by Dennis Dalman
Renowned historian Bill Morgan is seeking old photos taken in Sartell for a book he is writing about the city’s history.
Morgan is a retired St. Cloud State University American studies professor and author of many books on local history, including the two-volume “Earth, Wood, Stone: Central Minnesota Landscapes” and “Salt Lantern; Traces of an American Family,” which was nominated for the Minnesota Book Award. Morgan, an expert on architectural styles, has also been a newspaper columnist, writing about local history.
For his new book, Morgan is asking that local people rummage through their old-photo collections so he can get copies of any Sartell photos of people and places they may have. He is seeking photos taken in the 19th Century and in the 20th Century up until 1940. The photos can be personal “snapshot” types.
The main thrust of the new book will be about how the city developed from a riverbank landing and village into a thriving town. Morgan will also write about the various architectural styles of homes and buildings throughout the many decades.
Morgan can be contacted at wtmorgan@stcloudstate.edu.
