Column: Between the Corn Rows

One of the understandable misconceptions about the nighttime hours is based on the idea that between the hours of 1 a.m. to about 4 to 5 a.m. just about everything ceases to be active. During those supposedly dead hours nearly everyone is sleeping because it’s dark outside and there’s really nothing to keep people awake and active at all.

Yet, through the years in Albert Lea and elsewhere in the region those nighttime hours have more activity than people may realize. Also worth emphasizing is the concept that through the years there have been some significant changes.

One I can cite is based on the city’s railroads and depots. Years ago those depots were open all night because trains were making stops to discharge or take on passengers. There was also activity on the local tracks with switch engines and freight trains. Now, only one of the three depots is still being used, and rail traffic during the night hours is based mainly on the Union Pacific freight trains passing through the city.

Another place where something was going on 24/7 I can easily recall is at the former Wilson & Co. and later Farmstead Foods plant, known locally as the “packing house.” There were employees involved with power plant operations, cleanup crews and security all during the night hours, including weekends. Now this aspect of local life is a part of memories for a group of retirees and hopefully folks with day jobs.

Finding a place to get a meal during those late night hours was a real challenge four to five decades ago. However, there were a few places where the bar crowd (after 1 a.m.), night owls and some workers going to or from their jobs during those odd hours could get a really late dinner, a snack and a drink, or really early breakfast.

One place I can recall from that era was the Maid Rite on East William Street at the present site of Produce State Bank. This cafe may have been one of the city’s first fast food places because of the way Maid Rite sandwiches were prepared. I might add that this place was a popular place for musical groups coming back to Albert Lea after playing weekend gigs at dance halls or ballrooms in other localities to get something to eat.

Right at this point I’m tempted to follow through with my idea to highlight local places where one can get food and beverages during those night hours. Yet, if I try to make a list there’s a chance I could miss some establishment or make an error. Instead, let’s just settle for the concept that several eating places and convenience stores, plus two supermarkets, are open during those late night hours. Besides, I want to move on with this topic.

We can certainly take comfort that all through the years members of the Albert Lea Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and the fine folks at the Albert Lea Medical Center are on duty 24/7. And I’m not forgetting the area firefighters who may be sleeping during those hours, but when the fire alarm is sounded they will be ready to respond within a few minutes.

It’s no secret that Albert Lea and area communities once had more places selling gasoline. It’s also true that nearly all those service stations of the past weren’t open during those late night or early morning hours. Thus, trying to purchase gasoline to refill a nearly empty tank on a vehicle could be a real and sometimes tense challenge during those dark and lonely hours.

Also, through the years what we now call convenience stores are a combination of former neighborhood groceries and service stations. Anyway, with several convenience stores, plus truck stops, here in Albert Lea anyone passing through the city can easily purchase gasoline on a 24/7 basis.

We’ll be continuing this topic in the next column with a memory based on looking for a service station to purchase gasoline for a tank nearing the empty mark late at night.

Ed Shannon’s column has been appearing in the Tribune every Friday since December 1984.