On This Date in Minnesota History: April 20

April 20, 1982¹ – “This beautiful Queen Anne historic home in Stillwater was built in 1881 by William Sauntry, a local lumber baron. [A] Recreation Hall sitting directly behind the mansion, or Gymnasium as it was called back in the day, was built in 1902 in the Moorish style, and is now a separate residence. Both buildings [were placed] on the National Registry of Historic Places [on this date].

While not a pioneer of the lumber trade in Stillwater, William Sauntry learned his craft from the best, the Timber King Frederick Weyerhaeuser. Weyerhaeuser took Sauntry, who is related to Bing Crosby, under his wing, where Sauntry flourished. Sauntry directed the Ann River Logging Company, which cut most of the last logs in the St. Croix River Valley. When logging dried up, Sauntry put his money into mining on some lands he owned on the Mesabi range. Not knowing a thing about the mining business, he ended up losing what money he had earned from logging. On November 10, 1914, at the Ryan Hotel in Saint Paul, he committed suicide by shooting himself with a revolver.

The Sauntry Mansion is now run as a very successful Bed and Breakfast by the current owners.”

¹http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Register_of_Historic_Places_listings_in_Washington_County,_Minnesota

²http://www.historichomesofminnesota.com/2009/10/sauntry-mansion-is-stillwater.html

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Sept. 7, 2012, as long as acknowledgement included.  

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.

                                                         

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