Inside a large tent, tables held interesting historical and fun memorabilia.

Included in the memorabilia was a personal collection of over 100 “Forestburg” labeled business promotional giveaway items. A detailed plat of a Forestburg cemetery was of particular interest to many.  The Ruskin Park roadside sign, big band posters, pictures and copies of newspaper memorial editions of the Park brought back many memories of good times at the Park.  Forestburg School items included a 1924 orange sweater, a 1953 athletic jacket and a 1927 felt pillow, all in mint condition.

Examining Forestburg school annuals and school newspapers (including 1919 -1920 editions), it was learned that the Buccaneers were once called Pirates.

LaMoine Torgerson supplied the tent, and Mike and Joe Tlustos supplied their trailer for even more displays.

What was a special delight were the many conversations the historical items generated with the guests who visited the tent. Plans are already being discussed regarding future events.                                                   

For more information about the efforts to preserve Forestburg area history, contact Curt Talley at 605-999-3989.

…See pictures in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal!

Does the Forestburg area have enough interest in preserving its unique history to work toward creating an Historical Society? Are there volunteers interested in working on and supporting such a project? Are the pioneer homesteader family histories along with the Ruskin Park story, the watermelon industry, and the various county school histories worth preserving in a local museum? Could the wonderful 500-page history of Sanborn County compiled and printed in the 1960s by Mrs. Alice Mitchell Brown and Sherman S. Judy be preserved and expanded in such an effort?

In early June, a group of individuals met to discuss and explore possible interest in creating a Forestburg Historical Society. It was decided that the 2024 Melon Festival on Aug. 17 might provide a time to collect community feedback. There will be at least one if not two trailers at the site of the festival that will house a display of historic documents, pictures and artifacts in the trailer(s).  Contributions of historic articles or items to be exhibited on a one-day basis are welcome. If you would like to become involved in this effort, please contact Ron Brakke at rbrakke@brakkeconsulting.com or call Ron at 214-906-0750, Adam Alt at 605-770-8512 or altcustomfarms@yahoo.com, or Curt Talley at cltalley2011@gmail.com or at 605-996-7117.