In our lives as a community, West Concord, like every place, has had its challenges. Fires, water problems, loss of Main Street businesses, and more have tested our backbone. But what did we survive that gave the name to our city celebration now in its 39th year?
If you lived in West Concord in 1985-86 you remember it all too well—especially if you lived south of town. It all had to do with Highway 56. For a few years MNDOT had been promising that the stretch of road south of West Concord to Highway 14 would be re-graded, but the project kept being postponed. Because of the poor condition
of the highway, in the spring of 1985 the road was posted as “closed to over 5 tons axle weight”. This was a great inconvenience. The April 3,1985 Enterprise explained the problem this way: “If Eldon Ellingson, who lives north of West Concord, wants to take a truck semi-load of corn to Dodge Center, he now travels north to Randolph, then to Cannon Falls, goes south on 52 to Rochester and then west on 14 to Dodge Center.” That was definitely the long way to get there. The Enterprise noted that the 5 ton posting affected not only trucks passing through West Concord, but also the local feed, milk, and fertilizer haulers. Citizens were urged to contact their legislators to get
action on the re-construction of Highway 56.
Shortly after the 5 ton posting, Dodge County Commissioners met with West Concord’s native son, senator Mel Frederick, as well as the Commissioner of Transportation, to plead for action. They were successful and in May of 1985 the re-construction of 6.5 miles of highway 56 south of West Concord was announced as one of 27 MNDOT projects in southeastern Minnesota. The road project would involve a 21 mile detour.
At the end of May the bid was awarded to North Star Asphalt Co. of Rochester for $2,096,620. The re-construction was promised to result in a wider road, better visibility, good shoulders, and the capability of handling 10 tons axle weight.
Coincidentally, the summer of 1985 was West Concord’s Centennial. Fortunately the celebration took place before the detour was put in place in late July. By July 24th Highway 56 construction was well underway. There was only one stretch of blacktop left to be removed, stockpiled, and reused. The September 18th Enterprise reported
that the road was nearing completion and would be reopened later in the fall. As the Enterprise wrote, “The opening of the new road will be a long awaited day for West Concord area residents—no more dust and no more detours.”
Unfortunately 6 weeks of wet weather intervened and the opening of 56 was delayed. It was hoped that the contractor would be able to get a drivable surface on the unfinished section so that the detour could be removed for the winter. This hope did not materialize. Due to an impassable section of 56, north and south of County Road 16, the detour was kept in place. It was a tough autumn. By December 4th, two feet of snow had already fallen.
In the Spring of 1986 construction was underway again with hopes that the weather would cooperate and the project could be completed by mid-July. In June it was reported that blacktopping had begun on highway 56 and there was optimism in the air that the road would soon be finished. The July 2nd Enterprise reported that all that remained to be done was completing the shoulders and painting the lines—real progress. At last, the July 16 Enterprise reported that MNDOT had announced that Highway 56 would be opened during the week of July 21-25. Ribbon cutting ceremonies were to be held on Saturday, July 26 at 8:00 a.m. with Senator Frederick and Representative Hartle presiding.
West Concord’s Commercial Club decided that if anything had ever been worthy of celebration, the opening of 56 was it! They invited residents to submit ideas for names of the celebration and West Concord’s barber, Roger Espenson, submitted the winner, “Survival Days”. The very first Survival Days were Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27, 1986. The festivities included a beer garden and music, Lions’ Chicken BBQ and a dance—all at the Fire Hall. A Main Street flea market, a horseshoe tournament, a dunking stand, games for kids at the swimming pool, a flower show and luncheon at the Methodist Church, a softball tournament, an ice cream social at Hegre Church, and lots of store specials rounded out the weekend.
After the event was over the Commercial Club was pleased with the huge crowd who had attended. Their words said it all, “With the town spirit and participation, we will be planning another celebration next year!” Dodge Center’s gift plaque to West Concord summed up everyone’s feelings, “Welcome back to the World, West Concord:
56 is Open!” 39 years later we are still celebrating!
