Main Street businesses in the rural Midwest have changed dramatically over the past half century as buying habits have evolved. This project seeks to collect oral histories with current and past business owners in West Central Minnesota, focusing on communities in Morris, Benson, and Ortonville. The goal of this project is to learn how rural Main Streets have changed over the decades, how individual businesses have evolved or stayed the same, and what part local businesses play in rural communities.
This activity is supported by the University of Minnesota’s Institute for Advanced Study as a Research and Creative Collaborative.
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John Amundson Interview, 2025
John Amundson and John Barber
John Amundson, owner of John's Total Entertainment, discusses his store in Morris, Minnesota, as well as other Main Street businesses in Morris.
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Judy Beckman Interview, 2025
Judy Beckman and Jason Frank
Judy Beckman discusses businesses and Main Street in Ortonville, Minnesota.
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Carol Day Interview, 2025
Carol Day, Seth Schmidt, and LeAnn Dean
Carol Day shares her history as a teacher in Morris Schools and the history of the businesses of the area. She talks about how things have changed in the last 75 years in Morris.
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Bart Finzel Interview, 2025
Bart D. Finzel and Stephen Gross
In this oral history, Bart Finzel discusses labor economics as it relates to Morris, Minnesota. He discusses changes in Main Street, larger economics trends, and globalization.
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Rodger Jeska Interview, 2025
Rodger Jeska and Mark Denson
Rodger Jeska discusses his car mechanic business in Ortonville, Minnesota, as well as the use of the space for Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
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Olga Kroening Interview, 2025
Olga Kroening and Seth Schmidt
Olga Kroening, born in 1927, discusses the history of business in the region. She discusses her life growing up in rural Donnelly and her employment at the West Central School of Agriculture (WCSA) as well.
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Matt Lhotka Interview, 2025
Matt Lhotka and Lex Lhotka
Matt Lhotka talks about his restaurant the Old No. 1 and about Main Street in Morris, Minnesota.
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Greg Lockwood Interview, 2025
Greg Lockwood and Jason Frank
Greg Lockwood discusses his business Ortonville Mercantile and Gallery in Ortonville, Minnesota.
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Del Sarlette Interview, 2025
Del Sarlette and Seth Schmidt
Del Sarlette, owner of Sarlettes Music, discusses the music store and Main Street business in Morris, MN.
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LaRae Wellendorf Interview, 2025
LaRae Wellendorf and Jason Frank
LaRae Wellendorf discusses her father's welding shop in Ortonville, Minnesota, as well as Main Street business in Ortonville.