LINDSBORG, KS — An historical summary of Lindsborg history from the late 1860s to early 1900s, coupled with current historical observations, are featured in a new book by Lindsborg native Bill Carlson.
“Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now,” a 113-page paperback book has just been released by Smoky Valley Historical Publications, a publishing arm of the Smoky Valley Historical Association.
It is available in Lindsborg at the Hemslöjd shop, the Old Mill Museum gift shop, and by mail from Smoky Valley Historical Association, P.O. Box 255, Lindsborg, KS 67456, E-mail [email protected] .
“This historical book is an important addition to a long line of publications about the unique community of Lindsborg, in the heart of the Smoky Valley of north central Kansas—which often is called ‘Little Sweden U.S.A.,” SVHA president Chris Abercrombie said.
Lindsborg perhaps is best-known both nationally and internationally for its “Oberammergau-type” annual musical presentations of George Frederic Handel’s renowned oratorio masterpiece, the “Messiah,” presented annually since 1882 every Easter-week by a large community and college chorus with orchestra. But there are many other activities and cultural features of Lindsborg — extending back to its founding in the late 1860s.
Founded by religious Swedish immigrants in 1869, Lindsborg (population 3,300) has maintained its bicultural ethnic roots. Today it is renowned for its festivals, foods, varied music, art of all types, active churches, and major institutions which include Bethany College — with its many college events and activities including the “Swedes’” intercollegiate sports.
Some say Lindsborg is better known in Sweden than in the U.S.A. The community does have a bicultural Old World charm, along with its American culture, prairie architecture, and brick streets.
Swedish visitors often claim that “Lindsborg is more Swedish than Sweden,” as the visitors experience old-time Swedish foods including occasional smörgåsbords, old folk costumes, folk music, folkdancing (especially by both a renowned high school group and an active adult group), fascinating galleries and shops (many with Swedish imports and motifs), and interactions with a few native-born Swedes including some who reside in Bethany Home.
In this book are many glimpses of community history and revelations of modern-day insights, captured by Carlson. The book is an important addition to Lindsborg publications which include biographies and other history.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Bill Carlson is a graduate of Lindsborg High School and a 1952 graduate of Bethany College. He holds a 1956 master’s degree from Emporia State University. He has developed and increased his passion and support for his hometown community and his undergraduate college alma mater. His varied and fascinating career spans several coaching/ teaching, administrative, and other positions.
After two years in Army service, he spent 20 years coaching and teaching in Salina (Kansas) public schools, 16 years as an assistant football coach in the original Salina High School, and four years as head football coach and athletic coordinator at Salina High South from 1970 to 1974. Then he became administrator of Bethany Home in Lindsborg, retiring at the end of 1994. He has written several books and numerous newspaper feature stories, mostly historical but often personal and anecdotal.
His first book is “From Socks and Jocks to Maalox” (Hillsboro, Kansas: Partnership Book Services, 1997), which records some experiences in coaching and then working with the elderly in Bethany Home — where he applied a loving passion for interacting and appreciating gifts of life of so many people. At Bethany Home, which he often called “Bethany West,” he realized he wanted to record many of the happenings — some humorous, some happy, some sad, some touching. Of that work he said: “Hopefully that book brings to life not only the excitement of athletic events, but also what I experienced as appreciation of the humor, love, and caring of our elderly citizens.”
Contrasts of what seem to be disparate careers really turned out to have both similar and different aspects — probably because of Carlson’s empathies, living faith, and dedication to service which are in his character.
Bill Carlson has served his hometown community in many ways, including service on the City Council, to his church, and for his college alma mater. He has provided leadership in the Smoky Valley Historical Association, including its board of directors, and many of its projects.
Carlson acknowledges that he has been richly supported by his loving wife Doris, and his family.
He says this book is part of his efforts to preserve history of Lindsborg and the Smoky Valley. He acknowledges that many facts, names, places, and dates have been taken from writings of those he recognizes in the Introduction. But most of the book is all Bill Carlson, representing a portion of what he deems important to history.
His writings may become the most enduring of his many accomplishments, and it will not be surprising if in future years many more written and published contributions from him become part of the record.