Our research center is open
from May 1 – September 15, Tuesday
–
Friday to genealogists and researchers for a $10.00 fee. We offer an
obituary
file and
microfilmed county newspapers from 1894 to present,
hundreds of family and individual histories, numerous city and village
histories, and thousands of photographs. We also have
information
on all of the eighty-nine cemeteries in Cass County and transcriptions
of forty-four of them. We have recently compiled several new lists of
county information we have such as past
postmasters, early county divorces
and family
histories in the Longville Centennial book. Newly
available on
this site are the first 15 pages of the history of Federal Dam book
on our publications page, posted with the permission of the author.
Images of America Cass County Now Available
In 1849, the Leech Lake Agency for the Ojibwa peoples was established southwest of Agency Bay on Leech Lake. A government trail wound its way north through the wilderness from Fort Ripley to the agency. The establishment of this trail encouraged exploration and settlement of the area that became Cass County. Fur traders, explorers, and missionaries were followed by the lumber industry. The Ojibwas ceded their lands, which went up for public auction in the 1870s, and the logging companies purchased thousands of acres of these lands. By 1895, the Minnesota Logging Company was in the northern part of the county and built the Brainerd, Northern and Minnesota Railroad, which was sold to the Minnesota and International, which was the first railroad in Cass County. Small towns were platted out by town site companies and quickly settled by immigrants and others seeking new opportunities. Cass County presently has 15 villages and 50 townships. Tourism was first introduced into the county when a trainload of 300 tourists from St. Cloud arrived for a weekend of fishing on Leech Lake. Tourism is the county's number one industry today. The Cass County Historical Society has selected the best images from its extensive photographic archives and called on its historians Renee Geving and Cecelia McKeig to share some of the historical facts. This new book can be purchased via the museum for $20.
Drive In and Visit Us!
For researchers who are unable to personally visit the research center, the staff will do research for a fee. For those who desire additional family research, we can refer you to a genealogist who specializes in Cass County research. Additional information is available by phone, mail, or email.
Meetings
The Cass County Historical
Society meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Cass
County Museum. We eagerly welcome new members!
2008 Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission: Adults $4.00; Children $1.00; Family $9.00 (Group rates available with reservations)
Our newsletter, "Cass County Clippings" is available in PDF format on our Newsletter page.
Minnesota
will celebrate its Sesquicentennial
during the summer of 2008. The main events will take place in May.
Photos of the Centennial train and celebration in Cass County in 1958
may bring back memories to those who enjoyed the activities.
Click on the photo at right, the "Photos" link on the main menu or here to view.
WANTED - your photos of people, places and events of the past. Especially looking for photos of the 1958 Minnesota Centennial Celebrations in Cass County. Does anyone have photos of the Pageant that took place in June of 1958 at Pine River?
The following local history books and additional publications are available at the museum or by mail.
Still Available!
Bena - Celebrating the Centennial History
This volume covering over a century of Bena history gathered from many past and present residents is now available. It can be ordered via the museum for $20.00 plus $5.00 shipping.
Longville
Centennial History
1906-2006
This is a hardbound book is a collection of the facts and memories of this area from families, businesses, resorts, organizations, and other groups from the past 100 years of Longville and the surrounding townships. 456 pages. $35.00
A second printing is now available at the museum, at Little Apple Bookshop in Walker, Village Bookstore in Grand Rapids, and Lori's Luvs or the Pinecone Press in Longville. A list of the family surnames included in this volume is available here.