When Dave was mapping our trip west after we connected with Greg & Helen, I asked if we would be anywhere near Pipestone, MN – where my mom was born and lived until she was 18. The group made it happen! After New Ulm, MN we drove to Split Rock Creek State Park in Jasper, MN, just 9 miles from Pipestone, MN. As shared in our last blog, we stopped at the WWII museum on our way, hence the little bump at the top of the route depicted below.
After a morning 3-mile hike around the Split Rock Creek Lake (which of course, Murphy enjoyed several swims), we headed to Pipestone – not sure what we would see. We first visited the Pipestone National Monument, created in 1937 to reaffirm the quarrying rights of Native Americans. For over 3,000 years, this land was considered neutral territory with over 23 tribal nations quarrying there. And what were they quarrying for? A unique red stone between layers of Sioux Quartzite. The American Indians believe this stone is sacred, and they carve pipes from the stones used in prayer and ceremonies. Hence the name, Pipestone. Today, only American Indians enrolled in a federally recognized tribe may quarry pipestone. The monument has a ¾ mile loop through ancient quarries, tallgrass prairie, along a creek, and by beautiful Winnewissa Falls, which we enjoyed walking around (and Murphy could come too). Greg bought a 4-pound piece of pipestone at a nearby store to carve his own pipestone pipe.
Now…on to the town of Pipestone. My mom’s family lived on a nearby farm in the town of Russell until she was 12, when her parents bought a house right on Main Street in Pipestone, MN. My mom, born in 1932 and the oldest of 5, said she and her siblings were so excited as their 2-bedroom house had an indoor bathroom. I cannot imagine 5 kids (4 girls and 1 boy) sharing one bedroom. They were thrilled. Below is a picture of the house my mom believes they lived in. We also took pictures of Main Street (downtown area).
Our last stop was the Old City Hall, now a Pipestone County Museum. Greg found a card catalog that had several Bowen’s listed (my mom’s maiden name) and we were able to pull up my grandparent’s obituaries. They also had several displays of older appliances, etc. Since my mom was a long-distance telephone operator, I took a picture of a display to share,
It was fun to visit my mom’s birthplace and I greatly appreciated Dave, Greg, and Helen adding this to our trip. Since this was a special trip, I am going to send this on as a mid-week blog and write about the rest of the week next Sunday.
We hope you are having a great week. It’s been very windy at our first stop after Pipestone, so it’s an indoor day. Great day to write this blog!
Fun to explore my mom’s hometown Brenda, history everywhere we visit Dave, and Why can’t I go in museums Murphy.
You find so much to do in these small cities!
Wow. I bet your mother was excited that you took the time to visit and take pictures of her home town. Cm amazing