Minnehaha Academy - Antler Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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cM-i'UoAiccd Sketch Page Sfac Rov. E. A. Skoogsbergh laying the cornerstone. September. 8. 1912. Th© following historical sketch was written In 1935 by Mr. E. N. Oborg, and Is quoted from Covonant Memories. When Rev. Skoogsborgh came to Minneapolis in 1884 he realized the groat noed of giving Christian educational training to the hundreds of young Swedish immigrants coming to tho Northwost. Whoroupon he started a school in his own homo at 617 Eighth Avenue South, Minneapolis, where many a young Immigrant was introduced into the intricacies of the English language and other subiects. Nineteen pupils were enrolled the first year. With the attendance increasing as time went on it was necessary to move the school to larger quarters -first to the Minneapolis Tabernacle mission on Riverside near 26th Avenue South, and then in 1887, to the ground floor of the newly erected Tabernacle on 7th Street and 8th Avenue South. In 1891 the responsibility of this school work was assumod by the Covenant, and Prof. D. Nyvall was placed in charge. In 1894 the school was moved to Chicago, and a now school for the Northwest was founded tho same year undor the name of the Northwest Colleglato and Business Institute. Classes met at first in tho Tabernacle, then in a large residence on Seventh Street noar Third Avenue South, and in 1905 returned to the Tabernacle. The Historic Year 1905 The year 1905 has historic significance for our school work, for it was in that year that the real beginning of our enlarged school activities was laid. It was on January 11, 1905, that seventeen mon mot at the Bethany Church in Minneapolis and organized the Minnehaha Academy. They deliberated long and prayerfully that oventful night and, after ropeated balloting, pledged themselves to go forward confidently in their great task of establishing a Christian high school Incidentally, these men were so absorbed in their deliberations that they hardly noticed that a terrific snowstorm was raging and that the streets were piled high with snow, blocking traffic. Some of these men lived in St. Paul and were obliged to walk their long way home, reaching their destination the following morning. A committoe was appointed to select a location for the now school. On that committee woro Prof. D. Magnus and Rov. B. J. Thoron They relate that after a diligent and arduous search for a proper site thoy woro led to a wooded farm situated on the banks of the Mississippi River near Lake Street in Minneapolis and lust across the river from St. Paul. When they saw this beautiful tract theso consecrated men felt God's leading so strongly that they then and there fell on their knees and thanked the Lord for His divine guidance. Doubtless they envisaged, too. the erection on that attractive wooded spot of an institution devoted to the Christian education of our young people and dedicated to God's honor and glory. Title to this tract of twenty-eight acres—a part of the great Louisiana Purchase by the United States—was acquired in 1904. and in 1908 sixteen acres were sold at such a substantial increase in price that $7,000 cash remained on hand after payments of all debts. The consideration given for the approximately twelve acres (including a 55-foot lot sold some years ago) retained for campus was $2,937.50. the grantors being Mr. John H. Martlndal© and his wife of Los Angeles. California. As the organizers of the school had not yet incorporated and could not therefore hold real estate under the name of Minnehaha Academy, one of the board members, on November 26. 1904. kindly advanced a part of tho purchase price and acquired title to the land temporarily. The following year the school was Incorporated. Subsequently, on October 5. 1914. Minnehaha Academy transferred by warranty deed its title to the property to tho Northwestern Mission Society (now Association). (Continued on Page Forty)

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fycuuu esiA. a Pago Fivo n a » a a a a ) ) Dedication of the School Site June 30, 1912, Prof. D. Swenson Speaking. Breaking the Sod June 30- 1912, Prayer by Rev. D. Marcelius Young Peoples Conference, June 21, Prof. D. Magnus Speaking Scene at the Dedication.

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Page Savon Mr. and Mr . A. L. Skooq Mr. Skooq, who la now deceased, was a groat benefactor to the school In its early years. Mrs. Skooq, as a tribute to her husband, has very graciously consented to let us print this personal Interview. With MnA. A. Jl. £koo f. “Mrs. Skooq. I'm here in the interest of the 1939 Minnehaha Academy annual, which is this year commemorating the 25th anniversary. Could you. do you think, tell me something about the history of the school as you remember it? To start with, who wero really the rock-bottom-foundors of the school? Well you know. Prof. Magnus picked out the location for the school, and he did a good deal of looking before he decided definitely on the site. Aaron Carlson certainly did a lot toward the school, too, in a financial way. Ho was ready, willing, and able to help the school in many ways, and ho surely did. My husband started tho Helping Hands association, and every single night he could spare lrom his numerous other dutlos ho was out collecting money for the Academy. Why. you know, when he was in tho choir loft directing his choir, and he would spy someone in tho church audience who he thought would donate a dollar to the school, he would Jump right down and run to ask that person if he wouldn't sign his name in his little book. I sometimes would ask him to quit begging money or pooplo would run when they saw us coming for fear wo would be begging donations again. Mr. Magnus, Aaron Carlson, and my husband seem to mo to havo been the most closely related to tho school. I think the original idea, and tho porson who felt most tho need of the school of that type was Prof. Magnus, although all three of those men, and many others that I cannot recall any longer, traveled much in behalf of the school. Tho school seemed to be all they were living for. thero for awhile. It was their one big aim to see the finished product of their efforts. “To speed the work and encourage the workers my husband wrote little songs and put them to music. I remember one that he composed during tho erection of the building. Where the building now stands it was really qui e woodsy at that time. There woro no houses, streets, sidewalks or anything out there. My! it seemed like wo wore really going out in the country when we went to the Academy grounds. Mrs. Skocg, do you romomber how tho school started out? I mean, was it a very encouraging affair did tho peoplo as a whole seem definitely interested in tho project? Oh yes. indeed. I remember it well. It was very encouraging all along. It was something now and was talked of a good doal throughout tho city, and into many parts of tho country. Why. tho first classes wore mostly students from out of town, and I'm sure there were well over 200 right from the beginning. Yes, it was very encouraging. Even at the breaking of the ground my husband did that you know the crowd was largo and definitely interested. I think you've told mo about all I could ask you in definite questions, Mrs. Skooq. but is there anything else you could add yourself that Mr. Skooq contributed to the school? Well, let me think a minute now. You know my memory isn't quite as sharp on some of thoso things as it used to be. Do you still havo a school paper callod The Ouivor? Yos, wo certainly do.” Maybo you would like to know then, that my husband named that paper. I still have the letter they sent him thanking him for it. His reward was a free copy of each issue. That was—let mo soe—I still havo that lottor hore someplace, oh yos—horo it Is- Nov. 8. 1920, and to think tho name ho gave your paper is still being used.