50 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 13, 1958

The Litchfield Shipping Association, now the oldest organization of its kind still operating in the state, will hold its 50th anniversary meeting on Feb. 17. It was organized in March 1908 and shipped 14 carloads of cattle the first year. Under the energetic manager, H.L. Halverson, the organization grew quickly. Members of the first board of directors were N. E. Christenson, Anton Olson, J.H. Lawrence and Pat Casey.

By 1912 the association shipped 146 carloads of livestock and in 1916 carload shipments hit 184. In the early years farmers would drive the cattle into town where they would stay in holding pens until shipment. In the late 1930s, the association switched from rail to trucks for shipments. The last rail shipment was made in 1938. Currently, the association maintains six trucks. Current officers of the association are Eugene Hoffman, Russ Carlson, Arnold Anderson and Wm. Olson.