper Division - Windigo Yearbook (Edina, MN)

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1778 — James Bramaha's improved water closet 18 BICENTENNIAL

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Drummer first in area A drummer from Fort Snelling was the first white man to see the area called Edina. His name was Joseph Renshaw Brown and he made a trail along Minnehaha Creek through Edina to Lake Minnetonka. Shortly after 1850, a group of people came from Ireland and settled on the military land owned by Fort Snelling. One of these Irish settlers built Edina’s historic mill in 1856. In 1859 the mill was bought by Jonathan Grimes. The mill operated constantly during the Civil War in order to supply flour to the troops at Fort Snelling. Andrew Craik purchased the mill in 1859 and named it Edina Mill in memory of his boyhood home in Edinburgh, Scotland. This was the first time the name Edina was used. The earliest schools built in Edina were Cahill and one at Code's Corner (Normandale and Valley View Road). Edina was a part of Richfield in the 1880's, but soon Richfield began taking money in taxes and not giving the Edina area the benefits from the taxes. The community decided to break away from Richfield and form their own town. With the secession, came a severe disagreement over the name of the village. The Scottish people wanted the name Edina, but the Irish promoted the title Kilarney Lakes. There were many debates and, when a vote was finally taken, the Scots won by a narrow margin. Thus, the community became the Village of Edina on December 18.1888. 1777 — Article of Confederation

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1779 — Congress sends forces to Wyoming against Indians In C OS CRESS. Jmr jje. Stoi« pf'-Xnwrira. Happy Birthday America Red, white, and blue cake and ice cream, and Happy Birthday America” bumper stickers were just a few of the many products introduced to celebrate the Bicentennial year. A Bicentennial Lane, created by Southdale shopping center, presented a variety of displays commemorating the nation’s birthday. A special U.S. flag and symbol were designed to honor the nation’s 200th year. Tours of the renovated Old Cahill School in the Frank Tupa Memorial Park were led as part otthe celebration. Other events included the government operated Freedom Train” which visited Minneapolis in its run across the United States, also numerous dances and parties with Bicentennial themes were held. Expressing her opinion of 1976, Wendy Chalgren (12) commented, I feel commercialism has degraded the true meaning of the Bicentennial, however, the celebration has given Americans an awareness of their heritage and a pride in their country. BICENTENNIAL 19