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December 2002, a fine man, Craig Sellman, from Shafer passed away. I attended the visitation at Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindström. As I walked into the room, I felt great sadness and loss. Our family has known the Sellmans for over 60 years. I was amazed to see so many “Shaferites” there––all at the same time. The Andersons, Petersons, Bourasas, Runebergs, Nelsons, Glennas, Jacksons, Hawkinsons, Videens, Holmquists, Shogrens, Johnsons, Barotts, Holms, Christensens, Goransons, Harms, Sandbergs, Waldemars, Andrews, and the Sellmans. The entire room was filled with Shafer residents. I knew most of the people––some I had not seen since I was a little girl. I felt like I was frozen in time --- in a slow-motion dream. The room was filled with conversation, tears and memories. At one point, I just looked around the room and listened to the talk. I realized how important the old family bonds are in this small town.

As I drove home, the song “Small Town” by John Melencamp came on the radio. The words were very appropriate for the moment.

As I continued on my drive through Shafer, I realized something special had just happened. I had just been to a “Shafer Reunion” of some sorts. Craig Sellman was honored that evening in a special way. Then, a flash of historical information ran through my mind. I knew that Shafer’s 150th Anniversary year was coming soon, but I wasn’t sure. Had we missed it? I needed to check the facts. At home, I found our “Shafer: Swamp to Village” book by Vivian Fry Myers, and looked up the historical information. I was right, the upcoming 150th Anniversary Year was 2003. I believe in Divine Intervention, and I truly know that I was in the right place at the right time that night. Little did I know that Craig’s death would lead to this year’s Shafer Heritage Dagen 150th Anniversary.

I contacted the Shafer City Council and asked permission to organize a 150th celebration and a 150th Committee to help with the plans. Since February, we have been working very hard to coordinate a number of events and special historical venues to celebrate Shafer’s heritage. One major event will be Friday, October 4, 5 p.m., at the Jane and Vincent Videen farm (Tomte Bo). We’re calling it the “Settlers Picnic” Shafer Reunion. Of course, we want all Shaferites to attend (new and old residents), but we invite everyone to come and help us celebrate at this special evening. We’ll have the blue grass band “True North”, an historical “Jacob Shafer Reenactment” and good old-fashioned fun. Oh yes, there will be much conversation too.

Please bring your own picnic dinner/picnic baskets, utensils, blankets and lawn chairs. We will have soft drinks provided by Girl Scout Troop #1881, and a large tent provided by Marlen and Frank Messin, Plastic Products, Lindström. We hope you will attend one or all three days of Shafer Heritage Dagen. The history of this small town is important. (Note: Shafer Township is 150 years old in 2003, but we are also celebrating the City of Shafer with this special event.

Now more information about the upcoming events and 150th celebration. Did you know that Shafer was originally a part of Taylors Falls territory? In W.H.C. Folsom’s book, Fifty Years in the Northwest, (published 1888) we learn the following:

The time is 1849, the place is Shafer Minnesota, when Minnesota became a territory. The land in all directions was heavily timbered, with a generous sprinkling of marshlands and meadows. Two creeks drained this area, Lawrence Creek, and Dry Creek. The Shafer Township and town site were very swampy. In brief we read: “A Swedish colony settled in Shafer Township area in 1853. Some of the families were Peter Wyckland, Andros Anderson, Eric Byland, Tuver Waldemarson and others. The railroad station in the southwest quarter of section 32 took the name of Shafer, derived, together with the name of the township from:

JACOB SHAFER, who as early as 1847, cut hay in sections four and five. He seemed to have been in no sense worthy of the honor conferred upon him, as he was a transient inhabitant, and disappeared in 1849, no one knew where.”

And from the April 25, 1873 Taylors Falls Journal, we read:

How the township got the name. Many of our readers are not yet aware the name of the township of Taylors Falls has been changed to that of Shafer. It has always been a source of trouble in writing legal and other papers of the village and township bearing the same name. It was therefore decided to change the name of the township. In casting about the proper name, it fell to the lot of Oscar Roos to suggest the name, which was adopted. As there was no prominent body of water or other more notable features in its limits, he thought it should derive its name from Shafer Meadows which is extended nearly its entire length and was known by that name to nearly all the residents of the county. The meadow got the name from a man named SHAFER, who resided nearby when this section was sparsely settled and the government road from Stillwater to Lake Superior ran in that direction.

Now you know how Shafer was named. Please purchase our 150th Events Highlight Booklet ($1 each) at local businesses and The Chisago Country Press office. The booklet has the specific details (times and locations) for each event and a special 150th Souvenir Magnet. (Proceeds to the Shafer Heritage Dagen Fund.)

150th Shafer Heritage Dagen Events

Friday, October 3

•Countryside Golf Course “Best Ball Tournament” 34491 Redwing Avenue

•150th Anniversary Commemorate Postage Stamp Cancellation - Shafer Post Office

•Jacob Peterson House Tour - built in 1900 (proceeds to Shafer Heritage Dagen Fund)

•Shafer Historical Exhibits in the Old Shafer City Hall (Redwing Avenue)

•Swedish Immigrant Bike Trail - One mile Demonstration Section Tour

•“Settler’s Picnic” Shafer Reunion for all residents and their friends (visitor’s welcome). Blue Grass Band “True North” and the Jacob Shafer Historical reenactment, Hay rides

Saturday, October 4

•4th Annual Shafer/Franconia Fire & Rescue Classic Charity Car Show

•Swedish Egg Kaffe (coffee) and Baked Goodies; Boy Scout Troop #135 brats/pop

•Shafer Historical Exhibits in the Old Shafer City Hall (Redwing Avenue)

•Pig Roast at the Shafer Saloon & Grill - Musical Entertainment on the Deck

•1923 Shafer Bank Robbery Reenactment

•Car Show Awards Ceremony

• Dedication of the NEW Shafer City Hall and Swedish Sister-City, Nöbble, Sweden

•Tractor Parade - tune up your new and old tractors! Contact Mike Olmschenk at (612) 986-2339.

•Shafer/Franconia Fire & Rescue Fall Dance in the Fire Hall - Band: “Neighberz”

Sunday, October 5

•Sunday Church Service (Swedish/English) in the Old Shafer City Hall (Redwing Avenue)

•Shafer Historical Exhibits in the Old Shafer City Hall (Redwing Avenue)

•Shafer Heritage Dagen Tractor Parade (Finalé) Parade route is marked in the Events Booklet. Come sit on a hay bale and enjoy the old-fashioned parade honoring the farmers!

So, as you can see, this sleepy little town has a great history to celebrate and the opportunity to bring people together in many ways. In this world of rushing here and there, and too many errands, it’s nice to know there’s still a small town where you can come back, just to visit with your neighbors! It’s Shafer...that’s where I come from.

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