441 North Park Drive, Morton, MN 56270 info@renvillecountyhistory.com 507.697.6147

Preserving Renville County’s History since 1940!

The Renville County Historical Society seeks donations for their Shelving and Archival Boxes Fund to preserve local history. They utilize acid-free archival boxes from Gaylord, ensuring long-term preservation. Additionally, specific shelving and everyday supplies are needed for museum operations. Donations and purchases can be made via specified links or checks.

DARING BURGLARY: Safe in W.F. Stute’s Saloon Blown Open and $51 in Cash Stolen From It

This is a newspaper clipping found today tucked in the Cram’s Unrivaled Family Atlas of the World published in 1891. The clipping has written on in pencil March 21, 1922. There was no indication of what newspaper it… Read More

Basketball Results Prior to 1960

Found in the scrapbook for the 1960-1961 Danube Hawks basketball, belonging to Rod Black was a none dated clipping listing the basketball results from 1931-1959. Year —- Champion —– Runnerup 1931 Glencoe Brownton1932 Buffalo Lake Glencoe1933 Brownton Norwood1934… Read More

We NEED Renville County School Yearbooks (Annuals)! UPDATED 1/06/2026

The Renville County Historical Society needs your help to add to the Research Library’s Yearbook Collection. Yearbooks, platbooks, and phonebooks are key pieces of preserving the history of who lived in the area and when.

Freberg Four Row Corn Combine

The following is an excerpt from the 1949 Hector Mirror: Another step in modernizing the nation’s agricultural industry has been begun with the building of a four-row corn combine by J.R. Dvorak, owner of the Dvorak Machine Shop… Read More

George Paul Arlt, Bird Island Union, 12-12-1918

A Soldier’s Sacrifice George Paul Arlt Dies In France A telegram from the Adjutant General received Dec. 10, conveyed to Mr. and Mrs. Christ Arlt of Hector gave the sad news that their son, Geo Paul had been… Read More

War Fund Campaign, Bird Island Union, 12-12-1918

Report by Districts We give below a synopsis of the report of Renville County’s United War Fund Campaign. G. O. Bergan, Captain Sacred Heart District, cash $6084.50, pledged $4176.25, allotment $10,224.00 subscribed $10,260.75. Dr. A. M. Erickson, Captain… Read More

Letter From Harry E McKibben, Hector Mirror, 11-28-1918

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Whitney: Your letter received describing your trip to Pine City; how I would like to have been along. I am returning the picture of the fawn immediately, as it’s so easy to loose… Read More

Hector Mirror November 14, 1918, Charles Leroy Nelson

Here are two letters addressed to Mr. Nelson regarding the death of his son, Charles Leroy Nelson. U.S.S. Oklahoma, Marine Detachment October 22, 1918 My dear Mr. Nelson: Please pardon the liberty we take in sending this letter… Read More

Letter From Carl Potter, Hector Mirror, 11-14-1918

Somewhere in France, Sunday, Sept. 19, 1918 My dear mother, I will write a few lines to you and put it in my pocket as I don’t expect to get it mailed until after we go over the… Read More