Carnegie Resource Center of Mitchell, SD

08/22/2026

Back In Time.
Newbury Greenhouse.

The beginnings of Newbury Greenhouse date back to 1884, when Hiram Barber Jr. sold 160 acres to A. M. Bowdle. The area was then platted as the University Addition to the City of Mitchell.
In 1906, Dakota University sold Lots 1–14 in Block 10 to Jessie Newbury. Newbury Greenhouse was founded by C. E. and C. E. Newbury. Over the next few years, the Newburys acquired additional lots. They also purchased 40 more acres in the “Sunny Side Addition” to the City of Mitchell for an expansion of their tree-planting division.
In 1908, Newburys claimed to be the largest horticultural establishment in South Dakota, with 50,000 square feet of glass and 90 acres of nursery. They also won 24 first-place awards at the State Fair in Huron. Their advertisement proudly proclaimed, “When you want blue ribbon flowers and plants, see us.”
A huge contract was secured by Newbury Greenhouse in 1912 to furnish a carload of ornamental trees for the new State Capitol grounds. That same year, the Newbury family sold the business to a new corporation, although the family continued to provide guidance and direction.
In 1913, Newbury Greenhouse was incorporated with Charles Newbury serving as president. That year, the company also added landscaping to its list of services, advertising, “We will make your home even more beautiful.”
The landscaping advertisement is the last record we found of the Newbury family’s involvement in the Mitchell Greenhouse business.
Sources:
Progressive Business Men of Mitchell
Mitchell Republic
Mitchell Gazette

08/17/2026

08/15/2026

Back In Time.

If you had a serious automobile accident in Mitchell during the 1930s or 1940s, Auto Collision Works was one place you could turn to get your car back on the road.
The first advertisement we could find for Auto Collision Works appeared in March 1930. The business was located at 129 South Kimball Street and was owned by Olaf Hovda and Sid Anderson. Their slogan was a confident one: “No wreck is too bad we can’t fix it.” The business advertised that it could straighten and align axles and frames without removing them an impressive claims for the equipment of the day.
By 1931, Auto Collision Works had moved down the street to 135 South Kimball. By 1940, Olaf Hovda was listed as the manager.
An advertisement from 1938 showed that the business was doing more than repairing collision damage. Customers could have their cars repainted and “made to look like new” for $25. The business was still located on South Kimball.
By 1942, Ella Hovda was listed as the manager. Advertisements promoted the shop’s modern equipment for ironing out dents and making automobiles look new. Our records also show that Olaf Hovda died in 1942. After that, we could find no further mention of Sid Anderson in connection with the business.
The last advertisement in our records appeared in 1950. By then, Ella Hovda was still managing Auto Collision Works, but the business had moved to 213 North Lawler Street.
Auto Collision Works was apparently part of Mitchell's early automobile industry, helping local motorists repair the inevitable dents, bent frames and other damage that came with driving in the early days of the automobile. Their 1930 promise that “No wreck is too bad we can’t fix it” sounds like the kind of confidence a customer wanted to hear after a bad accident.
Sources
• Mitchell Republic
• Corn Palace program
• Historical advertising records

08/08/2026

Back In Time.
In early August 1969, a new dry-cleaning business opened in Mitchell in the former Hanneman Grocery building at 715 North Main Street, just north of Rew’s TV Service. The new One-Hour Martinizing was managed by William Goetsch and owned by Julius Roth of Rock Rapids, Iowa.
Advertisements promoted the company’s modern cleaning equipment, claiming that garments would not only be cleaned but also refreshed, giving customers the feeling of wearing a new garment.
A three-day promotion in 1970 offered customers the opportunity to have five garments cleaned and refreshed for $3.87, including leather, suede, and vinyl items. Furs were excluded from the special. The advertisements also emphasized one-hour service at no extra charge and promised that clothes would look and feel like new after One-Hour Martinizing.
One-Hour Martinizing remained part of downtown Mitchell until about 1977, when the business closed.
Sources:
• Mitchell Republic
• Polk City Directories

08/01/2026

Back In Time.

Lueken Bakery was founded in Yankton, South Dakota, by Henry Lueken. He later moved the business to Springfield before relocating it to Mitchell in 1953.
Henry's promotional and baking talents were evident in his advertising. In 1961, Lueken Bakery featured large Mother's Day cakes for just $1.29 each. For Thanksgiving in 1963, customers could choose from mince, custard, or pumpkin pie for 59¢. Reflecting the prices of the era, five dozen cookies sold for only $1.00.
A 1966 advertisement promoted wedding and party cakes, ice cream, and all of your party needs, with delivery available and emphasizing that cakes were their specialty. That same year, Lueken Bakery also opened a new outlet for its baked goods in the adjacent Newberry store. Lloyd was honored by being elected secretary of the South Dakota Bakers Association.
In 1967, Lueken Bakery was incorporated with Henry serving as president, his wife Sylvia as vice president, and Lloyd as secretary-treasurer.
Lloyd was elected president of the South Dakota Bakers Association in 1968. That same year, the bakery remodeled and expanded its seating capacity from a modest 10 seats to 66, creating a more comfortable experience for customers.
In 1974, Lloyd and his wife, Darlene, purchased the bakery from Henry. Two years later, they expanded the business by adding a delicatessen featuring sandwiches, salads, and quick snacks. In 1977, they introduced a complete catering service that offered full dinners, salads, sandwiches, tableware, and everything needed for large gatherings, with delivery available both in Mitchell and surrounding communities.
While attending the National Retail Bakers of America convention in 1980, Lloyd and Darlene were presented with the prestigious Golden Rolling Pin Award.
After many years of successfully serving the Mitchell community through their bakery, deli, and catering business, Lloyd and Darlene retired and sold the business in March 2003.
Sources:
Mitchell Republic

EDIT TO ADD:
Second photo has been adjusted with AI. Absolutely amazing! AI is definitely useful on photos! Thanks Mel!

07/27/2026

Back In Time.

Schirmer’s Pharmacy held its grand opening in August 1941 at 205 North Main Street in the Medical Arts Building. William Schuerenbrand owned and operated a connected business, which featured jewelry sales and watch repair.
As the business expanded, Salem South Dakota resident and pharmacist Russell Ahern, a graduate of the South Dakota School of Pharmacy, joined Schirmers in 1941. Continued growth led to the addition of registered pharmacist R. C. Trautman in 1943.
Over the years, Schirmers broadened its selection beyond prescription drugs to include nationally known cosmetics, perfumes, stationery, vitamins, film developing, a soda fountain and also served lunches.
To better serve its growing customer base, registered pharmacist D. B. Baker joined the staff in 1947. In 1949, Marion Church Ryan, a recent graduate of the South Dakota School of Pharmacy, was hired to help maintain the store's high level of customer service.
A 1954 advertisement showed that Schirmers continued to expand its offerings. In addition to prescription drugs and health aids, the store sold Zenith hearing aids and continued to operate its popular soda fountain, where coffee was still just 5¢ a cup.
In 1958 Schirmer’s Pharmacy still offered its wide variety of products and services, but it appears that 1958 was the final year the business operated.
Sources:
Mitchell Republic
Mitchell Gazette

07/18/2026

Back in Time.

In early 1980, Marvin Schwan of Schwan's Sales, a large frozen food manufacturer, negotiated the purchase of a small computer media manufacturing company in Orchard Park, New York. His next step was to remodel the abandoned Herter's Sporting Goods building in Mitchell to accommodate his new business. To help with the startup, he also hired the 12 employees from the original Orchard Park location.
Syncom started modestly, manufacturing several types of computer media, including magnetic tape and 3½-inch, 5¼-inch, and 8-inch floppy diskettes. Marvin Schwan's timing was perfect for the rapidly expanding computer market, and the company grew quickly during its first few years. Filled with optimism, Syncom even published an announcement in the Daily Republic proclaiming that the company was there to stay for the next 100 years.
By 1990, plant manager Mike Emmerick said wages had to be increased for the company's 313 employees in order to remain competitive in Mitchell's tight labor market. During Syncom's 15 years of operation, several employees were recognized as Employee of the Month for their dedication. They included Tami Haiar, Sherry Breitkreutz, Gary Fuerst, Jeri Emerson, Jeanette Lemke, Ron Kelly, and Barb Walz.
By 1994, increasing foreign competition forced a number of layoffs, and Syncom cut another 20 jobs from its already shrinking workforce of 120 employees. In 1995, the company announced it was negotiating a sale to an undisclosed buyer.
In January 1995, Syncom was sold to ProDisk of Stillwater, Minnesota. By July, ProDisk had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Manager Joe Tripoli was quoted as saying that the filing would not close Syncom's doors. However, in November 1995, the remaining 120 workers were laid off indefinitely while the bankruptcy court considered the case. Unfortunately, in December, the court converted the Chapter 11 reorganization into a Chapter 7 liquidation after trustees reported debts totaling $6.8 million.
In January 1996, Syncom officially ceased operations, closing the plant and leaving 120 people without jobs. A public auction was held in May to sell the remaining equipment. Then, in November 1996, Marvin Schwan purchased the building back as the auction's only bidder.
Sources:
• Mitchell Republic
• Argus Leader

07/18/2026

Thanks to all the buyers of our baked goods on July's First Friday. It was very much appreciated and will help on the upkeep of our wonderful building and other projects! Shown is Mary Ellen, Carnegie Resource Center Volunteer.