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Published January 07, 2011, 07:00 AM

History Sunday winter season starts with ‘Mr. Gordon’s Neighborhood’

With the holidays over, it is nice to resume a slower pace but once in a while it’s nice to get out and connect with the rest of the community. A great way to spend an afternoon is to attend a DCHS History Sunday.

  • The Neighborhood
    • image
    Ron Seningen with his wife, Susan Candis, who’s grandfather, Dale Benson told stories at his cabin’s fireplace about “the neighborhood,” which inspired Ron to write “Mr. Gordon’s Neighborhood” for Gordon’s sesquicentennial. (Submitted photo)

With the holidays over, it is nice to resume a slower pace but once in a while it’s nice to get out and connect with the rest of the community.

A great way to spend an afternoon is to attend a DCHS History Sunday.

The winter series starts out with a visit to “Mr. Gordon’s Neighborhood.” On Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. Ron Seningen from the Gordon Historical Society will talk about his book by that name, which was written for the 2010 sesquicentennial of Gordon.

With French-Canadian and Chippewa parents, Antoine Gordon lived at both a geographic and cultural crossroads, and in 1860, he built a trading post at a river and trail intersection known today as Gordon, Wis.

“Mr. Gordon’s Neighborhood” was inspired by stories told by Seningen’s wife’s grandfather, Dale Benson, who spoke of Gordon’s early days and inhabitants, the Sioux and Chippewa and the French and British explorers. He also talked about the fur trade, settlers, logging and railroads and how a beautiful vacation-land developed.

Seningen’s book will be available for sale after the program.

Coming up on Feb. 13 the DCHS History Sunday series continues with “Zipcode 548**: Vintage Postcards of Douglas County Waterfront and Riverways” and on March 13, “A History of Superior’s Beverage Industry,” by Ken Clark of Leamon Mercantile Company.

History Sundays are held at the Douglas County Historical Society, 1101 John Ave beginning at 2:00 p.m. Refreshments are always served.

During the winter months, DCHS members will be working on the next exhibit, “Thursdays Open ‘til 9”, a look at Superior’s vibrant downtown of the past. If you have any information, photos or artifacts, please call DCHS at (715) 392-8449, email dchs@douglashistory.org or stop in.

The Douglas County Historical Society is located at 1101 John Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

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