150 Years of Osseo History Documented in New Book
The city of Osseo is celebrating 150 years this year. Its entire history is being commemorated in a 300-page book put together by volunteers.
Businesses Embrace History
A stroll down Central Avenue is a reminder of the city’s history. Many of the businesses have been there for as long as most residents can remember, while others have gone through many different names. Like The Black Cabin — once a paint and wallpaper store under a few different names — which is now a local art shop owned by Teresa Aho.
“Osseo is just really special because of the people and the businesses in town. Everyone has a story,” Aho said. “I have been coming to this store, as a paint store, when I was a kid. My brother and I used to play in the front window.”
Aho took over the shop with her uncle in 2014, eventually transitioning it to a paint and goods store. It’s filled with local art, like bowls and cups created by people from the area.
“I have almost 30 local makers in my shop, which is amazing. And not only that– we have one of the most local makers: the 150th book,” Aho said.
By 150th book, Aho means the “150-Year History of the City of Osseo” book, which is filled with photographs, history and memories from the city’s lifetime. Aho contributed a portion on her business and one of the hometown characters, “Osseo Al.” She said once she got the book, she enjoyed learning about what each business on Central Avenue once was.
“There are things that were there that I forgot about that I would come to as a kid,” Aho reflected. “I totally forgot about them, but seeing a picture brought back all those memories.”
Aho and Schneider look through the Osseo book. This page is about fires that have changed the city.
A Tale of One City
For Osseo’s 150-year celebration, a committee collected hundreds of moments, memories and stories from the city’s people. That same group then worked to compile all that information into a book. There are details about key moments, fires, businesses and people– all crowdsourced.
For planning committee member Ann Schneider, it was a labor of love.
“Part of why we like Osseo so much is that history,” Schneider said.
Throughout the book, there are sponsorships that tell their business’s own story. The committee took inspiration from the ads in the much-shorter 100th anniversary book, which went less in-depth.
“There are still a lot of businesses that are still around that were there in 1975,” Schneider said. “That says a lot, I think, about Osseo, too.”
Now, it’s on display– and for sale– by and for the people it documents. People can pick up their books at a number of businesses, as well as order it online through The Black Cabin. It’s for a suggested donation of $20. A full list of where shoppers can find the book is on the 15oth anniversary website.
The money earned from the book will go into funding more 150th celebration events.
“150-Year History of the City of Osseo” is for sale with a suggested donation of $20. It took years to collect information and assemble.
