A major step forward for the Heartland Historical Society took place in the fall of 1998. A preliminary archaeological dig took place by a team of archaeologists from Augustana College and led by Adrien Hannus and Peter Winham. Amos and Kathleen Amundson, who own the property, sponsored the dig.
At the same time, a group of enthusiastic individuals came forward to give the Heartland Historical Society the necessary power to effectively grow and function as a vibrant historical organization.
This energetic group organized the 1st Annual Heartland Living History Festival, April 24, 1999, and is proud to carry on this tradition into the 2nd Annual Living History Festival on May 12-13, 2000.
Footnote: In the process of looking for a project to develop for my summer school class, I began to talk with Ivan Loesch and discovered many "not very well known facts" about the Heartland Region, in and around Huron and Tulare, in particular. The Mayor of Huron often asks for "things" we would be able to publicize to gain more outside interest in Huron and the surrounding area. After finding out how many/much historical information/sites are still visible/but fast disappearing in the area, I felt our students and parents would be very interested in how the area developed.
We have several excellent museums in the area, but most of them do not contain the historical information about the area before the 1800's. Thus Mr. Loesch and the Heartland Historical Society are endeavoring to inform everyone before these treasures are forever lost.
In doing research for this project, I also noticed that there is very little information in textbooks, or on the Internet about this area and the First Americans that were and still are here.
I have gotten permission from the Heartland Historical Society to reproduce much of the available materials that those people have developed thus far. If you are interested in first hand contact, email addresses, credit, etc. is given throughout these articles.