Food
"The summer of '56 was particularly prosperous and hopeful. The crops were fine, the seed-corn and potatoes yielded abundantly and our garden was a surprise-a source of pleasure and profit. Everybody seemed pleased that they had come to Algona." Emma Heckart
When the Call brothers came to the Algona area there were no other towns within a 40 mile area. The closet towns were Fort Dodge, IA, Clear Lake, IA and Mankato, MN. Forty miles was a long distance when you traveled by wagon, horseback or by foot.
The settlers raised their own food. They planted corn to feed themselves and their horses, cows and oxen. Settlers tilled the soil and planted gardens so that they could raise their own vegetables and spices. Chickens provided meat and eggs. Cows provided milk, butter and cream. Elk, deer and hogs were also sources of meat.
The Call children particularly liked maple sugar which was a sweet treat made from the syrup of the maple trees in their grove. The children would often go to the garden to dig potatoes for dinner or hunt gooseberries in the woods.
In 1856, Asa Call built a steam powered grist mill near the river which ground grains like wheat, barley, corn and oats into flour and meal;.
In the summer of 1856, a "store" opened in a cabin in Algona. The store sold goods that were shipped up from Fort Dodge. In the late 1850's and early 1860's many businesses sprung up in Algona: blacksmith shop, cabinet shop, banks, hotels and more.
When the Call brothers came to the Algona area there were no other towns within a 40 mile area. The closet towns were Fort Dodge, IA, Clear Lake, IA and Mankato, MN. Forty miles was a long distance when you traveled by wagon, horseback or by foot.
The settlers raised their own food. They planted corn to feed themselves and their horses, cows and oxen. Settlers tilled the soil and planted gardens so that they could raise their own vegetables and spices. Chickens provided meat and eggs. Cows provided milk, butter and cream. Elk, deer and hogs were also sources of meat.
The Call children particularly liked maple sugar which was a sweet treat made from the syrup of the maple trees in their grove. The children would often go to the garden to dig potatoes for dinner or hunt gooseberries in the woods.
In 1856, Asa Call built a steam powered grist mill near the river which ground grains like wheat, barley, corn and oats into flour and meal;.
In the summer of 1856, a "store" opened in a cabin in Algona. The store sold goods that were shipped up from Fort Dodge. In the late 1850's and early 1860's many businesses sprung up in Algona: blacksmith shop, cabinet shop, banks, hotels and more.
Links:
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This short video describes the 1850's process of turning grains into flour. This site shows you how to make butter in minutes. This video will show you how the pioneers made flour before they could send grain to the mill. |