PHOTO OF THE DAY: A WORD ABOUT THE 79ERS
We’re proud of the Scotland, Menno, Freeman, Canistota American Legion Junior and Senior Baseball Teams that have earned their way into state competition.
And we’re particularly pleased they chose to embrace their history by naming themselves the Post 152 79ers. The name (for those who might not know) reflects the fact that three of the towns in the four-town team – Scotland, Menno and Freeman – were all established in 1879 by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St Paul Railroad.
That came as the railroad added a branch line to its main line that ran from Canton to Mitchell. The railroad placed stops along the new line that extended from a new station at Marion Junction southwest to Running Water along the Missouri River just south of Springfield. The stops, which enabled steam locomotives to take on water, also established new commerce centers – Marion, Freeman, Menno, Scotland and Tyndall.
Although Canistota was not on the new branch line, it also has a railroad connection.
According to Canistota’s website, Canistota was established in 1883 when the Chicago Northwestern Railroad chose the site. Major Free, a man connected with the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, named the town Canastota after his hometown, Canastota, N.Y. But a clerical error when applying for a post office recorded the name as Canistota. The railroad continued to call the town Canastota; you’ll see that on the accompanying railroad map. The name wasn’t officially changed to Canistota until 1919.
The Senior 79ers start play in Milbank tomorrow (Aug. 1). The Junior 79ers start a week later (Aug. 8), also in Milbank.
And here’s another nugget of history. Milbank is considered the home of the American Legion Baseball League, and this year marks 100 years. The American Legion Baseball League was first proposed at an American Legion State Convention in Milbank, South Dakota, in 1925.
