by Conner Sura
The Sartell Historical Society hosted its annual Verso Paper Mill remembrance event Sept. 30 at the Sartell Community Center.
On May 19, 2012, an explosion happened at the paper mill, claiming a worker’s life and injuring four others. The explosion caused a rapid spread of fire. It took the work of 14 area fire departments to extinguish the flames. Later that year, the mill, which was founded way back in 1905, was officially closed – signaling the end of an era.
“The paper was the backbone of Sartell’s economy for a long time and when it was destroyed the fire put hundreds of people out of work,” SHS President Jeff Sartell told the Newsleaders.
Many people at the Sept. 30 gathering remembered the paper mill fondly, saying the paper mill was one of the greatest places – if not the greatest place – they had ever worked. They consider that mill to have been a shining beacon, and after all these years they still remember it with vivid stories. One could sense the passion in the air, people laughing, rekindling with one another as if it were a Thanksgiving Day celebration. The aroma of coffee and sweets wafted throughout the room. But among the joy, one could also sense a feeling of sadness – even grief – for the loss of that economic and social bedrock of the city.
Neil Pearson, 85, started working at the Verso paper mill at the age of 16. It was at first a part-time job, a job where his father also worked as a roll wrapper. The mill was originally named Watab Pulp and Water before having its name changed to St. Regis Paper Mill in 1946 and then taking on two other name changes before finally settling on Verso Paper Mill in 2006.
Pearson’s father would walk the train tracks to work every day, and when winter arrived, the trains would clear the area, making the trek easier for his father. He was eventually transferred to the mill’s wright shop and worked there as a machinist until his retirement.
The paper mill used river water as its power source, thanks to a hydroelectric dam constructed right by the mill. During his senior year of high school, Pearson soon learned the mill needed a lot of help. He bought himself a car, and his school would let him leave 15 minutes earlier so he could make it to work. He worked from 3:30-11:30 p.m. every night during that year, making the same amount of money as his father did that year.
After graduating, Pearson signed up for a full-time job in the paper-testing labs before joining the U.S. Air Force that fall. After serving for four years on active duty, he returned to Sartell to raise his family and continued working at the paper mill until his children graduated. Pearson now lives in Foley and operates a hobby farm with his wife.
Yes, alas, that grand old paper mill was destroyed by an explosion and fire, and now just its ghost lingers. But its memory is still fresh as yesterday among the people who used to work there. They often say it was the best place to work in the entire St. Cloud area. And just about everybody knew someone or had a family member who was, at one time or another, employed at that mill. It served not just as an unforgettable place to work but as a communal hub for residents far and wide.
Neil Pearson of Foley grew up in Sartell and, along with his father, worked at the Sartell paper mill. He and others shared nostalgic memories at a paper-mill remembrance event Sept. 30 at the Sartell Community Center.
People gathered in small chat groups Sept. 30 to reminisce about the good old days when the Sartell paper mill was a thriving place in Sartell – as an economic bedrock and a good place to work and earn a decent living. The remembrance event took place Sept. 30 at the Sartell Community Center.
Newspaper headlines practically screamed the news about the catastrophe of the Sartell paper mill explosion, fire and ultimate closing. Such headlines bore testament to what a landmark and workplace that plant was, not just for Sartell but for the entire central Minnesota area.
