Nov 19, 2007 2:08 pm US/Central
Kandiyohi Co. To Ring In 2020 12 Years Early
WILLMAR, Minn. (AP) ―
When Minnesota celebrates its sesquicentennial next year, Kandiyohi County wants to double the fun.
The county in west-central Minnesota was actually formed in 1870, meaning its own sesquicentennial -- or 150th anniversary -- won't be until 2020. But a portion of the county existed when Minnesota achieved its statehood in 1858.
So in 2008, why not party like its 2020?
"It doesn't hurt anything to celebrate both years," said Andria Olson, curator at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society Museum. She said the county could celebrate along with the state in 2008 and then have another, larger celebration for the county's real 150th birthday, 12 years later.
Kandiyohi County did exist in 1858, though it was about half of its current size. The northern half of what now makes up the county was called Monongalia County. The two counties merged in 1870 into its present configuration of 24 townships.
There's precedent for two parties. The county marked it's 100th anniversary twice -- with a book in 1858 and a celebration in 1970.
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