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Guide to the Salzer Summer Home Scrapbooks, 1897-1898 MSS 005

Guide to the Salzer Summer Home Scrapbooks, 1897-1898

MSS 005

Summary Information

Abstract
Two scrapbooks, 1897-1898, of the Salzer family cottage "Ferndale" in Minnesota. The Salzer family lived in La Crosse, Wisconsin. These scrapbooks are thought to have been compiled by Ben Hess and Frank Burgess at the La Crosse Tribune offices. The scrapbooks contain original prose and snapshots of summer campers at Ferndale.
Collection Title
Salzer Summer Home Scrapbooks
Date of Materials
1897-1898
Creator
Salter family
Call Number
MSS 005
Amount
0.8 cubic feet
Physical Description
1 flat box
Language of Materials
English
Repository
La Crosse Public Library Archives

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Salzer Summer Home Scrapbooks, MSS 005, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI

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Historical Note

In 1884, the Reverend John A. Salzer (1823-1892), a pioneer Methodist preacher and founder of the Salzer Seed Company, purchased Ferndale as a summer camping ground, although he and his family may have camped at that site in Minnesota for some years before its purchase. Many guests came to visit and the primitive cabin was improved upon each year. Three years after the Reverend Salzer's death, the summer cottage was sold to a son, John P. Salzer, in 1895. Mrs. John P. Salzer maintained and enlarged the summer hospitality at Ferndale. Many picnics and camping gatherings were held at Ferndale.

Ferndale was sold to Mrs. Bernard Mast sometime after 1929, and by 1957 Ferndale was slated to be destroyed due to expansion of U.S. Highway 61. At that time it was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Giles R. Leonard of La Crosse.

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Scope and Contents

These two scrapbooks, which were given to Mary Miller as a souvenir of Ferndale, contain original prose and amateur snapshots taken during the summers of 1897 and 1898. In addition to the scrapbooks, Catherine Task Johnson, donor of the scrapbooks and niece of Mary Miller, has written a three paged history of her recollections of Ferndale.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

La Crosse Public Library Archives 1989 June

800 Main St.
La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
(608) 789-7136
archives@lacrosselibrary.org

Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for patron use.

Acquisitions Information

Donated by Catherine L. Johnson, May 11, 1989 (Accession No. 1989.004)

Processing Information

Processed by Anita Taylor Doering, June 1989.

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Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

  • Ferndale (Cottage).

Family Name(s)

  • Salter family
  • Salzer family

Geographic Name(s)

  • Minnesota--Social life and customs

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OCLC Number

47227007

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Collection Inventory

Box Folder

Memories of Ferndale by Catherine Rask Johnson 

1 1

Ferndale scrapbooks, 1897-1898 

1 2-3