Anamoose History

In 1893, the Soo Line Railroad Company was expanding their line and hired many people to help them lay steel and ties. Among these people were many Chippewa Indians who often noticed a dog that roamed the area. They spoke often of the dog in their native language and began referring to this area as “Anamoose”. Although the pronunciation has changed some, the meaning remains the same. Anamoose means dog in Chippewa.

The train would pass here at 4:00 am and 12:00 noon. Anyone wanting to travel by train used a lantern to stop the train. The lantern was waved back and forth across the tracks until the engineer would toot the whistle to let the intended passenger know he had seen the signal and was stopping.

The only residence in 1893 was that of the Section Forman, William McNamara, and his family. They lived in the house that is now Billy Vetsch’s, on the north side of the tracks. This house served as a home for the foreman and his family, the depot, and a Café. During the day, the dining room was used for meals for the railroad men and at night the tables were shoved aside and the men made beds on the floor with straw and blankets. From 1893-97 all there was of Anamoose was the Section House, a sidetrack and a stockyard. William McNamara and his wife had Anamoose’s first baby in 1897. The years from 1897-99 were when the most settlers came to our community.

During the next few years many new businesses were built which included a General Mercantile and Hardware store, Post Office, Livery Stable, Depot, two Elevators and a Hotel. Later a Lumber Yard and a Harness Shop were built as well as an Implement Store.

In the year 1898, there was a large prairie fire West of Anamoose that burned for several hundred miles. A rancher living a mile west of town built a fire break 100 feet wide from the railroad track West of his house down to the water in the lake South of town. It saved most of the town, but burned some stores and houses in the community.

Over the next few years’ three banks were built. The McHenry County Bank, Anamoose National Bank and the Farmers State Bank. The school was built and started between 1899-1900. The first Graduating Class we in 1911 with two students. Anamoose became a Class B school in 1911 after the Athletics Dept. was started. We were the Anamoose Royals until 1986. We went through a process over the next few years with our co-op schools to become the Raiders!

By 1915 Anamoose had a population 669 and was growing. At one time we had a Bowling Alley, a Drug Store, three Cafes, three Grocery Stores, a Theater, Photographer and Jeweler. We had two Doctors and a Veterinarian, Attorney, three Banks, two farm implement dealers, a Land Office and the Grand Opera House. There was also a Funeral Director, Four Gas Stations, and two Garages. There was a Shoe Repair and a Hardware Store, two Barber Shops, two Beauty Parlors, a Creamery and ever so much more. Over the years, we have seen many businesses close their doors, but to those of us who remain here, this is our town and we LOVE IT!

Anamoose History writings by Helen Rice Nolden
Click here to read a poem/song written by Henry Bartz about the early settlers of Anamoose