local lore

Local Lore: City’s jail history is one of tragedy, renewal

May 13, 2026

This week’s article is short and sweet. Evidence of Lake City’s first jail is apparent throughout several pre-1880 newspaper issues noting when criminals were committed there for miscellaneous crimes. It can also be found on old fire insurance maps starting in 1891, next to the “Town Hall” and...

Local Lore: Medical doctors of Lake City

May 6, 2026

According to a souvenir booklet that was a supplement to The Lake City Graphic in 1939 for the dedication of the Lake City Municipal Hospital, there were roughly 30-35 physicians who practiced in Lake City before WWII, and according to Dr. Douglas Pflaum, around another 30 have practiced here...

Local Lore: Lake City’s medical facilities

Apr 29, 2026

Multiple readers have suggested I write about Lake City medical history. I’ve held off doing it until now because there is a lot of information available. With that said, this topic will once again be split into sections over the course of a few weeks, starting with our town’s clinics and...

Local Lore: The Jewelry Store

Apr 22, 2026

For over 140 years, if you asked someone in Lake City for directions to a jewelry store, they would most likely point you to the same place: 109 E. Center St. Known today as Johnson Jewelers, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this week (see related story), this establishment has only gone...

Local Lore: For its time, the Hotel Lyon was ‘first class’

Apr 15, 2026

Considered another of Lake City’s lost resources, the historic Hotel Lyon can trace its foundations back to one of the very first hotels constructed here. Initially known as the American House, this small hotel was built sometime between 1854 and 1856 before being acquired later by one of Lake...

The Hanisch Opera House

Apr 8, 2026

The Hanisch Opera House is one of Lake City’s few early buildings left standing today. Located at the corner of Main (now Lakeshore Drive) and Center Street, it was considered at the height of its time to be residents’ favorite social center. Originally, it was built as a dry goods store for...

Lake City Marina’s evolution from a pond to the river’s largest municipal marina

Apr 1, 2026

With the arrival of barges traveling up and down the river comes the excitement of spring/summer and the anticipation of getting back out on the lake in the family boat. For many of us and tourists from all over, basking in the Minnesota sun and enjoying the Lake Pepin breeze begins with a visit...

Lake City’s public libraries

Mar 25, 2026

Fun fact, I used to work at the Lake City Public Library as a library assistant during my final years of high school. It quickly became one of my favorite places to work growing up, and to this day I miss sorting and shelving books there. We’re incredibly lucky to have such a beautiful facility,...

Local Lore: Charles C. Miller, the street sweeper

Mar 18, 2026

Another industry that has changed a lot over the years is that of the streetsweeper. Charles C. Miller (1887-1963) took care of Lake City’s streets for 14 years from 1946-1960, making him 59 years old when he started. His job may have been out of sight and out of mind for most, but it was one that...

Local Lore: Sarah the Lamplighter

Mar 11, 2026

I greatly appreciate how many of you have reached out with article ideas, stories, extra information, and kind words since I started this column. It has been a delight researching our archives, books, and the internet to answer your questions and tell the stories of the local area. Many of the...