Honoring the City of Newport's 125th Anniversary

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Mayor, City
Council, and residents of Newport, Minnesota, past and present on the
occasion of the city's 125th Anniversary.

Even before its incorporation as the village of Newport in 1889, the
city was a vibrant Mississippi River community with deep roots in
Minnesota history. Newport has always drawn its strength from the
people who live within it, and takes pride in its rich history and
natural beauty. According to the Washington County Historical Society,
Newport began as two separate settlements, one of which was called Red
Rock. It was settled by European immigrants shortly after the land was
purchased by the U.S. government in 1837 through treaties with the
Ojibwe and Dakota. The name Red Rock was derived from a red-painted
granite boulder, an unusual remnant likely deposited by retreating
glaciers. This rock, which has been moved several times, was held in
great reverence by the Dakota. Today the rock sits in front of Newport
United Methodist Church.

The area around the settlement of Red Rock became a place of
agriculture and commerce on the Mississippi River, as well as a major
gathering spot for Methodist camp meetings. The ``Red Rock Camp Ground
Association'' held meetings each July that drew single-day crowds of
20,000 people. Special steamboats and trains brought people from St.
Paul twice a day. By the 1880s, however, attendance began to decline
rapidly. After the city was incorporated, several successful companies
began operation in the city, including Farmer's Terminal Meat Packing
Company (Cudahy), the Farmer's Terminal State Bank and the Fritz Candy
Company.

In the 1950s Newport Plaza opened a new and dynamic chapter in retail
for the city. Today the shopping center with its signature red roof
continues to welcome local residents as well as travelers from nearby
Highway 61 for legendary home cooking at the North Pole restaurant and
for essential items from John Bartl Hardware.

125 years after it was founded, Newport is thriving. It is helping to
model sustainable and ecologically sound practices by participating in
Minnesota GreenStep Cities, a voluntary challenge, assistance and
recognition program to help cities achieve their environmental and
quality-of-life goals. Through the dedicated work of local elected
officials and residents, the community is a leader for other
communities in our state.

Fellowship and community involvement is essential to the prosperity
of any small town, and Newport boasts several outstanding examples of
community engagement, including its annual Pioneer Day celebration,
community garden, Veterans Memorial, and the Newport Public Library and
Community Center. Residents are constantly working to keep this river
community a desirable place to live and work.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to rise to pay tribute to residents of
Newport, Minnesota and its noble place in our state--past, present and
future--on the city's 125th anniversary.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source