Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1857-01-17
AN0KA.
LOCATION,

This new and busy little town is situated seEes
80 miles above St. Paul, on the Mississippi Riv-
er, at the mouth of Rum River. Its position is
certainly favorable to the growth of large and
| thriving place, and possessing, as it does, the
facilities Of steamboat 2smtnRpication, another
season may be expected to double its present pop.
ulation. The agricultural country around il
is of most excellent quality, aud already exten-
sive farms have been put under krst-rate Guilt
walton. This place is the outlet to all the vast
numbering interests of the Rum River that seek
a market below.
POPULATION.
The town has q population of between four and
FIVE hundred, representing nearly all parts of
the Union. Sobriety, industry and intelligence
characterize them in an most remarkable de-
gree.
EDUCATIONAL.
The Anoka School District contains sixty schol-
ars between the ages of four and twenty-one, O..
whom over fifty are in regular attendance at
school. a competent teacher has been provided,
under whose care a first class system of education
is rapidly developing, and another season will
witness the erection Of large and comfortable
school.house.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 81
The Methodists, Baptists, and Congregational
lists, each have an organized society, and the two
latter will erect churches early next spring. At
present they alternate in the use of the school
house for devotional services.
BUILDINGS.
There are now upwards of 70 buildings in the
place, some of them costing from three thousand
to five thousand dollars. The style of architec-
ture, as a general, thing, is far in advance of
that generally seen in new country.
HOTELS.
Two we'll kept hotels minister to the convent.
ence and comfort of the travelling public, both of
which arc constantly crowded with guests. A
third one will be erected early next season, when
greatly increased facilities in this respect will be
afforded.
The water poweris immense, and has already
been converted into practical use, by the con-
struction of dam across Rum River at a cost of
$4,000, and the erection of an extensive -four
ing mill, grinding on average six thousand
bushels per month. and is probably one of the
very best in the Territory. Its cost was $4,000
and is furnished with all the most improved ap
plances for cleansing and grinding corn. Flour
from this mill is inferior to none in the Terrific
~.
SAW MILLS.
Three first class saw mills, two steam and one
water-power, are constantly saving, and the
numbering market is well supplied at cheap rates.
Bulldog material being thus rendered cheap and
abundant, who can doubt the rapid growth of
the place?
Three dry-goods, two hardware, one clothing
and one grocery store make up the full number
of mercantile firms. Double the number would
do lucrative business.
MANUFACTURING.
There are indeed few, if any points in the Ter
ritory that can claim greater manufacturing ia
eilities than this thriving little town. Here we
find IN extensive establishment for the manufac-
ture Of al kinds of agricultural implements, two
for tho manufacture of door, sash and window
blinds; one for tin and sheet iron; and in few
weeks there will be put In operation the first es-
tablishment in the Territory for the manufacture
of friction matches. In this connection il NAV
also be mentioned that the manufacture Of brick
will constitute an important branch Of the in
dustry of the place next season. siS.s
MECHANICS.
Two shoe shops, employing ten or twelve
workmen, are constantly overrun with work, and
third shop, we'll stocked with both materials
and worknen, would do tAxiIiag business.