Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now: Part One: Late 1860s to Early 1900s; Part Two: Year 2010 - Tapa blanda

Lindsborg Then (Late 1860s to Early 1900s) and Lindsborg Now

By Bill Carlson

BOOK DESCRIPTION

This anecdotal history of Lindsborg, Kansas - often nicknamed "Little Sweden U.S.A. - is a quick read, providing loving insights and historical summaries of a unique small community in north central Kansas. Lindsborg perhaps is best-known nationally and internationally for its "Oberammergau-type" annual musical presentations of George Frederic Handel's renowned oratorio masterpiece, the "Messiah," presented annually since 1882 every Easter-week by a large community and college chorus with orchestra. Founded by religious Swedish immigrants in 1869, Lindsborg (population 3,300) has maintained its bicultural ethnic roots, and today it is renowned for its festivals, foods, varied music, art of all types, and institutions including Bethany College - with many college activities including the "Swedes'" intercollegiate sports. Some say Lindsborg is better known in Sweden than in the U.S.A., but that may be hard to substantiate. With its Old World charm, along with its American prairie architecture and brick streets, Swedish visitors often say "Lindsborg is more Swedish than Sweden," as the visitors experience Swedish folk costumes, folk music and folk dancing (especially by both a high school group and an adult group).