CIVIL DEFENSE

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WORLD WAR II
 

Civil Defense was a concern during World War II, even in landlocked Minnesota. The 1942 directory gave a column to the St. Louis Park Civilian Defense Council, Inc.  It stated that all Civil Defense duties were set up by order of the Governor, Harold Stassen.  Chairman of the council was Dr. L.V. Downing.  There were two Vice-Chairmen, and then the Directors, who were in charge of air wardens, fire protection, police protection, employment, human skills and resources, welfare (with Mrs. Arthur Nelson chairman of Women's Activities), industrial resources, and utilities. 

The 1942 piece also talked about the "Salvage for Victory" program, chaired by Mr. Francis Bradley, president of the Village garbage company, Suburban Sanitary Drayage.  The company donated equipment and manpower for this effort, which was the only source of income for the Council.  A photo depicted metal garbage cans labeled "Wrapped Garbage" and "Washed Cans and Scrap Metals."  There were also magazines, papers, and rags.

On September 11, 1942, Minneapolis held its first blackout, which lasted half an hour. Another test blackout that was held for the entire Metropolitan area, took place on October 14, 1942 from 9:30 to 10 pm.
 

Also in 1942, over 700 Park citizens attended a civil defense rally, and air raid wardens and first aid workers were given their instructions.
 

In May 1943, Minnesota staged a "semi-surprise" blackout test. For 30 minutes, somewhere between 9 and 11 pm., every light in Minnesota was to be extinguished, except those necessary for war industries. The test was to be initiated by steady blasts of sirens and whistles and by turning out the streetlights. Radio stations would announce the "all clear." R.W. Hollander, Chairman, Hennepin County Civilian Defense, warned:

It is a deadly serious test to prepare all civilians and civil authorities for prompt and efficient action if and when enemy bombers should appear over this area. Military authorities recently have stated the Twin Cities and Detroit areas are more likely to be attacked than either the East or West coast. It is the duty of every citizen to be prepared.

A May 29, 1943 article in the St. Louis Park Spectator described another exercise:

Park Village Hall Damaged in Raid
Creosote Plant Wrecked, Edina School and Theatre Damaged by Bombs

The article described how the railroad tracks and grain elevators were severely damaged by an air attack over Hennepin County. It also criticized the military authorities for not providing Minnesota with anti-aircraft guns or defending planes. Actually, planes did fly overhead (manned by the Civil Air Patrol) and items were dropped – red and blue pasteboard boxes. The officials were pleased with the result of their make-believe attack, although the article also reported that children kept at their games and women continued in their victory gardens during the “air raid.”

The location of the Twin Cities so far inland from either coast prevented any major expansion of industry in the area.

The 1944 directory listed the members of the St. Louis Park Civilian Defense Council, Inc., Dr. L. V. Downing, Chairman.  In addition to the directors and their duties, the piece list Victory Aides, chaired by Mrs. A.E. Melbourne, with mrs. Earl Ainsworth as Vice Chairman. 

THE COLD WAR

Between the years 1945 and 1992 the United States government conducted 1,030 nuclear tests. 210 were classified as atmospheric tests, 815 were detonated underground, and 5 were exploded underwater. 100 atmospheric tests and 804 underground tests were detonated at the Nevada Test Site. Since July 1962, all test bombs have been detonated underground.

1951

The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949, and the Cold War was on. In 1951, the Minnesota Civil Defense Act established a State agency.

Don Whalen was Park’s Director of Civil Defense in 1951. He exuded a sense of urgency, chiding the many people who “still believe that bomb shelters, first aid, and preparedness against bombs is a lot of silly talk.”

Some comfort must have come from the 1951 news item: “A-Bomb in Minneapolis Loop Would Kill No Park Residents,” according to the Minneapolis health commissioner.

1953

Park adopted Ordinance No. 409 on February 2, 1953 that provided for a Director of Civil Defense to be responsible for plans and direction of the civil defense organization of City. The purpose of civil defense organizing preparedness in the event of invasion by hostile aircraft or forces, or in the event of natural disasters. Director was Ralph J. LaHue. Eventually there were committees such as Protective Services, Plant Protection and Evacuation, Mass Feeding, and Radiology. Over 300 volunteers were involved.

One of LaHue’s first purchases was CD Warden Training Kit “A,” authorized in March. At first, the abandoned Veterans housing along Highway 100 was used to store CD materials.

An early indication of the perceived threat was a Civil Defense drill (dubbed “Exercise Neighbor”), held in Minneapolis and the suburbs on October 20, 1953.

1954

The CD office was located at 5720 W. 37th Street. Director LaHue purchased a “trickle charger” for $10.63, and received a gift of a pneolator from the American Legion in December.

Land and buildings on the so-called “Stageberg Property” were either bought from or donated by the Stageberg family. The property ran 350 ft. on 28th St. and 300 ft on Joppa. The property included a large house and other buildings. In 1954 it became the Civil Defense Training Center, remodeled by Prof. Joseph Wise, engineer. It is now Fern Hill Park and Torah Academy.

The CD Office had to submit all bills directly to the Village Council. Among them were the films “And a Voice Shall be Heard,” “Operation Doorstep,” and “Effects of Atomic Weapons.” Several people were hired and equipment ordered.

The League of Women Voters noted:  "This is an item of very current interest, both local and national.  A basic training of 5 evenings is being given at the present time to limited numbers who will be the instructors of larger classes.  Other specialized field of training have started."

1955

A big civil defense demonstration was conducted on February 24, 1955, when residents were invited to watch 50 volunteers battle fire and teargas to rescue victims. The drill, conducted by the CD rescue squad along with fire and police reserves, took place at the Civil Defense Corps headquarters. An old stable at the Stageberg property was ignited and volunteer victims were placed in upper stories of the HQ building, lowered through windows on stretchers. Tear gas was used to familiarize the men with their gas masks. The house on the Stageberg property was wrecked in October 1955.

On April 26, an atom bomb was exploded at a test site at Yucca Flat, Nevada, which had opened the year before The TV Guide describes its coverage as follows:

Monday, April 25

Today Program originates from bomb area
Morning Show:  Preview of blast coverage
Home:  Inspection of two houses at the scene of the blast
News Caravan:  Swayze tours target area

Tuesday, April 26
Today Program originates from bomb area
The blast itself (6 am)

Home:  Hugh Downs, Kit Kinne, Howard Whitman describe reactions
News Caravan:  Color film of blast

Wednesday, April 27
Today:  Garroway takes a pre-dawn look at after-effects
Tour of the target area
Home:  Downs, Kinne, Whitman inspect damage inflicted on houses

In March 1955, the St. Louis Park City Council had appropriated $275 for Civil Defense Director Ralph LaHue to attend the blast.

1956

In 1956, the State of Minnesota Civil Defense Department distributed a map of escape routes in case there was a need to evacuate the area. Studying the map carefully "may help save the lives of you and your family in event of a Civil Defense emergency or a natural disaster." Evacuation would take place when "enemy attack is thought imminent..." Different sirens, bells, and lights were explained, and citizens were instructed to go at least 50 miles out of the city.

The City Council authorized the demolition of the old Bothnam house on 288th St. west of Fern Hill.  The building was purchased for $14,000 as a proposed civil defense area training ground.  The property covered a third of the block.  The building was razed because it sat on a high hill and "has been a 'trouble spot' for youngsters."  Cost to raze it was estimated at $1,000.  

1957

Civil defense activity escalated when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite, on October 4, 1957. Sputnik was the size of a beach ball, weighed 184 pounds, emitted a beeping sound, and orbited the earth every ninety minutes. Sputnik 2, carrying cosmodog Laika, was sent into orbit on November 3, 1957. The scary part about Sputnik was not the satellites themselves but the missiles, which could propel nuclear warheads as easily as dogs.

1958

In March 1958, the Brookside PTA advertised a civil defense program with a flier entitled CHILDREN! EVACUATION! The program featured Mr. Leonard Jones. “Hear the plan for a Trial Run of Evacuation of St. Louis Park Children. Learn where and how your child will be sent to safety.” The Director of the Civil Defense Organizations of St. Louis Park was Andy B. Bjornson. That January the CD office had been moved out of City Hall.

That May, a mock evacuation drill was planned by the local CD organization and the railroads. Children from six elementary schools and the Junior and Senior High were to march to nearby railroad tracks to test the evacuation plan. Students were not to be taken to their dispersal points by the trains. Students from Aquila, Eliot, and Cedar Manor were slated to be evacuated to Ortonville and Bird Island. Students from Lenox were to take the MNS to Lake Crystal. Students from Fern Hill and Ethel Baston were to take the M&St.L to Bird Island and Renville. The previous week, students from Holy Family (M&St.L to Fairfax) and Most Holy Trinity (M&St.L to Lake Crystal) also participated in the mock evacuation.

In October, an "allout" Civil Defense drill was staged at Knollwood Plaza. 

1959

A March 19, 1959 headline asked “What would you do if H-Bomb Blasted Into Area Tomorrow?” Again there was a clip and save map, instructing all Parkites to head west, either on Highway 12, Minnetonka Blvd., or Highway 7. (Apparently Excelsior Blvd. was too small a road back then.)

On May 1, 1959, 2,000 school children from the high school, junior high, Benilde, Holy Family, Fern Hill, Brookside, and Most Holy Trinity participated in a real-life civil defense drill. At 1pm they were marched down the railroad tracks and loaded into waiting boxcars. The plan was to ship the kids out of town, and the parents would somehow know ahead of time where they were going.

1961

1961 was a huge year for Civil Defense. A 1961 Dispatch headline proclaimed “Kennedy’s Talk Leads to CD Interest.” On August 3, an entire page was devoted to articles and pictures pertaining to civil defense, including one of high school students crouched in front of their lockers. Headline: “Be Prepared – But be Prepared to Accept the Worst.” On October 5, a two-page spread about building family fallout shelters was ringed with ads from banks offering financing. The next week, the two-page spread featured ads by builders, concrete block makers, and purveyors of transistor radios.

On November 21, 1961, a Brookside PTA meeting program was held: “Civil Defense – is it sense or nonsense?” The speaker was Mr. Norris Lokensgard, who provided basic facts of nuclear blast and radioactive fallout effects. That same year, John Sponsel of the PTA Survival Preparedness Committee provided information on the Brookside “walk home” exercise, which was intended to unite children with their families should short term warning of pending attack occur during school hours. This exercise probably did not take place, as the Superintendent of Schools asserted that he had no authority to request such drills.

There was, however Operation Alert, aimed particularly at the schools and Methodist Hospital. At 10am on the appointed day, Chief Engineer Henry Wirth threw the switch that transferred to hospital’s power to an emergency generator. With him were Park Civil Defense Director Andy Bjornson and Deputy Director Leonard Jones. At the schools, children streamed into the hallways, crouched in tight balls, and shielded their heads with heavy books.

Also in 1961, the city council approved an ordinance that called for waiving building permit fees for approved construction of civil defense fall-out shelters.

1962

The Cuban Missile Crisis of October, 1962 ratcheted up the threat of nuclear annihilation. Civil Defense activity, begun as early as 1949 and accelerated in 1957, was stepped up in response to the urgings of President Kennedy. Once again school children held drills in school basements and hallways and were marched to the railroad tracks for a practice evacuation.

1965
Civil Defense came under the administration of the City Manager.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.