Artist Nancy Nelson has a long history in Garretson, going all the way back to pioneer days. Despite living in Mountain Lake, northwest of Windom, for many years, she still has a deep connection to the community.
Recently, she painted a few scenes of Garretson based on old photos, recreating an early 20th century downtown, the Bathhouse and dam at Split Rock Park, and the jump bridge at Devils Gulch. Nelson has pledged to donate half the proceeds from the sale of the prints to the Garretson Area Historical Society.
Nelson’s parents were Oscar Kermit Nelson and Emy Lou Amundson Nelson, and is the great-granddaughter of pioneers Jonas Petten and Carlita Nelson, who settled in the Dakota Territory, 4 miles west of Garretson, in the late 1880s after traveling overseas from Sweden. Emy Lou was a beautician in Sioux Falls in the 1950’s and beyond, and the museum in Garretson has an old perm machine she used.
The prints will be available for purchase through the museum, or by contacting Judy Hanson at 366-4736 or Rachel Danielson at 929-1354. The museum will be open this Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
