PRESCOTT – The Prescott Area Historical Society is proud to have Dr. John Anfinson, one of the preeminent river historians in the nation, as the next guest speaker at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. Anfinson has been a river rat for decades and has worked on many projects, modern and historical, in his studies. From Henry Bosse’s photos from the 1800s to a just completed study on St. Anthony Falls, his interests span all Old Man River’s endeavors.

St. Anthony Falls, located near downtown Minneapolis, has been moving upriver since its birth. Named by Father Hennepin in the late 1600s, it was nearly destroyed by a mill tunnel collapse in 1869. The Corps of Engineers stabilized it with a concrete cutoff dam below the water level. The Corps has conducted a two-year study with the help of Dr. Anfinson and a crew of other historians and engineers to see what the situation below the falls is and how it may need to be repaired. Stop in this coming Friday night to hear the story.

The Prescott Area Historical Society is in the second year of its history speaker series. Many businesses in Prescott have helped fund these efforts, along with the Chamber of Commerce, Pierce County, and the City of Prescott, plus private donations. They will have three more speakers later this fall with local Prescott grad Captain Tom Struve doing two shows during Prescott Daze. Struve has been a riverlorian on the American Cruise lines for a few years.

PAHS is always interested in finding new Prescott Area history. What is in your attic, garage, or basement? The monthly History Sharing days have been a lot of fun with stories, photos and artifacts steadily trickling in. The next Sharing Day is at 1 p.m. Aug. 17.

Are you interested in history? PAHS always welcomes new people to help with the work of saving the amazing history of this area. Contact them if you are interested on their FB page.

Submitted by Dallas Eggers