The Battle over the Cold Spring Dam: Farm-Village Conflict and Contested Identity among Rural German Americans

When the farmers & businessmen -- most of German, Catholic descent -- in rural MN debated the future of an existing dam in 1900, the state's Supreme Court eventually had to step in to settle the dispute. Underlying community tension & violence intensified the dam debate, a debate that represented a larger conflict over political rules & behavior. Ethnic identity also played a significant role in the conflict, as did socioeconomic status & community relations. This incident illustrates the ideals of those living in rural areas during the early 1900s. Farm & family, fair play, & reciprocity formed the cornerstone of farmers' moral views. When merchants & businessmen attempted to alter the status quo, their arguments were seen as extreme & controversial. As late as 1922, though a court ruling supported the continued existence of the dam, tension over the issue remained high. K. A. Larsen