We are in Brainerd, MN, for a couple of days. We thought it would be fun to see where my great grandfather and family lived for a time. Gary has done a lot of research on both his and my ancestors. And I have newspaper clippings and other source data that my mom collected. Plus there is other research available online.
We know that my maternal great grandfather, William Elias Steel, and his wife Elva Proud, lived in Brainerd for a period of time in the 1870s and 1880s. We have an approximate address where they lived. Gary does not believe that the house still exists - probably now a Super America gas station. But anyway..... My maternal grandfather, Harry B Steel Sr. was born here in Brainerd. William was in real estate sales, probably connected with the railroad which, of course, as all railroads, owned a lot of land. We saw the residential neighborhoods that were platted in an early map we found of Brainerd, and William was selling these residential lots.
Here are a few photos of the area today.
Historic home probably built after William and family departed. I think they had moved to the Pacific Northwest when this house was built. We know that Harry didn't live here very long. This house is now an Aveda salon. Quite a house!
Looking at the block where the Steel family lived.
Old school right across the street from the block.
Another house of the era
