Lindbergh and Little Falls

To a great extent, the Morrison County Atlas was a record of stuff that was important to the residents, and what distinguished them from other counties. The family photos, of course, and the church-link photos, the weddings and confirmation/communion pics, the tractors, cars, horses and farm photos--all distinguished Morrison County from Todd or Mille Lacs, Benton or Stearns.  But probably the most distinguishing Morrison county event was in 1927 when a local boy, Charles Lindbergh  flew solo to Paris from New York in May of that year. 

(Added in April, 2017): Something I never put together in my head is that 1926, when John Hesch died, was followed by major events in 1927.  The winter of 1926-27 saw huge snowfall all across the midwest, and lots of rain that spring, so Lindbergh's flight took peoples' minds off the devastating floods in the South that spring--all of which were explained on the new-fangled radio.  Smithsonian article

By August, Lindy was flying around the country, stopping in at least one city in every state, to promote aeronautics. 

There's an online article from Minnesota History Magazine (MNHS) that tells the story, including info about this photo from the atlases--the Brutcher farm?

 Mom often mentioned that her dad thought it was important that his family witness Lindy's triumphant return, so we know they were there at the Brutcher farm, north of Little Falls, that day.  Mom was 12 and remembered it as a sort of beginning to her ventures into the larger world.

The Brutcher farm was chosen because it had room for parking as well as a nice flat field where the plane could land.  Looks like Lindburgh's father owned some acreage nearby, and maybe that had something to do with the choice too.  
Mom said it was a hot day, but they had to have a parade too.  Click the pic to enlarge it--so you sorta have a feel for where this is, that's the Buckman Hotel in the distance.  The photo is looking NE.  
If you want to know more about the hotel, check this out: