Martin Luther College Students Present Research on New Ulm's Gilded Age Economic Development
Students from Martin Luther College (MLC) presented research at the Brown County Historical Society annex, detailing how local schools, milling operations, manufacturing firms, and agricultural processing plants contributed to a thriving regional economy in New Ulm, Minnesota, during the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. The research, organized through Professor Peter Baganz's history elective course, involved four undergraduate students who shared presentations supported by primary documents. Senior Sydney Buch discussed the evolution of New Ulm's public school system, emphasizing education's role in industrialization. Senior August Wall focused on agriculture and milling, highlighting the era as a "golden age for farming" with significant enterprises like the Eagle Roller Mill. Sophomore Nathan Sauer explored the industrial footprint of the New Ulm Manufacturing Company, which persevered through challenges like fires and later secured a substantial contract with the U.S. Navy and Marines during World War I...
