Brief History of
Johnsburg, MN
[Under Development]
Johnsburg, [Mower County] MN
- Early Religious Activities Around Johnsburg, MN
- Prominent families of Johnsburg, MN
- Business and Trade in Johnsburg, MN
School in Johnsburg, MN
- Johnsburg's Historic Crime
- .Photo Gallery
- Johnsburg, MN today
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Johnsburg was originally known as Germania - due to the heavy German settlement.
Sometime in the 1880s the name was changed to Johnsburg.
Prominent Families in the area of Johnsburg, MN
Under Development
Business and Trade in the area of Johnsburg, MN
Freund's Store
One of the most famous legends of the area took place at this Johnsburg Store. A robbery, complete with hostages and famous criminals! Freund's Store was established by Peter and Christina Freund in 1880 - the year they moved to Johnsburg. The original store was built in 1880 and replaced by a larger version (in 1895) that still stands today. The old store was used as a saloon for a time until Prohibition removed it's business in the 1920s. In the late 1800s, accordign to the Johnsburg Church history book, the saloon also served as the town's post office until it merged with Adams, MN post office in 1900. In addition, the hall above the store served as the town's theater and hosted club plays.
Other Businesses mentioned in Church history book:
Willie Weber's Blacksmith Shop & Oyster Stew Emporium
Johnsburg Feed Mill
Mullenbach Garage
Cliff's Electric
School - Johnsburg, MN
The first school was constructed in 1874 and Anton Buhr was hired as the first teacher. In 1877 fifty students attended the school. In 1905 a new brick school house was constructed south of the cemetery. At this time, a convent was also constructed and teaching sisters came to serve the school. In 1924, a public school was built in Johnsburg by Districts 72 and 6 across the road from the Catholic Schoo. This school house burned down in 1948 and the District No. 6 students began attending the Catholic school. Additions were made to the building in 1958 and 1980. In the fall of 1966, grades 7 and 8 were discontinued at the Catholic school with the children attending the Adams Public School. In the Spring of 1967 the Johnsburg Catholic school closed when the sisters were withdrawn by the motherhouse in Rochester, MN. Some students began attending the Visitation Catholic School in Stacyville at this time.
Johnsburg's Historic Crime
"JOHN FREUND SLUGGED ON THE HEAD AND THEN SHOT TO DEATH IN
COLD BLOOD BY ONE OF BANDITS WHO MAINTAINS NONCHALANT AIR
AS THOUGH KILLING WAS HIS DAILY JOB"
[Austin Daily Herald, October 22, 1934 Headline]
The little Johnsburg, MN store made the news when a robbery attempt turned deadly. As an intensive manhunt was conducted speculation centered on whether some of Pretty Boy Floyd's gang might be responsible for the dcreime since there had been sightings in the area around that time. The robbery netted only $20 from the cash register and two cartons of cigarettes but cost store owner John Freund his life. A customer, John J. Krebsbach witnessed the murder as he was in the back of the store listening to the radio. His life was spared after the criminals searched him (but didn't find the $14 he had on his person) and ordered him to lie face down on the floor. More details coming!
Photo Gallery
Under development
Johnsburg, MN Today
The school has closed. The store has closed. Essentially all that remains is the church.
As we say, don't blink when you go through Johnsburg or you'll miss it.
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