Okay I’m gonna need a little help with some names to fill in the blanks on this story. A few years ago I stopped at a garage sale at this house. I was chatting with a woman running the sale who said her mother had bought this swan? pitcher at the closing sale of the Brown’s hotel before it was torn down. I think she may have said her mother worked there. Unfortunately, when her mother was carrying it home, she tripped walking across the train tracks and the lid fell off and broke. I am a sucker for an antique with a story so of course I bought this for the $1 it was marked. It’s been a pencil holder or book end on my selves for a while now.
So, help me know who lived in this brick house next to Saron Lutheran Church? I kinda think may have been Helen Brenteson but am not sure. If any members of the family are part of this group can they verify my story? And, does anyone else have anything from the closing sale of the Historic Brown’s hotel one of Big Lake’s oldest establishments and one time county seat. (pictures attached)? According to the History book the hotel was torn down in 1954.
Carolyn Fowler John and Helen Brenteson if I remember correctly.
Jana HarrerGroup Admin That’s who I thought it might be
Jody Hulburt Olson My mom always talked about Brown’s hotel to Debra Thornburgh and me like we were old enough to remember and then she would laugh.
Jim Tomlinson Yes, the 2 sisters had a garage sale there for Norman.
Peggy Ferguson Confirmed, it was John and Helen Brenteson’s house
Kenneth Mitchell It’s the house that Michael and Shirley Breteson grew up in!
Jana HarrerGroup Admin If you know them can you ask them about this story?
Jana HarrerGroup Admin Oh are you saying John as in John the original owner who as passed away.
Peggy Ferguson Jana Harrer I’ll ask Shirley Brenteson Carlson, she’s my cousin.
Jana HarrerGroup Admin Peggy Ferguson so you talked to her and she confirmed the story. Any other memories of the hotel?
Jana HarrerGroup Admin Right about in the middle of where the street is now between the Holiday and the school. I recently learned that the little gazebo park on the corner is actually called Brown’s square.
Sandra Lowe Michael Brenteson lived there, class of 1963.
Richard Hinrichs Shirley Brenteson lived there
Jana HarrerGroup Admin You’re right. Peggy Ferguson go a hold of her and she confirmed the story.
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