Secret of 110-year-old ‘Whynot’ rediscovered

By ANNA AUSTIN
Every town — large or small — has its history. But what about those that no longer exist?
Jerry and Julie Higgins of Reynolds, N.D., have been working diligently to resurrect memories and the likeness of the small town of Whynot, which would have turned 110 this year.
The Higgins moved to the farm, the original birthplace of Whynot, eight miles east of Reynolds in Bentry Township, in 1991.
“Every now and then a neighbor would mention Whynot,” said Higgins. “We never really thought anything of it.”
It wasn’t until about a year and a half ago that he discovered that the rumors of the town, which there seemed to be little lasting evidence of, proved to be true.
“I was out at Rosendahl cemetery,” said Higgins, “and I stopped to read about the history of the church. At the bottom of the bell they have there, there was an inscription that said it was donated by some women from Whynot.”
Soon Higgins and his wife set out to find out any detail they could about Whynot, contacting the Historical Society, the National Archives in Washington D.C., as well as visiting with any neighbor who might know something about the pioneer town that had vanished.
Little by little, details and records began to surface, and Higgins was able to put the story together.
Erik K. Larsgaard, according to past area residents, had always talked about opening a general store on his farm for the locals.
When other settlers inquired why, Larsgaard would always respond, “Why not?”
After much contemplation, Larsgaard moved forward with his idea, giving his store what he decided was an appropriate title. The phrase was painted on the front of the store in large letters to attract attention. Whynot.
The general store had everything from sewing thread to gasoline, to produce and clothing.
“I actually have an inventory list with everything he sold, and the prices,” claims Higgins. “Two hundred gallons of gasoline went for about $33, and a pair of Levi jeans went for about a dollar and some change.”
According to records, Larsgaard then established a rural post office in the store on May 6, 1892, and Whynot, consisting of 50 to 75 people, began to flourish.
Larsgaard became well known in the area, supplying settlers with goods and services. A school was opened in October of 1897 as well.
Although the school is no longer in session, the building still stands kept up by the township.
The school’s old piano continues to be played today. Dan and Kristi Austin of Reynolds now own the piano once used in the Whynot school.
“It’s nice to have the piano,” said Kristi. “Three of my daughters learned to play using it. It still sounds great. It’s a wonderful part of history to have in our home.”
Larsgaard continued to run the general store and post office for many years, until he was murdered in 1942, after a third robbery of his store.
“I visited with a settler from this area, Knute Laagason,” said Higgins. “He said him and several others drove by the store late one night and noticed the light was on. They were going to stop to see what was going on, but decided against it.”
It was later discovered that Larsgaard was robbed and murdered that very night.
The murderers were caught, though, added Higgins.
The store and post office were closed in 1948, and Whynot faded away.
Higgins, who has worked at Central Valley School as a janitor and bus driver since 2000, is slowly reinventing Whynot post-discovery. He now runs his own store, named accordingly to carry on the legend.
Higgins’ Whynot only sells bait, soda, pizza and Whynot t-shirts. He has bigger plans for years to come.
“Next year we’re going to have tackle, and maybe even more,” said Higgins.
Higgin’s customers are primarily fisherman, but surprisingly, he guesses 50 percent or more of his are from out of state.
“We’ve had people come from Iowa, Alabama, Duluth, and more,” he claimed. “People who want to do some river fishing, mainly over at Frog Point. They see our flyers, I think.”
“We often get calls from people who used to live in the area and want to come visit. Our Whynot sign has become real popular for people to come and take pictures by.”
The only known picture of the store was taken five years after Whynot was closed, in 1948. Part of the structure of the store was used in the making of the Higgins’ home many years ago.
“It’s really interesting,” commented Higgins, “to think that part of the store, such a big part of the area’s history is in our home.”
As for the future, Higgins plans to carry on with business.
“For sure,” he said, “We are going to keep the Whynot name alive.”