On Sunday, September 19, 2010, we hosted Bowlus Pride, an event to celebrate the history of Bowlus, MN, at the Bowlus Community Center (naturally!) Over 50 people showed up for the event, which doubled as our annual meeting. The Community Center sits along the Soo Line Recreational Trail and we caught glimpses of a number of bicyclists using the trail out the windows during the event.
MCHS board member Stan Wielinski served as MC of the event, giving those assembled the history of the founding of Bowlus. He introduced several guest speakers, including Jordie Stay, owner of Jordie’s Trail Side Cafe, Olympic boxer Duane Bobick, who grew up in Bowlus, and Mayor George Trettel. Stan also introduced the authors of Bowlus: A Pictorial History – Louis Titel, James Beniek, and Tim Jendro.
Louis Titel and Jordie Stay were instrumental in organizing the event. Jordie provided the decorations and catered the meal. Louis created a display of history items from the town (as well as bringing over his fish-filleting table and extension cord for my computer equipment). Duane Bobick and his wife set up a display of information, photos, and artifacts from Duane’s boxing days.
With help from Louis and Jordie and our research files, I created a walking tour map of Bowlus for those in attendance. You can find the walking tour document at this link:
http://www.morrisoncountyhistory.org/bowluswalkingtour.pdf
Feel free to print a copy (legal-sized paper) and take a walk through Bowlus, where the citizens are happy to entertain visitors.
Thanks to everyone who assisted with and attended Bowlus Pride!
-Mary
Is there a written copy of the speech given on “history of the founding of Bowlus”? Obviously, I am one of the Bowlus’ family. I have been working on stories, genealogy, and records pertaining to our family. I would love to get a copy of the speech/presentatio.. Also, what is/was the Bowlus’ brick?
Regards, Dale R. Bowlus of Havre de Grace, Maryland
Hi, Rick – Unfortunately, there is no written copy of the speech that was given on Bowlus back in 2010.
As for Bowlus brick, Morrison County had a number of brick manufacturing facilities in the late 1800s to early 1900s. We had a great soil full of clay for it on the west side of the Mississippi River. Bowlus had a brickyard, so Bowlus brick was made there.
Mary Warner
Executive Director
Are there any “Bowlus” bricks left? I’d love to preserve one in the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum in Fremont, Ohio. President Hayes was fascinated in family history and genealogy. Parts of the Bowlus family information is being archived there and one of the bricks would be a wonderful story for future generations. Thank you.