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Banjos, Steamboats and the Mississippi River

Lake City, Minnesota musician and Mississippi River historian Dr. Dennis Robertson talks about the history of the river, its heritage of music and steamboats, and connection to the Mayo family and Mayo Clinic. Robertson is a retired Mayo Clinic physician, and a banjo-playing member of the Turkey River All-Stars. He played in jazz festivals in the Midwest, in New Orleans, and on steamboats on the upper Mississippi River. Recorded in 2013 in the Council Chamber at City Hall for the Lake City Historical Society by Ben Threinen Film.

Clamming on Lake Pepin 1910-1930​

There was once a thriving clamming industry on Lake Pepin, a natural lake on the Mississippi River between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Freshwater mussels, some with pearls, were harvested, and their shells delivered to factories in Lake City, Minnesota and elsewhere. Buttons were cut from the shells and shipped to button manufactures for finishing. Pearls continue to be used for jewelry.  Narrated by Ben Threinen, Steve Swan, and Mary Jane Rasmussen. Created for the Lake City Historical Society by Ben Threinen Film.

Ron Hunt portrays Mark Twain

Long-time Lake City, Minnesota resident and artist Ron Hunt portrays Mark Twain at the Wabasha County Historical Society Museum. Located in Reads Landing, the museum is the oldest brick schoolhouse in Minnesota. Recorded for the Wabasha County Historical Society by Ben Threinen Film.

Sea Wing Disaster

Tourists, most from Red Wing, were out for an excursion July 13, 1890 on the Mississippi River when a storm came up suddenly. Their boat, a steamer named the Sea Wing, was on Lake Pepin near Maiden Rock, Wisconsin, across from Lake City, Minnesota, when disaster struck. Of 215 passengers on board the overloaded vessel, ninety-eight, including many children, died. Wreckage was towed to Camp Lakeview, a Minnesota National Guard camp downriver of Lake City. It remains one of the worst inland maritime disasters in American history.  Historian Fred Johnson narrates this documentary about the Sea Wing disaster. Recorded in 2015 during the annual Waterski Days festival for the Lake City Historical Society by Ben Threinen Film.

Famous Names Vol. 1

Meet some of the Famous Names in the history of Lake City, Minnesota: 0:00 Ralph Samuelson, inventor of waterskiing 3:15 George & Mary Patton, philanthropists 6:20 Abner Dwelle, early settler from the eastern U.S. 10:51 Alice Grannis Murdoch, historian and college instructor 17:38 Nell Mabey, journalist and poet 24:36 Oliver P. Francisco, musician Narrated by Bob Norberg, Marcia Savela, and Dennis Robertson with help from Constance Anderson, and Lola Threinen. Created for the Lake City Historical Society by Ben Threinen Video. 31 minutes.

Famous Names Vol. 2

More Famous Names in the history of Lake City, Minnesota: 0:00 Sarah Kimm, Lake Pepin lamp-lighter, by Eloise Blattner 15:33 Cappi Lenhart, riverman, by Don Schwartz 20:03 Patrick H. Rahilly, philanthropist, by Ben Threinen 27:28 Anna B. Underwood, horticulturist and community activist, by Katie Himanga Created for the Lake City Historical Society by Ben Threinen film.

Cemetery Walk 2013

Community members impersonate persons from history at the 2013 Cemetery Walk held Memorial Day at Lakewood Cemetery in Lake City, Wabasha County, Minnesota. 00:00 Lou Ella Peterson, 1879-1981, by Amanda Baldwin 03:36 Edward Storing, 1888-1989, by Dave Close 08:19 T. P. Grogan, 1877-1954, by Greg Schreck 10:21 Dr. W. F. Wilson, 1865-1952, by Don Schwartz 15:16 Mary Thompson Wilson, 1866-1947, by Alice Schwartz 18:06 LuLu Munro, 1875-1953, by Marcia Savela 21:32 Frank Wasserman, 1871-1960, by Ed Borner Created for the Lake City Historical Society by Ben Threinen Film.