Back in late 1937 the prestigious Editor & Publisher magazine of New York City made a survey of 1,500 American cities with daily newspapers. And one of the cities selected for their survey was Albert Lea.

What resulted from this survey gave the Tribune’s editor, Burt May, material for one of his Albert Lea Tommy daily columns that was published in the Dec. 27, 1937, issue.

The population of Albert Lea, according to the 1930 U.S. Census, was 10,183. This total was enhanced with what was called the population of the “suburban area,” which was listed as 28,741 in 1930. I have a strong hunch this last statistic was the total population for the county. The population for the corporate limits of the city was estimated on July 1, 1937, to be 13,230.

Albert Lea’s estimated population in 2005, as determined by the State Demographic Office, is 18,082. Their 2005 estimate for the county population is 31,904.

Editor & Publisher reported that the Albert Lea retail trading area had a radius of 20 miles to the north, 30 miles south, 20 miles east, and 25 miles west. This magazine added that the most important cities and municipalities within the trade area with their 1937 populations were: Alden (533), Armstrong (81), Clarks Grove (180), Conger (840), Emmons (292), Freeborn (311), Geneva (245), Glenville (449), Gordonsville (152), Hartland (228), Hayward (158), Hollandale (88), London (123), Manchester (148), Moscow (79), Myrtle (82), Oakland (94), Twin Lakes (107), Ellendale (385), Blooming Prairie (1.048), New Richland (777), Waseca (3,815), Northwood, Iowa (1.554), Lake Mills, Iowa (1,474), Wells (1,795) and Kiester (286).

Now here’s an update on the populations of those localities, based on the 2005 estimates by the State Demographic Office, as they are listed on the latest official state map: Alden (645), Clarks Grove (709), Conger (144), Emmons (423), Freeborn (289), Geneva (468), Glenville (685), Hartland (276), Hayward (236), Hollandale (288), Manchester (77), Myrtle (57), Twin Lakes (158), Ellendale (636), Blooming Prairie (1,963), New Richland (1,189), Waseca (9,737), Wells (2,521), and Kiester (511). The 2000 Census as listed on the official Iowa map for the population of Lake Mills is 2,140 and for Northwood is 2,050.

There are five communities on the 1937 list which aren’t again listed in the above paragraph. They are: Armstrong, Gordonsville, London, Moscow and Oakland. I have no idea as to how the 1937 population figures were calculated. However, for the present state map no populations are listed for what are still unincorperated communities. Yet, we all know there are people still living in these and the other unincorperated places.

This Editor & Publisher survey said the principal industries in Albert Lea 72 years ago were: American Gas Machine Co., Wilson Packing Co., Queen Stove Works, Albert Lea Food Products (on West Front Street by the tracks), Olson Mfg. Co., Interstate Power Co., Potter Foundry (on the east side), Enderes Knife Co., Johnson Laundry Co., and Edwards Mfg. Co. Of this listing, four are still a part of local life. They are: Olson Mfg. Co., Enderes, Edwards Mfg. Co., and Alliant Energy (formerly Interstate Power).

So far, the statistics based on the Editor & Publisher survey seem to make sense. However, there were some other details based on Albert Lea statistics back in 1937 that are still questionable.

For example, this magazine said this city back then had 69 retail outlets where beer could be purchased or consumed. Then there were 98 places where tobacco products were available. Adding still more confusion were their listings for 48 meat markets and 46 independent grocers.

Now it’s true that most of the neighborhood grocery stores back in that era also had meat counters. Maybe there’s a duplication involved here.

Then again, maybe the New Yorkers were using totals for the beer and tobacco retailers and groceries and meat markets based on the larger Albert Lea retail trading area.

Anyway, this 1937 deal in the Editor & Publisher gave both Albert Lea Tommy and I material for a column.

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