[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 15822]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               125TH ANNIVERSARY OF TORONTO, SOUTH DAKOTA

 Mr. JOHNSON. Madam President, today I pay tribute to the 125th 
anniversary of the founding of the community of Toronto, SD.
  Toronto was founded by four farmers who all donated land to the 
township. The farmer who donated the most land, Mr. McCraney, named the 
new community after his hometown of Toronto, Canada. The Burlington, 
Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad built a depot which became a popular 
landmark, providing a gathering place for the citizens. In 1898, 
Toronto became the smallest town in the United States to have electric 
lights, with telephone service following 3 years later. This resilient 
town made it through seven major fires as well as severe bouts of small 
pox and Spanish influenza. I have a personal bond to the community as 
my grandparents Reverend Peder and Anna Ljostveit are buried in the 
Toronto Cemetery.
  The citizens will be celebrating this momentous anniversary July 3-5, 
2009, with craft and quilt shows, meals, pageants, and games including 
a contest for yard decorations. This celebration will give Toronto the 
occasion to reflect on their strong, progressive past as well as look 
forward to its promising future. I congratulate Toronto and its people 
and reaching this historic milestone.

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