[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12752]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE COMMUNITY OF BRIDGEWATER, SOUTH DAKOTA

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to honor and publicly 
recognize the 125th anniversary of the founding of the city of 
Bridgewater, SD. In addition to celebrating our nation's independence, 
we are called today to commemorate 125 years of Bridegewater's proud 
history.
  Like many towns in South Dakota, the railroad played an influential 
role in the founding of Bridgewater. In early 1880, Bridgewater 
received its original name, Nation City, from the first settlers and 
townsite owners, Robert and John B. Nation. In late November of that 
year, however, the town's first train depot was built to accommodate 
the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, and the town's name 
changed from Nation City to Bridgewater. In fact, it was the rail 
workers who ultimately renamed the city, having been forced to carry 
their drinking water across a bridge near town.
  One of early Bridgewater's unique traditions was the chatauqua, a 
summer festival under a tent loaded with singers, bands, orchestras, 
lectures, and plays. Adults paid $2 and children $1.10 for an entire 
week of star-studded, cultural entertainment. While this yearly ritual 
was a town favorite, it quickly lost popularity once roads and cars 
were improved and movies became more accessible. Unfortunately, 
Bridgewater's last chatauqua ended prematurely, as a cyclone hit and 
interrupted the festivities.
  Bridgewater's first newspaper, the Times, was established in 1880 by 
Adin F. Terrill. The publication lasted for about 10 years, until it 
merged with the Bridgewater Brieflet in 1890 and was renamed the 
Bridgewater Tribune, which still exists to this day.
  One of Bridgewater's notable landmarks is the city park. Created in 
1960 with the help of the Green Thumb organization, the park came to 
fruition following the purchase of four acres of J.J. Bollinger's 
property. This community park, a cherished Bridgewater amenity, is host 
to countless family picnics and outdoor activities.
  In the twelve and a half decades since its founding, Bridgewater has 
provided its citizens with a rich and diverse atmosphere. Bridgewater's 
600 proud residents will celebrate the town's 125th anniversary on July 
4, 2005, and it is with great honor that I share with my colleagues 
this community's unique past.

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