The first Methodist Church, constructed in 1880.

Unity Methodist Church built in 1905.

The Methodist Church was organized in 1880 and continued to be the only church here until 1901. In 1905 it was totally destroyed by a tornado. The construction of a new edifice began that summer. The basement was completed and services were held there the first year. The building was constructed of white brick with large colored windows. It was completed and dedicated in 1908. This was in use until in 1964 when because of the decline in membership, the congregation decided to disband and join neighborhood churches. The building was torn down that year. During its earlier years the congregation was very active having several societies within its membership such as the Youth Fellowship, Ladies’ Aid, and Men’s Club. They sponsored many public events to help finance their budget.

The opportunities of this area attracted many of the Scandinavian race to settle here. In 1900, due primarily to the language barrier, they decided to form a church of their own. The Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church was built in 1901. The congregation did not have a resident pastor until 1921. In the year previous the church was reorganized into the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. Rev. J. A. Olson became pastor in 1927 and labored here until his death in November 1949. His sucessors have been Rev. A. Almquist, Rev. C. Vander Stoep, Rev. Robert Langseth, Rev. Robert Sutherland, and the present pastor, Rev. James Primley.

Christ Disciple Church was organized by 1909. This was not a large congregation. It disbanded many years ago. The building was torn down and the land is now used for the school parking lot.

Christ Disciple Church.

Scandinavian Lutheran Church built in 1901.

Present Trinity Lutheran Church.

As we follow the progress made by the community, we know all were concerned with the education of the youth. It was decided to build a larger school in a more central location.

The last class to graduate from the "old" school was in 1910. Members of the class were: Herman Francen, Ted Allain, Carl Nelson, Hilda Johnson (Justman), Walby Johnson (Gerdes), and Elizabeth Salter (Eby).

Classes began that fall in the new school which had been erected just south of our present buildings. This fine two story building served the community for fifty years, graduating many fine young people.

In 1954 our high school department was discontinued as we had consolidated with the Colby school district. The building was used by the lower grades until 1960. We now have a well equipped elementary school with grades K-6 inclusive. It is staffed by well trained personnel and offers a full curriculum to the children of this community.

Elementary School.

Unity folks were friendly people and entered into any social activity the settlement had. In the early days gatherings were held in their homes.

In 1882 the Odd Fellows Lodge was started, and the ladies organized the Rebekahs. Others followed; the Masons, Modern Woodmen, the Royal Neighbors, to mention a few. All have been discontinued, the Royal Neighbors being the last to disband. In 1971 members transferred to the Colby Camp. Mrs. Leonard Nickel has been a member for 57 years.

Today’s residents are active in their respective church and school organizations. There are three Homemaker Clubs in the area. It was through the interest and efforts of the Maplewood Homemakers Club the present Senior Citizens Club was organized in 1969. The Senior Citizens have meetings monthly in the Memorial Hall. They now have a membership of 32. Herman Francen is the President.

When the Businessmen’s Association disbanded the Commercial Club was organized. Their purpose is to promote progress in the village. For the past ten years they have sponsored a statewide horse pulling contest here. This has been a financial success for them. As funds have become available, they have used them to promote industrial growth.

An organization of long standing in the community is the Otto H. Kops American Legion Post. This was formed soon after World War I by the veterans. Soon after an Auxiliary was organized. Regular meetings are held and they contribute to civic projects in the area. The American flags that are displayed on the main street on patriotic days are donated by the Post.

In 1919 a Boy Scout troop was organized. Chester Perschke was the leader. He resigned the following year and Rev. Raymond Fleming, Pastor of the M.E. Church, accepted the leadership of the boys. When after two years he returned to college, the school principal, Otto Herbert, became the leader. He was followed by Sewell Cook. Later there was a loss of interest and the troop disbanded.

In 1945 the boys of the area asked "Bunk" Creed if he would help them organize a scout troop. He was successful in getting help from other men of the village and the troop was organized. Creed was Scoutmaster for about fifteen years. It was during these years the troop won many awards in Scouting skills at the district meetings. Six scouts earned the Eagle award: Delbert Purkis, Robert Messer; Dennis, Douglas, Terry, and Jeff Cook. In 1950 Creed and Gilbert Widenhoeft, Jr. attended the Boy Scout National Jamboree at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Creed retired and his successors have been the late Gilbert Widenhoeft, Sr., Rod Fuller, and Delbert Purkis.

Prior to 1956, Girl Scout troops had been organized but due to lack of interest and adult leadership, they were soon disbanded. In 1956 a troop of Scouts and Brownies were organized. Mrs. Calvin Peterson acted as leader of the Brownies and Miss Joan Schopper of the Scouts. These troops were very active for about ten years. Louellen Loughead attended the Girl Scout National Round-up at Button Bay, Vermont in 1962. Other ladies who were leaders were: Mrs. Wm. Schultz, Mrs. Leon Jost, Mrs. Corwin Dallmann, and Mrs. Leo Bloom.

We also have a Garden Club in the community. This club is affiliated with the State and National organizations. Anne Yahr, whose interests have been in flowers and home beautification, organized the club in 1959 and served as the President for twelve years. Each year the members plant and care for the many flower gardens in the village park. Their aim is: each home beautified creates a beautiful village.

The post office was the first public service offered the pioneer families, it being the Creed home. It is noted that whenever a new store was established, the post office was transferred to it and the owner became the postmaster. This practice continued for many years.

A building was moved to the present site and it became the post office. D. K. Hall was the first postmaster in the new office. E. L. Messer was appointed to the office in 1910 and served until 1934 when Nyole Creed, (the grandson of Edmund Creed), was appointed and was postmaster until 1969.

In 1951 the building that had escaped two fires was torn down and replaced by our present office. Ansel Messer, (son of E. L. Messer), is the present postmaster.

Banking services were offered to the community about 1905. An office was in a section of the Kuehnau furniture store. Mr. L. De Vaud was the first cashier and John Powers, the assistant.

In 1909 the present building was built and the Unity State Bank organized. During the years it was merged with the Colby State Bank and recently they consolidated with the Security State Bank of Colby. It is now a branch office of that organization.

Many of us recall the employees who have served this bank as cashiers; namely, S. J. Falck, Frank Bloczynski, Melvin Tennis, and Corwin Dallmann, who is now Executive Vice-President of the organization.

One of the landmarks of the earlier days is the cheese factory (Milk Products Co.). This was started in 1906 and has been in operation since. Former owners were J. Koch, O. Rhodes, L. P. Talpin, and the present owner, Harry Mandel who has been here since 1941. Mr. Mandel has made many changes in operation and has remodeled the building.

Another business place that has been in constant use since 1909 is Ray’s Market. We remember it as the Mercantile Store. Martin Hellstad owned it for many years. Graham Thayer owned it for a short time and sold it to the late Gilbert Wiedenhoeft who remodeled it and combined a meat processing operation with it. He operated it until his death in 1970.

Ayer’s Store has also served as a grocery store through the years. Some of its previous owners were: J. Salter, F. Neuling, Langjahr Bros., Ted. Domer, Bob Spencer, Roy Justman, Jr., Leo Bloom, Warren Talcott, and the present owner is Mel Ayer.

Most of us can recall the many faithful merchants who have served this community. Time and space does not permit a detailed account of each. We are all appreciative of their service to our community.

The St. Croix Corporation, a small plant that made fish poles, began operations here about twenty years ago. Their business grew rapidly, giving employment to many in this area. They operated here about six years when due to lack of facilities, they moved their plant elsewhere. This was a setback to the economy of the village. Once again, men left to seek work away from here.

Unity State Bank 1909.

Unity State bank

Cashier – S.J. Falck; Asst. Cashier – J. Powers. Customers Martin Hellstead and Myrtle Falck.

Wilderness Campers

Dallman Plastics

During the past ten years there has been new interest in progress. The Commercial Club erected a building and were instrumental in bringing the Wilderness Campers industry here. Two other small plants are now in operation; Dallmann’s Plastics and Modern Sleep Products, the latter a subsidiary of a Marshfield plant. There is a newly developed trailer court and a new garage and repair shop. The newest business offers the accommodations of a Laundromat, car wash, and self service gas pump; these are housed in the former Shell station. These new industries were build by enterprising citizens of the community.

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