2024 in photos
NUMAS Haus purchases First United Methodist On Jan. 31, NUMAS Haus acquired the former First United Methodist building, located at the corner of Broadway and Center Street. The non-profit already operated a shelter next door to First United Methodist and had offices inside the church building. With the purchase of the entire building, NUMAS is able to expand its footprint and create additional housing for families in need. In the photo, Nicole Schmiesing, NUMAS executive director, stands in the sanctuary of the former First United Methodist Church. The current plan for the sanctuary space is to create auditorium/gymnasium space for NUMAS Haus residents. —Photo Clay Schuldt (Published February 22, 2024)
Princefest comes to New Ulm Turner Hall and the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame (MMHF) played host to Princefest, a celebration of all things Prince. The celebration was organized by Prince Legacy Project President Joel King. The festival was held for the last five years in Henderson, but was moved to New Ulm. The MMHF already housed dozens of Prince artifacts. In the photo, Sue Behling and Brian Behling, second from left, release doves on the Turner Hall deck as tribute artist Johnny Rogers performs “When Doves Cry.” —Photo by Fritz Busch (Published April 23, 2024)
The Rapidan Dam partial failure On June 24th the Rapidan Dam suffered a partial failure of the western abutment. The partial failure was caused by a combination of higher than normal water flow and excess debris in the water. The water flow through the western abutment caused rapid erosion of the western bank threatening the home of the Rapidan Dam Store located a few yards away. The store was eventually demolished and removed to avoid losing it to the river. In the photo, Blue Earth Chief Deputy Jeremy Brennan watches the Rapidan Dam from the County Road 9 bridge. The bridge has been closed to traffic after the partial failure of the dam. The white house belonging to the Dam Store owners would be lost to the river a few hours after the photo was taken. —Photo by Clay Schuldt (Published June 26, 2024)
The roundabout at Highway 14 and Highland Avenue is complete On May 20th construction began on the new roundabout at Highway 14 and Highland. The construction of the roundabout took over two months to complete, requiring a detour. The construction process was delayed due to heavy rains in June and July, but was officially opened to the public Friday, August 9. The first vehicle to travel through the roundabout was a 1940 Chevy Street Rod driven Craig Opel. Opel believed the opening of the roundabout was an important part of New Ulm’s history and felt the first vehicle through the improved intersection should have a little class. —Photo by Clay Schuldt (Published Aug. 10, 2024)
The New Ulm community collage is installed on Center Street In April photographer Josh Madson began a community collage project, photographing hundreds of New Ulm citizens. The photo collage was officially installed Sept. 27 on the Center Street on the side of The Thimble Box building, 2 S. Minnesota St. In the photo Randy Horejsi of Fuel Graphics Company attaches the collage to the brick wall. —Photo by Fritz Busch (Published Sept. 27, 2024)
A house on the move The New Ulm Economic Development Authority sold a lot at 320 N. Broadway to a development company. The lot had a house on it that was rented by Dylan Schapekahm and Cassie Cano. Rather than demo the house, the city agreed to move the house to another empty lot at 1007 N. Minnesota Street. Schapekahm and Cano also agreed to purchased the house. The city considered it a win-win as they were able to save a house and open up another lot for further residential development. However, it did require moving and entire house several blocks to the north. In the photo the home moves by trailer down N. Minnesota Street. Police Commander Dean Barstad helps clear traffic as the house is slowly moved down the street. —Photo By Fritz Busch (Published Oct. 1, 2024)
A lion in autumn Brown County and most of southern Minnesota reached peak color change during the third week of October. One of the best locations to view the fall colors was Hermann Park near the monument. In the photo one of the lions from the Hermann Heights Monument appears framed by the fall colors. —Photos by Clay Schuldt (Published Oct. 19, 2024)
George’s sign is saved The long demolition of George’s Ballroom began in early December. Demolition is part of a redevelopment plan managed by Coldwell Banker Commercial (CBC) Fisher Group of Mankato. Plans are to create a new residential building. The ballroom had been closed for decades and was beyond rehabilitation, but many residents called for the Coldwell group to salvage any artifacts possible from the building. By the time of demolition the only artifact that could be salvaged was the large art deco exterior sign. On Dec. 11 the sign was successfully removed from the building. It was placed on trailer at taken to a site in Mankato to be refurbished. The sign will eventually be incorporated into the new residential property. —Photo by Clay Schuldt (Published Dec. 12, 2024)
NUMAS Haus purchases First United Methodist On Jan. 31, NUMAS Haus acquired the former First United Methodist building, located at the corner of Broadway and Center Street. The non-profit already operated a shelter next door to First United Methodist and had offices inside the church building. With the purchase of the entire building, NUMAS is able to expand its footprint and create additional housing for families in need. In the photo, Nicole Schmiesing, NUMAS executive director, stands in the sanctuary of the former First United Methodist Church. The current plan for the sanctuary space is to create auditorium/gymnasium space for NUMAS Haus residents. —Photo Clay Schuldt (Published February 22, 2024)
Princefest comes to New Ulm Turner Hall and the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame (MMHF) played host to Princefest, a celebration of all things Prince. The celebration was organized by Prince Legacy Project President Joel King. The festival was held for the last five years in Henderson, but was moved to New Ulm. The MMHF already housed dozens of Prince artifacts. In the photo, Sue Behling and Brian Behling, second from left, release doves on the Turner Hall deck as tribute artist Johnny Rogers performs “When Doves Cry.” —Photo by Fritz Busch (Published April 23, 2024)
The Rapidan Dam partial failure On June 24th the Rapidan Dam suffered a partial failure of the western abutment. The partial failure was caused by a combination of higher than normal water flow and excess debris in the water. The water flow through the western abutment caused rapid erosion of the western bank threatening the home of the Rapidan Dam Store located a few yards away. The store was eventually demolished and removed to avoid losing it to the river. In the photo, Blue Earth Chief Deputy Jeremy Brennan watches the Rapidan Dam from the County Road 9 bridge. The bridge has been closed to traffic after the partial failure of the dam. The white house belonging to the Dam Store owners would be lost to the river a few hours after the photo was taken. —Photo by Clay Schuldt (Published June 26, 2024)
The roundabout at Highway 14 and Highland Avenue is complete On May 20th construction began on the new roundabout at Highway 14 and Highland. The construction of the roundabout took over two months to complete, requiring a detour. The construction process was delayed due to heavy rains in June and July, but was officially opened to the public Friday, August 9. The first vehicle to travel through the roundabout was a 1940 Chevy Street Rod driven Craig Opel. Opel believed the opening of the roundabout was an important part of New Ulm’s history and felt the first vehicle through the improved intersection should have a little class. —Photo by Clay Schuldt (Published Aug. 10, 2024)
The New Ulm community collage is installed on Center Street In April photographer Josh Madson began a community collage project, photographing hundreds of New Ulm citizens. The photo collage was officially installed Sept. 27 on the Center Street on the side of The Thimble Box building, 2 S. Minnesota St. In the photo Randy Horejsi of Fuel Graphics Company attaches the collage to the brick wall. —Photo by Fritz Busch (Published Sept. 27, 2024)
A house on the move The New Ulm Economic Development Authority sold a lot at 320 N. Broadway to a development company. The lot had a house on it that was rented by Dylan Schapekahm and Cassie Cano. Rather than demo the house, the city agreed to move the house to another empty lot at 1007 N. Minnesota Street. Schapekahm and Cano also agreed to purchased the house. The city considered it a win-win as they were able to save a house and open up another lot for further residential development. However, it did require moving and entire house several blocks to the north. In the photo the home moves by trailer down N. Minnesota Street. Police Commander Dean Barstad helps clear traffic as the house is slowly moved down the street. —Photo By Fritz Busch (Published Oct. 1, 2024)
A lion in autumn Brown County and most of southern Minnesota reached peak color change during the third week of October. One of the best locations to view the fall colors was Hermann Park near the monument. In the photo one of the lions from the Hermann Heights Monument appears framed by the fall colors. —Photos by Clay Schuldt (Published Oct. 19, 2024)
George’s sign is saved The long demolition of George’s Ballroom began in early December. Demolition is part of a redevelopment plan managed by Coldwell Banker Commercial (CBC) Fisher Group of Mankato. Plans are to create a new residential building. The ballroom had been closed for decades and was beyond rehabilitation, but many residents called for the Coldwell group to salvage any artifacts possible from the building. By the time of demolition the only artifact that could be salvaged was the large art deco exterior sign. On Dec. 11 the sign was successfully removed from the building. It was placed on trailer at taken to a site in Mankato to be refurbished. The sign will eventually be incorporated into the new residential property. —Photo by Clay Schuldt (Published Dec. 12, 2024)
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In 2024, Journal staff took thousands of photos cover a wide range of unique stories; from the NUMAS Haus purchase of the former First United Methodist church building and the moving of the house at 320 N. Broadway to the partial failure of the Rapidan Dam and the demolition of George's Ballroom.