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Guide to the Salzer Summer Home Scrapbooks, 1897-1898
MSS 005
Table of Contents
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
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.
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.
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.
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- Ferndale (Cottage).
Family Name(s)
- Salter family
- Salzer family
Geographic Name(s)
- Minnesota--Social life and customs
OCLC Number
47227007
Collection Inventory
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Memories of Ferndale by Catherine Rask Johnson |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Ferndale scrapbooks, 1897-1898 |
1 | 2-3 | ||