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BIRD ISLAND MUST WIN! DELEUDA EST OLIVIA! published in the Renville County Union newspaper on October 5, 1900.

Editor’s Note: Deleuda est Olivia translation: Olivia must be destroyed! The Renville County Union was published in Bird Island and would later on November 20, 1903, would be named the Bird Island Union. To the People of Renville… Read More

American Legion and Its Purposes published in the Franklin Tribune September 18, 1919

Object of Soldier Organization is to Foster Americanism and Support Constitution. During the past few weeks, there has been some talk of organizing a post of the American Legion at Franklin but no action has so far been… Read More

We NEED Renville County School Yearbooks (Annuals)! UPDATED 3/13/2026

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.

Tornado published in the Bird Island Blizzard July 21, 1881

Very, fortunately, we escaped the tornado of last Friday, although one of the hardest storms that we have ever had, accompanied by rain and hail struck this place on that day at about 3 o’clock P.M., lasting about… Read More

Charles A Heins, Olivia Times July 8, 1954

Funeral at Olivia Today For C. A. Heins Funeral services were held at 2:30 o’clock this Thursday afternoon at the Methodist church in Olivia for Chas. A. Heins, 80, of St. Paul and a well known former resident… Read More

James Marion Peckinpaugh, The Leader Post, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada May 17, 1939

J. M. Peckinpaugh Dies at Midale Midale – There passed away at his home in Midale James Peckinpaugh, one of the oldest and best-loved residents of Midale. James Marion Peckinpaugh was born Nov. 24, 1857, at Leavenworth, Indiana…. Read More

Samuel R Miller, Olivia Times, January 18, 1931

Capt. Samuel R. Miller, Aged 90, Died Monday, Funeral Rites Today War Veteran and Pioneer Attorney Dead Olivia’s Oldest and an Esteemed Citizen Answers Last Bugle Call on January 12th S. R. Miller, Olivia’s oldest and an esteemed… Read More

Neuenburg Rites A Sad Occasion, Olivia Times, September 4, 1919

Last Obsequies for Beloved Olivia Mayor Held Thursday. Large Crowds Attends. The funeral of the late Henry H. Neuenburg, mayor of Olivia and one of the best-loved citizens of this county, was held from the home here last… Read More

Fairfax Branch of the Red Cross taken from the book “Renville County in World War I: 1917, 1918, 1919” published by the Olivia Times in 1920

OfficersChairman: Wm. FissVice-Chairman: Dr. A.M. CrandallSecretary: Mrs. Ellen RussellTreasurer: Mrs. Emily F. Sell The Fairfax Branch was organized on June 18, 1917. Its activities covered a large field, the townships of Cairo, Wellington, and Camp being within its… Read More

Mayor H.H. Neuenburg Answers Death Angel’s Sudden Summons, Olivia Times August 28, 1919

Olivia in Mourning Over the Death of its Prominent and Beloved Citizen. Was Spanish War Veteran and Major in National Guard. Funeral Today From Home. Henry H. Neuenburg, major of Olivia and beloved citizen is dead. The call… Read More