Phillips native looks back, ready to look forward

Phillips
mural
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Bergmark

Willie Bergmark pleased with change on Main Street

  • This mural was painted in the 1950s on a wall in a Phillips bar by workers who lived in the community while they helped build the railroad.
    This mural was painted in the 1950s on a wall in a Phillips bar by workers who lived in the community while they helped build the railroad.

    Willie Bergmark sat in his pickup with a smile on his face, watching a piece of Phillips’ history tumble to the ground.
    At age 85, the area native and Phillips High School graduate is one of many local residents excited to see changes being made in the small rural community.
    “There are a lot of memories in that building, but it’s a good thing that it’s coming down,” Bergmark said while watching the wooden structure just north of post office being demolished. “I’m glad to see it go because it’s an eyesore. They’re doing a nice job cleaning up a lot.”
    Before turning the page of history, however, Bergmark reflected on his own personal memories of the Main Street site. Back when he was in high school, around 1953-54, he recalled how the railroad brought in crews to work for long periods of time, with many of those minority workers living in the wooden structure.

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