Lost City of Unity

Communities are in a constant state of change. Some communities grow and expand while others change in composition with the addition of new businesses or ethnic groups. Sometimes communities decline. A good example of this is when a major industry closes or lays-off its work force. The out-of-work employees move to take jobs elsewhere. With a smaller population base, other businesses find it difficult to remain open and the community begins a period of decline. In most communities, city councils and chambers of commerce work to attract and retain businesses to protect their community from an economic disaster. Sometimes a community that suffers a serious hardship is abandoned. These communities are often referred to as ghost towns.

You might find it interesting to learn that there are communities that did not survive in Stearns County. The original town site of St. Augusta is a good example of a community that did not survive.

Old St. Augusta

The original site of Old St. Augusta was located almost one mile from the current site of St. Augusta, at the junction of the Mississippi River and Johnson’s Creek. The town began in 1854 when an association of land developers began surveying and platting the town. The town expanded and included a blacksmith's shop, grist and saw mills, two dry-goods stores, a doctor and a wagon factory. In 1859, disaster struck the thriving little community. A tornado swept through the settlement destroying most of the businesses and homes. The businesses were never rebuilt and the town site was abandoned. Later, in 1873, the community now known as St. Augusta was organized.

Many of the other lost cities in Stearns County were affected by the railroad. Having access to the railroad was important for businesses and farmers in the developing frontier. As railroad lines were being built across the country, communities were also being built where people thought the railroad was most likely to travel. Unfortunately, there were too many conditions and the railroad lines missed many communities. Without the railroad and access to transportation, these communities fell to decline. Many were abandoned.

(See Activity: The Lost Cities, in the Educator'https Resource Kit.)

Joining a Community

The act of settling into a new community has played a major role in past and present history. Joining a new community can be exciting, but it also means facing new challenges.

What challenges do you face when you move from one community to another?

Make a list of all the things that would have to be changed when moving to another community. For example, stop delivery on your newspaper at your old address. Arrange for delivery of a newspaper in the new community.

Moving involves making choices. What considerations will you make when you are ready to move away from home?