Near Hanska in Brown County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Asle Sorbel's Ride

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 30, 2013

1. Asle Sorbel's Ride Marker

Inscription. In 1854 Ole and Guri Sorbel immigrated to Rock County Wisconsin from Hallingdal, Norway. In 1856 they settled to your right on the northwest bank of Lake Linden. On September 21, 1876, Bob, Cole and Jim Younger and Charlie Pitts received breakfast from the Sorbels. Asle (Oscar) Sorbel, age 17, was convinced the visitors were part of the James-Younger Gang that robbed a Northfield Minnesota bank. He mounted a workhorse and rode 13 miles to Madelia, Minnesota to alert authorities. A posse captured the outlaws near LaSalle.

Erected by
The Family of Ole and Guri Sorbel - 2004

Erected 2004 by The Family of Ole and Guri Sorbel.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Norwegian-Americans series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1869.

Location. 44° 8.825′ N, 94° 28.275′ W. Marker is near Hanska, Minnesota, in Brown County. It is on County Road 257 0.4 miles east of 155th Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Marker is along a paved shoulder near the northwest bank of Lake Linden. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hanska MN 56041, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Minnesota and specifically in the Minnesota River Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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 6 miles of this marker,

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measured as the crow flies: John Armstrong (here, next to this marker); Hanska (approx. 1.1 miles away); Norwegian Stabbur (approx. 1.2 miles away); World War Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); Lake Hanska (approx. 4½ miles away); Omsrud Thordson – Torgrimson Log Cabin (approx. 4½ miles away); Lake Hanska Pioneer / Lake Hanska County Park (approx. 4.6 miles away); Searles (approx. 6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hanska.

Also see . . .
1. Jesse James. Wikipedia entry. "The James brothers were most active with their gang from about 1866 until 1876, when their attempted robbery of a bank in Northfield, Minnesota, resulted in the capture or deaths of several members." (Submitted on August 24, 2013.)

2. Northfield, Minnesota. Wikipedia entry. "The James-Younger Gang attempted a robbery on the First National Bank of Northfield. Local citizens, recognizing what was happening, armed themselves and resisted the robbers and successfully thwarted the theft... Considering the James gang as related to postwar insurgency, the raid has sometimes been called the last major event of the American Civil War." (Submitted on August 24, 2013.)

Additional keywords. Jesse James; Frank James; First National Bank of Northfield

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 30, 2013

2. Asle Sorbel's Ride Marker

right side

County Road 257 Towards Madelia image. Click for full size.

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 30, 2013

3. County Road 257 Towards Madelia

looking to the right of the marker

Northwest Bank of Lake Linden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 30, 2013

4. Northwest Bank of Lake Linden

Historic First National Bank image. Click for full size.

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, October 23, 2011

5. Historic First National Bank

Northfield, Minnesota
Northfield Historical Society Museum

Plaque at Historic First National Bank image. Click for full size.

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, October 23, 2011

6. Plaque at Historic First National Bank

Northfield Downtown Historic District • Scriver Building 1868 Restored by The Northfield Historical Society 1985 • Heritage Preservation Commission

Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,247 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 24, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.