Two aerial photographs recently found in the archives of the Freeborn County Historical Museum Library help to emphasize all the changes that have taken place during the past 46 years in the part of the city between Fountain and Albert Lea lakes.

The two photos were taken in October 1963 by James L. Shaffer of Dubuque, Iowa.

Just why the photos were taken is not known.

Both photos focused on the part of Albert Lea where the Wilson & Co. plant was located and the waterway known as the channel. In reality this outlet of Fountain Lake could also be considered to be the start or source of the Shell Rock River.

Most of the buildings and homes shown in these photos no longer exist. For the areas depicted along Bridge and South Garfield Avenues and East Main and Wilson streets the changes have involved new businesses and the replacement of many homes. And the greatest change came in early July 2001 with a fire that destroyed the Farmland plant. Now that part of the city is designated as the Blazing Star Landing.