Locally Grown Northfield

The people, issues, and events of Northfield, MN

What is Drentlaw Plaza about?

By Griff Wigley, on July 23, 2008, 1:08 pm

As you enter Dundas via County Rd 1 at Hwy 3, you’ll see this landscaped area on the north side announcing Drentlaw Plaza area… but no plaza.

Anyone know what’s happening here? And what is that old machine?

7 comments to What is Drentlaw Plaza about?

1

Sean Hayford O'Leary says:

July 23, 2008 at 1:39 pm

I’m not alone in this world of confusion! I’ve been wondering about that sign for a while.

On this subject of weird, vertical rocks, does anyone know what the deal is with those rocks just a half-mile northeast, at the intersections of Heritage and Jefferson and Honeylocust and Jefferson?

· Reply
- 1.1
  
  Ashley Thompson says:
  
  August 9, 2009 at 10:21 pm
  
  the drentlaw plaza is the grounds where my great grandfather lived. he owned a farm there on that land and i spent tons of time there. Alvin Drentlaw was his name and he passed in 2004. his home has been thus removed and was at a big show in the area.
  
  · Reply
2

Curt Benson says:

July 23, 2008 at 2:30 pm

Griff, an online dictionary says a plaza is an open area, suitable for pedestrians. That’s fits the area, doesn’t it?

I guess the old machine is a mill or grinder for grain. The two larger wheels are flywheels. The smaller wheel connects to a tractor or portable engine of some kind. The grain goes in the larger, rectangular hole. The ground up stuff comes out the smaller hole on the bottom on the right. The spring loaded bolts probably adjust how fine the grain is ground.

Speaking of mysteries, what’s up with the Skyfox Helicopter hovering over the south end of Northfield/Sechlar Park/Dundas area right now--2:15 pm Weds. I happened to have my trusty binoculars in my car trunk, so I was able to tell what the chopper is. (I know, what a nerd.)

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3

Curt Benson says:

July 23, 2008 at 2:39 pm

Northfield News is on top of it:

http://www.northfieldnews.com/news.php?viewStory=45479

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4

Griff Wigley says:

July 23, 2008 at 2:56 pm

I have a new blog post for discussion of the, um, breaking news.
http://locallygrownnorthfield.org/archives/4403/

· Reply
5

Jane Moline says:

July 23, 2008 at 4:10 pm

OK, back to the Drentlaw Plaza — owned by Gene Jasnoch zoned LI (limited industrial) but some of the other land that was the Drentlaw farm is zoned residential.

I think Gene wants to put some appropriate light-industiral user there and maybe, someday put some residential stuff on the residential land.

I think the rocks look neat.

There are no plans before the planning commission or city council for this site.

· Reply
6

Chip Cuccio says:

July 25, 2008 at 6:18 am

That green thing is actually a hit-and-miss gasoline engine.

That is the exact type of engine we use to power the saw dust conveyer on our antique saw mill in Spring Valley (I’m one of the operators).

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What is Drentlaw Plaza about?

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