This week, the story of how Horace Austin State Park, now the municipal pool and Mill Pond area, was created. From the Austin Weekly Herald on Feb. 19, 1913:

“Senator Cook on Friday introduced in the senate a bill entitled ‘An act to establish and create a public park to be known and designated “Horace Austin State Park” and authorizing the purchase and condemnation of land for park purposes.’

The land that is proposed to be used for honoring the sixth governor of the state is appropriately located here in Austin and consists of about 50 acres of land and water, lying north of the city. The proposed park will also include all of the islands. This is naturally one of the beauty spots of Southern Minnesota, but of late years has not been cared for and in places the banks have been disfigured by dumping along the shore of the stream. The bill carries with it an appropriation of $10,000.

The idea of honoring our great men began when the state laid out and beautified a park at Redwood Falls in honor of Gov. Ramsey. The idea of state parks is in keeping with the work of the national government in setting aside tracks of land, of caves, of forests and places of natural wonder, for the people of the nation.

The older states have set aside lakes, mountains and seashore as reservations for the use of the people and at the same time have named them after distinguished citizens. Minnesota is doing the right thing to get these ‘beauty spots’ when they can be secured at a low price for they will be of inestimable value to future generations.

Gov. Austin, whose memory it is proposed to honor, was the sixth governor of Minnesota, his term of office being from January 7, 1870 to January 7, 1874.”

 What’s happening at the HHH

Monday: Board of Directors at 8:30 a.m.

Tuesday: Social Concerns: The Power of Touch by Julie Champlin at 10 a.m. Register at 433-4243 by Monday, January 16; Board of Trustees at 4 p.m.

Saturday: Cooking Tips & Trends “Tour of Asian Cuisine” presented by Patrick King, as part 1 of 3-part “Passport to Flavor” classes at 10 a.m. Register through Community Ed at 460-1704.

 Coming soon to the HHH

•Austin Wedding Showcase featuring the Austin Bruins on Sunday, Jan. 29, from noon to 3 p.m. Bridal Fashion Show presented by Belles & Beaus and ViDeyo Arts at 2 p.m. Admission $3 at the door. Vendors include: Belles & Beaus, Brant Hemmingway Photography, Bursch Travel, Cedar River Strings, Daube’s Bakery, Digital Dreams Sound and Light Show, Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, City of Austin Parks, Limerock Photography, Holiday Inn, Hy-Vee Floral, Hy-Vee Catering, Hy-Vee Bakery, Hy-Vee Liquor, Nate Howard Photography, The Hardy Geranium, ViDeyo Arts, Modern Design & Concepts.