DCHS kicks off new year by jumping into fire

Beginning what promises to be another busy year, the Douglas County Historical Society is jumping right into the fire with its next History Sunday.

Capt. David Johnson of the Superior Fire Department presents: “Fires of Tower Avenue” at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Johnson is a lifelong Douglas County resident who moved into Superior in 1987. His career in firefighting started in 1989 when he joined the Town of Superior Volunteer Fire Department. In 1992, he joined the fire department in the city of Superior. But his interest in local history started much earlier, back in the early 1980s when he met his wife Jill while she was working as a tour guide on the S.S. Meteor.

The last two History Sundays of the season will also complement DCHS’ exhibit, “Open ‘til 9:00: Thursday Nights on Tower,” in reference to Superior’s downtown.

On Feb. 12, former Superior resident Mary Cadigan Murphy, will travel back from Texas to present a costumed history and interpretation of Mrs. Morgan (Betty Beck) Murphy, president of the Evening Telegram in the 1970s. On March 11, Aaron Isaacs of the Minnesota Streetcar Museum and author of the new book, Twin Ports by Trolley will talk about traveling to downtown by trolley.

History Sundays begin at 2 p.m. at the DCHS building, 1101 John Ave. Admission is $3 for non-members. Refreshments are served.

Also in March DCHS History Theatre presents Waiting for MacArthur, a nod to Women’s History Month. The play by Paullette MacDougal is set on Corregidor Island in early 1942, where General Douglas MacArthur left hospital personnel in an underground tunnel during daily bombardments, telling them to “keep the flag flying. I shall return.” The account of those years is told through letters of an army nurse to people back home. The play will run March 2-4.

December’s Adopt-A-Day was given by Teddie Meronek when she supported her favorite event at DCHS, the 1943 USO Radio Show, which honors Pearl Harbor Day. For $100, you too can adopt a day at DCHS in honor or in memory of someone or an event while helping DCHS with the cost of operating expenses.

A big thanks goes to USO show major sponsor, National Bank of Commerce, as well as other loyal sponsors, Kari Toyota, Fagerlin Fuel, Larson Chevrolet and Superior Water, Light & Power. These local businesses, which were around before 1943, are much appreciated for their sense of community spirit.

By next December, in time for the fifth annual USO show, the historical society’s building will be accessible to the entire community. Members of DCHS are thankful and excited by news members of the city council approved the recommendation to award DCHS with a City Development Block Grant to fund an elevator lift and accessible restroom.

DCHS welcomes the busy year ahead.

Tags: news, business, money