Choice, MN
Fillmore County

1966 Article

They Still Choose Choice

Sunday, June 5, 1966, Winona Sunday News
By BURR GRISWOLD, Sunday News Correspondent

CHOICE, Minn. - More than a century ago, early immigrants settled in a tiny little valley between the steep hills characterizing much of this area of Minnesota, and called it Choice.

Either they found it a choice place to live or several names were suggested, and their lader [leader] said, "Take your choice."

THEY DID choose "Choice," and the folks who live there now still find Choice a choice place to live; they like it, and are very proud of its present. It's in an unusual setting: The steep approach from one hill, where you have to slow to 20 miles an hour, then the narrow ravine that is the unincorporated village, then another hill.

The scenery at Choice itself is not only picturesque, but for persons who like to hike up a hill or two, there's more around.

Along the most picturesque are the "Cabbage Rocks" about 11/4 miles northwest of Choice in Preble Township. Five heads of the strange formations looking like cabbage heads are perched on a bluff towering above the South Fork of the Root River.

They'd be one of the showplaces of Southeastern Minnesota if they weren't almost inaccessible because of trees now, but years ago they were a popular place to have your picture taken. One of the residents of Choice preserved one of those pictures to show how they could become a tourist attraction once again.

ANOTHER attraction a mile or so west of Choice is a grist and flour mill known as the South Fork Valley Mill. It takes some climbing to get there, too, but standing in a state of ruin is the building constructed by Ole Severson, who, with his natural ability, built all his own parts for the machinery. Some of its old millstones may be found in Sylvan Park at Lanesboro.

A telephone exchange was once operated at the Choice store that had as many as nine direct lines to various towns in the surrounding area. Mrs. Clifford Larson, still living at Choice, says there were six lines still operating when she and her husband took over the store in 1934: Two lines each to Mabel and Rushford area and one each to Lanesboro and Highland.

Choice is on Highway 43, 11 miles south of Rushford and 11 miles north of Mabel. The 10 residents find it as quiet and peaceful as the flow of the Root's South Fork nearby, but there have been times when the tree studded bluffs and limestone formations of various descriptions towering above saw mighty floods on the quiet stream.

NORWEGIANS were attracted to this is spot. Among the early settlers were Ole Richardson, Ole Ingeleson, Simon Johnson,: Ole Severson, Peter Paulson. Iver Iverson Nordgaard, Christian Anfinson, Jewell Dorseth, Hellick Larson Aygarn, John Larson, Erick Tomte, Embric Rostvold and Herman Dahl.

Richardson, born in Agvaldsnes, Norway, in 1829, married Christine Larson in 1855 and the following year came to the U.S., settling in La Salle County, Ill. Five years later he selected a farm of 320 acres at Choice, part of which today is owned by his grandson, Myron Larson.

The first store was built at the crossroads at the bottom of; the hill, south of Mrs. Laura Aygarn's present residence. A depression in the earth where it stood still may be seen. Mulgard and Suckson built it, but the date has been lost. Swen Thompson, father of Archie, Thompson, Rochester, bought. the business in 1888 and became the first postmaster.

THE MAIL was delivered to Choice from Bratsberg by Mikkel Kulseth in a two-wheel cart drawn by a horse. The last proprietors of this store were Joseph and John Elefson.

Richardson in 1899 built a large frame store on the northwest comer of the crossroads. His son, Richard, was put in charge and Olaf Anderson was hired as clerk. Later owners were Henry Bachman, Oscar, Peterson, Henry Dahl, Gerhard Eiken and Carl Hellerud. The post office, which was transferred here, was discontinued while the two latter operated the business. Hellerud being the last postmaster. Today mail is delivered on Route 2 out of Mabel.

Olaf Anderson then operated the store 23 years before selling to the Clifford Larsons.

On Dec. 21, 1945, the store which had so long catered to the wants of the people in the community was reduced to rubble by fire. Not to be defeated, the Larsons moved two large grain storage buildngs [buildings] to the site and converted them into a new store. Finally in 1946, after being in business 30 years, the Larsons closed the doors and moved to a farm north of the village.

For years wives of the farmers could be seen walking along the dirt roads, decked out in sun bonnets or on a cool day, a shoulder shawl, as they made their way to the store, carrying a basket of eggs to trade for groceries.

ALTHOUGH a tiny village, there was plenty of entertainment in Choice, like the 4th of July celebration on the Ingleson picnic grounds in 1897.

A hand-operated merry-go-round was brought in from Rushford for the occasion. Forty people could ride at one time. The Highland Comet Band gave a concert. Henderickson's orchestra played for the bowery dance which started at 7 p.m.,Martin and Magus Aygarn gave orations. and there were foot races and a hall game.

Each summer caravans of wagons moved into the valley as medicine showmen set up, their tents for a week or so of entertainment. Mrs. Clara Anderson still has a piece of silverware she won at one of these shows

A concert band with approximately 20 members was organized, with J. 0. Bachman of Mabel as director. They practiced each week in the old schoolhouse and furnished music for festive occasions.

Choice boasted a baseball team, known as the Indians, in about 1912. They claimed to be almost unbeatable. Players Carl Peterson, Richard Anfinson, Morrel Wicks, Hans Hanson, Gerhard and Alvin Eiken, Oscar Peterson, and James and Elmer Vigeland.

SCHOOL District No. 7 was organized in 1863. The following year a log school was built. Miss Anna Hall was the first teacher. Later a frame school was built across the road south of the present Cyrus Hanson farm. The doors closed when the district consolidated with Rushford in 1953. Johanna Johnson, Lanesboro, was the last ,teacher. The building was moved to a farm near Newburg and now serves as a dwelling. Lewis Aygarn was district clerk many years.

During the pastorate of the Rev A 0 Ulland at the Newburg Methodist Church, a chapel was built at Choice In 1874. Richardson gave the land, across the road from the Myron Larson residence. Christian Anderson had the contract for its construction.

Regular services were conducted until the spring of 1952, when the chapel was sold and finally razed. The Rev. A. R. Kottke was the last minister. Members transferred to other area churches.

AT THE turn of the century, Normanna Creamery was organized by a Minneapolis man. Otto Bach was the first buttermaker, Later Herman Bach, Gerhard Eiken and C. J. Hellerud owned it as a partnership. Louis Torgerson was the last owner and Chris Dragvold the last buttermaker. Among those hauling cream to the creamery were Ed Hagen, Henry Hauge, Oliver Larson, Carl Peterson and Adolph Olson, who used a team of mules.

Mrs. Clara Anderson, 84, is the oldest resident. A widow she lives alone in her home beside the old creamery. As Clara Dahl she was born May 26, 1881, on a farm just south of Choice to Herman and Caroline Richardson Dahl. She as [has] spent most of her life here. With a twinkle in her eye, she said, "Choice was a lively place years ago. Every night 35 to 40 people would congregate at the store to discuss current events, play cards or just visit. People were more content in those days.["]

IN ADDITION to Mrs. Anderson, the other residents of Choice are Mrs. Laura Aygarn and son Warren, Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Hanson and son Merlin, John Stennes, Mr. and Mrs. Myron Larson, and Henry Vitse.

[pictures]

CABBAGE ROCK There are five of these strange formations on a ridge in Preble Township near Choice. They overlook the South Fork of the Root River. You can't get close enough to take a picture like this now, it's said, but the Cabbage Rocks could be an outstanding Southeastern Minnesota tourist attraction. The state now owns the land; prior to that Sidney Topness was the owner.

AN OLD T1MER This is how Choice looked in 1910. The road leading to the right is present Highway 41. Buildings from left are the Eiken-Hellerud store and post office and the Carl Hellerud and Gerhard Eiken residences. Horses and buggies furnished transportation then, cars hadn't reached this area. Note the towering tree-studded bluff in the background, with limestone formations. These don't change.

CHOICE SCHOOL . . . It was sold and razed after District 7 consolidated with Rushford. It's now in the Newburg area and used as a dwelling.

METHODIST CHURCH, CHOICE Built in 1874, It was razed in 1952.

CHOICE CREAMERY . . . It was called Normanna Creamery when it was built at the turn of the century. Operations have ceased.

Mrs. Anderson