The typewriter owned by John M. Delander, the first town clerk of Haxtun when it was incorporated, is pictured in its spot at the Phillips County Museum. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
John M. Delander is pictured in his office in 1907. One of his typewriters is on display in the Phillips County Museum. — Source: Phillips County Museum
The collection of typewriters and adding machines at the Phillips County Museum includes over a dozen of each machine. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Museum holds fun for all types of people
Much has happened in the history of Phillips County, and visitors to the Phillips County Museum often point out that they see something new every time they peruse the many historic photographs, documents, artifacts and much more.
The museum opened at its present location Aug. 1, 1975, and was dedicated on Aug. 31 that same year. It was expanded in 1976 when the Heginbotham Trust provided funds for an addition to the south end of the building. This addition was dedicated on Jan. 17, 1978.
In the spring of 1985, the Heginbotham Trust provided the Phillips County Historical Society funds to purchase additional lots south of the museum. This second expansion, which was added to the east of the first addition, was dedicated on Aug. 12, 1990.
The museum acquired the old Reimer-Smith oil station from the Holyoke Co-op in 1998. The building was moved from 205 N. Baxter Ave. to the lot south of the museum. It was restored and furnished to be as similar to the original as possible.
A one-room schoolhouse was given to the museum in 1999 and was moved south of the museum building and the filling station. This was the Pleasant Prairie School, District No. 14, and has been refurbished to reflect the original as closely as it can.
The museum has put on many programs over the years, including quilt, afghan, needlework, wedding gown, old car, doll, musket loader and arrowhead shows. Fiddlers, hymn singers and antique appraisals have all been museum programs, and the Phillips County Historical Society is always looking for new and interesting programs.
Among the many collections at the museum is one that has over a dozen typewriters and adding machines.
One typewriter in particular is noteworthy, as it belonged to John M. Delander of Haxtun, who was the only person in the town who could use a typewriter when he arrived in 1905.
Since he could speak both English and Swedish, he was instrumental in helping the early settlers — especially those who were Swedish — with their legal forms and documents pertaining to their farms and property. He was the first town clerk of Haxtun when it was incorporated in 1909.
Many unique items can be found in the museum, and they each tell a piece of the history of this area.