Nobles County Minnesota Historical Society

Nobles County Minnesota Historical Society Nonprofit organization devoted to preserving and interpreting the artifacts and history of Nobles Co

The Nobles County Historical Society is now located in the historic 100-year-old Worthington Armory building. Its mission is to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret the history of Nobles County MNand its people. In fulfilling its mission, the society collects documents, manuscripts, photographs and three-dimensional objects, including those from contiguous areas that interact with the county.

The Society also operates a Pioneer Village typical of small communities in the Midwest at the beginning of the 20th Century.

ISN'T THAT SOMETHING?This column by Ray Crippen was originally published in the Daily Globe June 7, 2003.
06/12/2026

ISN'T THAT SOMETHING?
This column by Ray Crippen was originally published in the Daily Globe June 7, 2003.

WILLKOMMEN!Last evening, a delegation of 14 from Worthington's Sister City of Crailsheim, Germany, arrived for a visit. ...
06/11/2026

WILLKOMMEN!

Last evening, a delegation of 14 from Worthington's Sister City of Crailsheim, Germany, arrived for a visit. They will be here for the Worthington Windsurfing Regatta and Unvarnished Music Festival, staying in host homes and also visiting some local businesses and industry.

Worthington "adopted" Crailsheim in the aftermath of World War II in 1947, sending food, clothing, seeds and many other items to help out the recovering German city that had been largely destroyed by bombing. The relationship has continued for 79 years and many close friendships have been formed.

I believe the very first Crailsheimer to visit Worthington was Armin Ziegler, who came in the fall of 1948 to study journalism at Worthington Junior College. Prior to that, Ziegler had written several guest articles for the Worthington Globe, introducing his community and its people to those in Minnesota who had extended a helping hand.

This week, we again celebrate this amazing partnership and extend a hand of welcome to the visitors from Crailsheim.

The photo shown here was taken in March 1949, during a Worthington reception at which some souvenir items from Germany were displayed. Ziegler is at left, shown talking with Mrs. Fred Koster.

IT'S PROGRAM DAY!You really don't want to miss it. Come by and learn about the American Revolution!
06/10/2026

IT'S PROGRAM DAY!

You really don't want to miss it. Come by and learn about the American Revolution!

TOMORROW! TOMORROW! TOMORROW!Be there or be square.
06/09/2026

TOMORROW! TOMORROW! TOMORROW!

Be there or be square.

TUESDAY TREASURES!When was the last time you tried to type on a manual typewriter? Not a computer keyboard. Not even an ...
06/09/2026

TUESDAY TREASURES!

When was the last time you tried to type on a manual typewriter? Not a computer keyboard. Not even an electric typewriter.
A manual typewriter.
It isn't easy. It takes some finger muscles.

This particular manual typewriter is part of the educational collection at Nobles County Historical Society. It is a Black Royal Aristocrat typewriter.

What makes it unique is that it has "U.S. Army" embossed on the carriage.

Where did it come from? We don't know. It is one of those "found in collection" items for which we have no paperwork, no provenance.

WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY!Don't miss it!
06/08/2026

WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY!

Don't miss it!

ADVERTISING ...Today's advertisement, from the Globe of June 1916, is not for a local business, but instead for the stat...
06/08/2026

ADVERTISING ...

Today's advertisement, from the Globe of June 1916, is not for a local business, but instead for the state prison, where they evidently welcomed visitors who were not of the criminal type. It caught my eye and thought it was interesting enough to share.

ANNALS OF LOCAL HISTORY!The "Tidbits" section of the Globe of 110 years ago makes for an interesting read ...Ole Nystrom...
06/07/2026

ANNALS OF LOCAL HISTORY!

The "Tidbits" section of the Globe of 110 years ago makes for an interesting read ...

Ole Nystrom bought a new Buick ....
Heavy rain and hail happened, but no damage ...
The Worthington Garage installed an automatic gasoline vendor ...
The bandstand on Third Avenue got a new coat of paint...
Worthington had a 15-minute blackout ...
The night train didn't arrive until the afternoon ...

And much more. Read all about it here.

SEASONAL SATURDAY!It's the season for hanging out in the park!Both these photos show the checkerboard game that was once...
06/06/2026

SEASONAL SATURDAY!

It's the season for hanging out in the park!

Both these photos show the checkerboard game that was once a feature in Worthington's Chautauqua Park. Do you remember playing this game? Where was it located in the park? Did you have to get the checkers from the park superintendent's cabin?

Well, guess what! The checkerboard is being brought back, thanks to the efforts of the Early Risers Kiwanis Club. A cement pad for the new version was poured earlier this week on the west side of the park, near the horseshoe pits and basketball court.

The top photo appeared in the Daily Globe on July 1, 1952. The other photo, of the two girls sitting on the game squares, is supposedly from 1947, although it didn't appear in the newspaper that I can find, and the girls' attire seems to be from a more recent era than 1947.

Here's the caption for the top photo:

CHECKER CHAMPS
James Biegler and Gary Small took turns recently jumping around the giant checkerboard in Chautauqua Park. The board is but one of many recreational facilities available to youngers in southwestern MInnesota's and northwestern Iowa's favorite picnic spot. (Daily Globe photo)

Address

225 Ninth Street
Worthington, MN
56187

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4am
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+15072955397

Website

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