Harmony in Fillmore County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Let's Have "Harmony"
The Biggest Little Town in Southern Minnesota
Photographed by McGhiever, October 5, 2025
1. Let's Have "Harmony" Marker
Construction in Harmony
The new Village Town Hall was built in 1935, at a cost of $4,000, and was completed in late summer. The building housed the fire department equipment, a council chamber, library, public rest room, a commodious room for band rehearsals, and the office of the light and water superintendent.
The town's new water tower constructed at a cost of $7,456 paid for itself in the big fire of 1935. It is one of the town's chief assets. These improvements, along with the paving and new water main construction, as well as the Pump House, were funded by the W.P.A.
(Courtesy of Harmony News, November 14, 1935)
Harmony Volunteer Fire Department
This is a posed photo taken in the early 1900's of the Harmony Volunteer Fire Department showing off their modern equipment as well as their uniforms.
Place yourself on East Center Street in front of the former Village Hall, and that's the view you are getting of Harmony back when---no fire trucks, and not a building shown in the picture is still standing.
The large building on the right was called the Farmers Feed Barn, according to the sign above the double
this page online
Ben Feda-Ford Dealer
Ben Feda was born on February 9, 1891. Ben attended Southern Minnesota Normal College at Austin, and graduated from a course in steam and gas engineering. He remained as an instructor in English until entering the Army.
He entered the Army on February 18, 1918 to serve during WWI and was discharged May 21, 1919, serving 10 days less than one year. In 1923 he entered the retail automotive and farm machine business.
In 1943 he took a leave of absence from his business and worked for the government during WWII, serving for 33 months.
Ben Feda served as Mayor of Harmony for 10 terms and Commander of the Gustav Berg Post 81. A Military funeral service was held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery withy [sic] full Military honors.
Harmony's Methodist Church
The old Methodist Church was becoming too small, and a new and larger church was needed. A committee was formed to investigate various locations. A new location was chosen for the new
Photographed by McGhiever, October 5, 2025
2. Let's Have "Harmony" Marker at the northwest corner of Center and Main
After the initial pledge of $5,000 was made by the Ladies Aid, the church assumed the responsibility of the remaining church debt, on which they made payments until 1944, when they raised funds to make the final payment.
They became known as the Harmony United Methodist Church when the Evangelical United Brethren Churches combined. This church continued to grow and welcome members from the Granger United Methodist Church and the State Line United Methodist Church when each closed.
Four Buildings on East Main
This picture was taken looking out of the window from the school in the Superintendent's office. You will see the Harmony Water Tower in the background. The buildings are the Hardware Store, Feed, Stable and Livery, Watkins Electric and finally the Caroline Anderson Millinery.
Harmony News
The Harmony News, established in 1896, prospered; in 1902 an ad reported the subscription price: "The Harmony News is $1.00 per year, in advance."
In 1903 the paper reported: "L. O. Haugen of the Harmony News has bought a new cylinder press and now his newspaper office is as well equipped as any paper."
At one time, Dewey Long was a reporter and wrote many articles under the title "For the Birds" by Dewey.
Tollefson's Jewelry
Tollefson's Jewelry Store was started by Bill and Dorothy Tollefson in the lean-to south of the Pulver Hotel in 1932 - 1938. In 1941 they built their own building on Main street and were there until 1976. (Courtesy of Harmony News)
East Center Street
The old picture shows Harmony's East Center Street about 1929.
On the right was the General Service Garage which was owned by Walter Mull, and Bill Peterson was the head mechanic. H.S. McKinney was Superintendent of the sewer project back in the late 1920's. After completion of that job the McKinney's [sic] decided to make Harmony their home, so "Mack" bought the garage and later moved to larger quarters west on Shanty Avenue.
The fire siren tower can be seen rising high above the Power House and in the background is the Ford Garage building which was owned by C. B. Hellickson, and in 1923, Ben Feda bought the property.
(Courtesy of Harmony News)
Glimpses of the Past
This photo was taken back in the "horse and wagon" days (date unknown) but it seems to be a busy day in Harmony, or the posing farmers may have come to town to have their picture taken.
The picture is identified as Main Street directly across the street east of the Harmony News Building. From left to right going south down Main is the Harmony Novelty Works. It was a two-story metal building, built and operated by Fred and Herman Achatz, and was located where the Co-op Service Station was located. The Achatz building was remodeled into a pool hall and billiard in 1904.
Next was the City Livery and Feed Stable, featuring Waterloo Engines at that early date, and operated by Charles Bramer and Charles Arns.
The first house to the right was owned by Mrs. Caroline Anderson whose husband, Charles, was a carpenter and built the house. He was later stricken with tuberculosis and died. The house was later sold and moved and it still stands by the old greenhouse on 1st Street NW.
Courtesy of Harmony News)
Village Blacksmith Shop
In this photo the man in the center has been identified as Hans Englestad who was the village blacksmith at that time on Shanty Avenue. Nick Stiles, father of Julius, was the blacksmith during World War I, and many will recall that on November 9, 1918, word was received that the war was over and it was from this building that Nick Stiles carried two anvils out into the street, placed one on top of the other with gunpowder between, lit the fuse and the resounding boom was heard over the entire countryside. His rejoicing, however, was two days previous to the signing of the Armistice on November 11, which is now observed as Veterans Day.
(Courtesy of Harmony News)
Harmony Shoe Store
In 1953 Muriel and Bill Johnson started the Harmony Shoe Store. The photo shows Muriel and Bill with their son, Roger, who was about 10 years old at that time. Bill passed away in 1956, and then Muriel was the sole proprietor. She moved her shoe store to Main Street until she sold the business in 1976.
H. S. (Mac) McKinney
This picture was taken of H. S. (Mac) McKinney many years ago in front of Ed Roche's Barber Shop on Shanty Avenue.
Ed Roche moved to the location on Shanty Avenue, from where he was destined to barber for nearly a quarter of a century, and became known for his wit and humor and was endeared by the community.
At the top of the picture, on the far right, is where the Shanty Avenue Café was located. (Courtesy of Harmony News)
Circus Act?????
In contrast to the pictures we have been featuring about the olden days in Harmony, this photo reverts back to only 40 years ago when a group of fellows posed, pyramid style, to have their picture taken.
It was when Stanley and George Todd were first starting to sell implements to the farmers in this area back in 1935, and in the background is the Todd Bros. Implement building which was then located on Shanty Avenue. . . . but that is long gone now. When shoeing of horses became outdated, J.P. Stiles erected a building on the approximate site to house his feed business and later sold to Clarence Lindahl who was in the plumbing and heating business.
There are no more shantys on Shanty Avenue now, as last summer the Harmony Vets tore down their building, and now the Harmony News is located on one corner and the JCA Store on the other, with the Lindahl building sandwiched between.
In the photo are bottom—Carl G. Pederson, George Todd and Henry Pederson, above, Leslie "Pat" Lund and Arnold Erickson, and on the top is Ralph Chalmer, who worked for Todd Bros. at the time the picture was taken.
Erected 2017 by the Harmony Area Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 43° 33.264′ N, 92° 0.609′ W. Marker is in Harmony, Minnesota, in Fillmore County. It is at the intersection of Center Street W. and Main Avenue N. (Minnesota Route 139), on the right when traveling east on Center Street W.. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 Main Avenue N, Harmony MN 55939, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota and in Greater Rochester. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (about 500 feet away); Historic McMichael Grain Elevator Preservation Project (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harmony.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
