200 years of Hamlin history comes together in new book

200 years of Hamlin history comes together in new book

The compilation of a history book for the Town of Hamlin, entitled Remembering Hamlin 1802-2002, was a labor of love for long-time town historian Mary Smith.

"The book is about 85 percent first person accounts and it took 20 years to collect letters and interview people who had a connection to Hamlin," she said. "The book encompasses people who lived here, worshipped here, shopped here."

More than 250 photos make up the 180 page book. Smith said she gave an overview on the entrepreneurs who purchased the original tracts of land in the town and followed the history through 19th century accounts.

"The information came from a variety of sources, from first-hand tales to diaries and newspapers," she said. "I took each of our little hamlets individually and included those as separate chapters filled with information people either remembered or discovered about the places."

There are chapters devoted to the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp and the German POW Camp and those chapters include first-hand accounts from individuals who worked and spent time there.

"I interviewed a former POW and also a man who was at the CCC camp from the time it opened until five years later when it closed," she said. Among tidbits of information gathered, "I found out that the German soldiers were issued two bottles of beer a piece, each day," she said.

Documenting town history is important, the historian said. The town has never had a comprehensive compilation of its history, though she had put together previous booklets on various aspects of the town's history. Nothing was as all encompassing as her latest endeavor.

Smith told of a story she heard about early transportation.

"One of the earliest cars in the town couldn't go up hills forward, because of the gravity feed on the gas lines. The vehicle had to go backwards to get up the hills," she said. "If I found anything that was unusual or fun, and if I could document it, I added it to the book. Every day I worked on it I discovered something new."

Smith plans a book signing at the Northstar History Center, a one room school house built in 1844 which houses the town's artifacts, on December 4 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The books are available for $15 for a spiral bound softcover and $22.50 for a hardcover copy. The book was published by Ryan Printing in Hamlin.

"I hope people get some enjoyment from the book. I know it enriched my life when I was putting it together and I hope it enriches theirs when they read it," she said.

Note: Contact Hamlin Historian Mary Smith at 964-2101.