This was the case for New Ulm resident Douglas Sandmann, who recently discovered a 1940 promotional booklet made by the city of New Ulm. The book had been stored in a manila envelope, buried underneath a stack of pictures. Sandmann said the envelope was in a box he inherited from his in-laws after they passed away in the early 90s. From there, they went on a road trip.

“That box of stuff moved down to my house at 610 5th North for 20 years. In 09 I moved up to Brainerd and that box of pictures and books moved up to Brainerd for 15 years. Then I moved back to New Ulm [this year].”

Throughout the decades he had the box, Sandmann had no idea the booklet was inside. Only when he was unpacking after moving to New Ulm did he fully investigate the box and find the booklet. He said he knew exactly when it was from, because his mother-in-law had written it down.

“August 1940,” Sandmann said. “It’s been 83 years this little book has been traveling around in this manila envelope instead of a time capsule metal box.”

Back when this booklet was made in 1940, the Cottonwood dam had provided ample room for summer swimming in Cottonwood lake. The dam was washed out by floods in 1965 and 69, with the choice made to not rebuild.

Afterward Sandmann did his due diligence, checking with the Brown County Historical Society. He found out they already have a copy of this booklet, but so far Sandmann has been unable to find anyone else with a copy or knowledge of it. The book itself is a time capsule of New Ulm’s attractions during that time.

“It shows a picture history of New Ulm in 1940,” Sandmann said. “It has what they thought back then was prominent to take pictures of. Some of the newer houses, the buildings, city buildings, churches, museums, schools, the country club, all that kind of talk is in there. It’s amazing how many of the buildings are still the same and how many are gone.”

Some of the landmarks featured which no longer exist are the Cottonwood Lake and the outdoor swimming pool. The lake was made by the Cottonwood Dam, which was removed after being washed over in 1965 and ’69. Sandmann said the swimming pool was removed after water leakage issues got to the point city officials decided to close it down.

Others are still around today. In the section on modern homes is several houses that stand today, including the Dempsey Estate which recently sold for $800,000. There is also a section recounting New Ulm’s history in the Dakota War of 1862, back when it had been less than a century since the war had taken place.

Since the museum already has a copy, Sandmann has no plans regarding the historical booklet. He has shown the piece to several people, and currently he is interested in showing it to anyone who is interested. To find out more, contact Sandmann at 218-838-1648.