Local history: The City of Hanover

Mary Coons is also the author of “Safe from the Outside World,” a history book on Hanover, “Planks of History,” a book about the historic pedestrian bridge, the Crow River, and some other river-related history. The excerpts of information are from her multiple writings.

The Vollbrecht brothers

In 1856, two years prior to Minnesota statehood, two adventurous brothers from Klausdahl, Germany (near Hannover, Germany), bid farewell to their homeland in search of a better life.

Jacob Vollbrecht was the first to arrive in Hanover, Minnesota originally Vollbrecht Mills, and homesteaded 160 acres on both sides of the Crow River. He then wrote to his brother, William, who was in Atlanta, Georgia, to come north.

William made his way to Vollbrecht Mills two years after his brother and lived out the remainder of his life in the town until he passed away at the age of 70, and Jacob also remained in Hanover until he passed in 1894 at 73 years old.

Becoming Hanover

   The small community, who’s first business was a blacksmith shop (as Jacob was both a blacksmith and ironworker), did not become Hanover until much later. After completing the mandated documented town population counts necessary for incorporation (the town had a population of 206), and holding the incorporation election on October 9, 1891, Hanover officials presented a petition to the Wright County commissioners to officially be incorporated as the Village of Hanover. Vollbrecht selected the name in commemoration of his German birthplace.

   By the early 1900s, Hanover grew to nearly 350 residents, and less than 10 years later, the Great Northwest Magazine (Dec. 1909) proclaimed Hanover as “the brightest inland city with its cement sidewalks, electric lights, water power, graded streets, and live, energetic, pushing and progressive set of businessmen.”

The historic bridge

   A popular location in Hanover is the iron truss bridge that crosses over the Crow River. The Vollbrecht brothers spearheaded the effort to build bridges that would withstand the river’s spring water levels. The iron truss bridge was constructed in 1885 with the Morse Bridge Co. designers.

   This truss-style bridge, developed by architect Caleb Pratt and his son, Thomas, an engineer, was popular because of the low cost of construction and building. It became the standard design well into the 20th century, and Hanover’s bridge ties with another as the eighth-oldest Pratt truss bridge in Minnesota.

   Hanover’s bridge was placed on the Federal Register of Historic Places in December 1979. On Sept. 10, 1973, the Hanover City Council made and passed a resolution to close the bride to vehicle traffic, and it now serves as a pedestrian bridge and backdrop to many Hanover community events.

In the spotlight

Throughout the years, Hanover has experienced some memorable events, from gangster John Dillinger coming to town in the 30s, the new, state-of-the-art wooden bridge collapsing in 1965 during spring flooding, celebrating the 125th anniversary of the historic iron truss bridge in 2010, and even hosting Hollywood production crews as they filmed scenes for “The Convincer” in 2011.

Today, Hanover’s population sits well under 3,500, but the small community is steadily growing and continuing to expand. As Mary Coons stated in “Safe from the Outside World: A Social History of Hanover, Minnesota”:

“Hanover may not have swelled its borders or evolved into a large booming town on the prairie, and although there are few original structures remaining, she does have plenty of cultural resources worthy of preservation packed within her slim frame. Counted among these riches are many of the first heritage farmlands, wetlands and open spaces, the Crow River with its iron truss bridge, architectural craftsmanship featuring interior and exterior facades, events and livelihoods of significant persons associated with her history, and a varied legacy of educational/cultural artifacts and testimony.”