Nobles County Minnesota Historical Society

09/10/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY!

King Turkey Day is next weekend, so it's time to share a few of the many photos that document Worthington's unique festival.

This photo has always been a favorite, showing the turkeys being paraded down the street, the throngs of people lining the streets, and those brave enough to perch on top of the downtown buildings to get a bird's-eye view.

In fact, a large canvas print of this photo is on the wall of the Nobles County Historical Society office.

AND, if you have some knowledge of King Turkey Day history, you might win a smaller version of that canvas print during Turkey Day Trivia on Monday afternoon!

TWO PRINTS from King Turkey Day past will go to the top two-person team in the Trivia challenge. There are some other awesome prizes up for grabs, too!

So show up on Monday afternoon for some Turkey Day FUN!

09/09/2026

FUN! FUN! FUN!

Join us for this extravaganza of TURKEY DAY TRIVIA! There are going to be amazing prizes for the top teams! Watch for prize details to come!

We are planning for this to be two-person teams, so bring along a friend or we will match you up with another attendee.

09/08/2026

TUESDAY TREASURES!

Worthington's King Turkey Day is only 11 days away. For those who are never quite sure which Saturday in September it is, KTD is always the second Saturday after Labor Day.

The banner pictured here is a special treasure that is currently part of a Turkey Day exhibit that is currently in the research room at the Nobles County Heritage Center, 225 Ninth St. We're not sure exactly when these banners appeared on the scene, but they were used by downtown merchants to promote the celebration. I know I have seen them in photos dating back to the 1950s, so this one is in pretty good shape considering its age.

Do you have a Turkey Day souvenir that you particularly treasure? Please share in the comments!

09/07/2026

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LABOR DAY?
This video explains the holiday to kids, but has some useful information for adults, too!

Did you know that there is a day set aside to celebrate workers? It...

09/07/2026

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT!

This advertisement is from the Sept. 2, 1926, Globe. At the time, several of Worthington's most prominent retail establishments were owned by Jewish people, and consequently they were closed for the holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in September.

09/06/2026

ANNALS OF LOCAL HISTORY!

So what was going on in Nobles County 105 years ago?

"Terse Tales of the Town" from the Worthington Globe of Sept. 1, 1921, gives a little glimpse into local life. Note the little bit of advertising thrown in between the tidbits!

09/05/2026

SEASONAL SATURDAY!

It's Labor Day weekend, and that means there is a big golf tournament going on at the former Worthington Country Club, now known as Great Life Worthington.

In the late 1950s and into the 1960s, the title was captured for four out of five years by Worthington's most famous golfer, Joel Goldstrand, shown here with some of his golfing hardware. I've included the writeups of his 1961 Labor Day win, as well as the story that went with this photo, when Goldstrand was headed off to military service shortly after that win.

09/04/2026

ISN'T THAT SOMETHING?

This column by Ray Crippen was originally published in the Sept. 9, 2000, Daily Globe.

09/03/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY!

I'm guessing there are a few alumni of Hi-Ho Nursery School in the audience. The photo and advertisement here are from August of 1964, when the preschool got its start. Amazingly, the enterprise still exists today!

Share your memories of Hi-Ho in the comments!

09/02/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Turkey Trivia is going to be SO MUCH FUN! Bring a friend and see who knows more about Worthington's fall festival!

THERE WILL BE PRIZES! COOL PRIZES!

AND REFRESHMENTS! TASTY TREATS!