West Concord

History of West Concord

Organized in 1884 along the path of the new railroad line, the village of West Concord gets its name from the nearby town of Concord. Many businesses and homes were built in the early days as the town grew. Building materials were plentiful and there were many good jobs.

The town outgrew several smaller schoolhouses and voters eventually approved a bond for construction money to build a brick school building. Completed in 1902, with additions built in 1914 and 1936, the school still stands and is now the West Concord Historical Society Museum. The gymnasium and stage section, which were built with the assistance of a Federal grant and WPA workers, are now the West Concord Community Center. By 1991 the West Concord School District combined with Dodge Center and Claremont to become the new Triton School District.

West Concord had a large stock pavilion which opened in 1919 on the north side of Main Street. According to accounts, it sold 110 head of registered Holsteins for a total of $42,655. Dairy and farming were big business for the area, and it was known to sell and ship dairy cattle both nationally and internationally.

Numbers to Know

West Concord

Fire Department/First Responders Non-Emergency 507-527-2176 Triton Elementary School 507-418-7500 Triton Middle School 507-418-7510 Triton High School 507-418-7520 Municipal Liquor Store 507-527-2469 Park & Recreation 507-527-2668 Police Department 507-527-2870 Post Office 507-527-2776 Public Library 507-527-2031 Public Works 507-527-2668 Swimming Pool 507-527-2935

West Concord Utilities & Services Cable TV, Internet, Phone

Frontier Communications 800-921-8101 MediaCom 800-790-8187 Municipal Utilities 507-527-2668 (Electric, Water & Sewer –billed by the city of West Concord) Natural Gas- Minnesota Energy Resources 800-889-9508 Garbage & Recycling – Skjeveland Enterprises 507-528-9900 (Friday pickup)

Government

City Hall: 180 E. Main St., West Concord 507-527-2668 www.westconcordmn.com Mayor: Jeffrey McCool, 507-527-2668, wcmayor@yahoo.com City Administrator: Theresa Booms

City Council: Karen Peterson, Sam Schollmeier, Jeffery Burse and Sam Schollmeier Economic Development Authority: Dan Rabe, Karen Peterson, Jeffrey McCool, Steve Boe, Mary Burt, Al Gilbert and Curt Rapp West Concord Clubs & Organizations

Cardinal Club Meetings: Third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at West Concord City Hall The nonprofit promotes and maintains the park and recreational programs and facilities.

Langemo American Legion Auxiliary Post #295 Donna Fitzgerald, 507-456-9727 Meetings: Second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at West Concord Legion Hall

Langemo American Legion Post #295, Tom Turner -commander Myron Ehrich, 507-259-5261 Meetings: Second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. the West Concord Legion Hall

Southeast Senior Federation 507-527-2799, semnsf@lakes.com www.southeastseniors.org This group is a founding member of the Greater Minnesota Health Care Coalition.

West Concord Historical Society 507-527-2628 or wchs@frontiernet.net www.wchs1.org The West Concord Historical Society & Community Center is located in a 1912 schoolhouse. The museum features 10 rooms, displaying historical memorabilia.

The Community Center addition was built in 1936 and includes an auditorium and additional classroom space. Visit Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

West Concord Study Club Meetings: First and third Mondays of the month, September through first week of May. At each meeting two members present a program from an assigned topic. Study Club was first organized in 1922 for the purpose of the mutual improvement of its members, the town and the community.