The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-01-10
ANOKA.
LOCATION.

some 30 miles above St. Paul, ON the Mis-
sissippi River, at the mouth of Rum River.
It's position is certainly favorable to the
growth of q large and thriving place, and
possessing, as it does, the facilities of steam
boat communication, another season may be
expected to double its present population.
The agricultural country around it is OF a
most excellent quality, and already extern
sive farms have been put under first-rate
cultivation. This place is the outlet to all
the vast numbering interests of the Rum
River that seek market below.
POPULATION.
The town has population of between
four and five hundred, representing nearly
all parts of the Union. Sobriety, industry,
and intelligence characterize them in re-
markable degree.
EDUCATIONAL.
The Anoka School District contains GO
scholars between the ages Of four and TWEEN
ty-one of whom over so are in regular at
tendance at school. A competent teacher
has been provided, under whose care first
class system of education is rapidly devel-
oping, and another season will witness the
erection of large and comfortable school
house.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The Methodists, Baptists and Congrega-
tionalists 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 SER
vices.
There are now upwards of 70 buildings in
the place, some of them costing from three
thousand to five thousand dollars. The
style of architecture, as general thing, is
far in advance of that usually seen in new
country.
Two we'll kept hotels minister to the con-
venience and comfort of the travelling public,
both of which are constantly crowded with
guests. A third one will be erected early
next season, when greatly increased facili-
ties in this respect will be afforded. a
WATER POWER. 't
The water power is immense, and has al
ready been converted into practical use, by
the construction of dam across Rum River,
at cost of $4,000, and the erection of an
extensive Touring mill, grinding on an aver
ago six thousand bushels per month. and
is probably one of the very best in the Ter
rtory. Its cost was $4,000, and is fur
nished with all the most approved appliances
for cleansing and grinding grain. Flour from
this mill is inferior to none in the Territory
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., Building material being
thus rendered cheap and abundant, who can
doubt the rapid growth of the place
| MERCANTILE.
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
Territory that can claim greater manufactu-
ring facilities than this thriving little town.
Here we find an extensive establishment for
the manufacture Of all kinds of agricultural
implements, two for the manufacture Of
door, sash and window blinds one for tin
and sheet iron and in a few weeks there
will be put in operation the first establish
ment in the Territory for the manufacture oil
friction matches. In this connection it may
also be mentioned that the manufacture Of
brick will constitute an important branch Of
of the industry Of the place next season. q
MECHANICS.
Two shoe shops, employing ten or twelve
workmen, are constantly overrun with W. rk
work, and a third shop, we'll stocked with
both materials and workmen, would do {
thriving business. Two blacksmith shops
one with three and the other with two
: FORCES, constantly g blowing and striking,
are unable to meet the great demand in this
4 line Of business. Several good carpenters
live in the place, none of whom are ever ou
of employment, and several additional one
, could find abundance to do. f~t'
LOSSES.
This little town that now presents i'm
proyements surpassed by scarcely any place
in the Territory, has also been peculiarly un
E fortunate. The proprietors being unacquaint
, ed with water power, procured the construc
, ton of timber dam, at cost of $4,000
considerable portion of which went out a
the first freshet and was repaired at cos
of $4,000. Shortly after this misfortune t,
the dam, Touring mill, erected at cost o
81 $780, together with 1000 bushels O
wheat and 500 of corn, valued at $500, wa
destroyed by fire. On the foundation O
this the large and costly one mentioned above
r was soon erected. The last spring freshe
5 carried off the remainder of the old timber
!, dam, but at an expenditure of So, 1000 NOR,
one has been rebuilt that will bid defiance t.
the foods
u Within the past summer a hotel, in on,
of the rooms of which store was kept, was