By Rich Larson
The Northfield History Center is marking a major milestone this Labor Day with a series of events commemorating the 150th anniversary of the failed 1876 raid by the James-Younger Gang on the First National Bank of Northfield.
Executive Director Sean Allen said the anniversary offers an opportunity not only to remember the famous robbery attempt, but also to honor the courage of the townspeople who stopped it.
“We’re honoring Joseph Lee Heywood and the bravery of the townspeople,” Allen said. “Not the psychopathic murderers that came to this town.”
The centerpiece of the commemoration will be a free public event from 1 to 3 p.m. on Bridge Square on Sept. 7, the anniversary of the raid. Speakers, including Carleton College President Alison Byerly, local officials, and community leaders, will address attendees around 2 p.m., followed by a moment of silence. Free admission to the History Center will also be offered during the event.
One of the most significant features of the anniversary is the temporary return of a rare artifact connected to the raid: the only known surviving duster coat believed to have been worn by one of the gang members. The Minnesota Historical Society is loaning the artifact to Northfield for a brief display, marking the first time it has returned to the city in 150 years.
“It’s never been back here in 150 years,” Allen said. “It’s a big deal to us and I think for history buffs as well.”
The exhibit will also explore how the story of the raid has been interpreted and sometimes distorted through films, books, and popular culture. Allen noted that Hollywood portrayals often stray far from historical reality.
Beyond the anniversary events, the History Center will continue community-focused programming during Defeat of Jesse James Days, including access to school yearbooks, newspaper archive files, and historical collections.
Allen said the anniversary serves as a reminder that the raid’s significance extends beyond its notoriety.
“It’s the seven minutes in our history that put Northfield on the map,” he said. “But it’s really about the people of Northfield and what they did that day.”
The 1876 raid remains one of Minnesota’s most famous historical events and a defining chapter in Northfield’s story.
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
