Phillips County Museum News for Wednesday, August 14, 2024

In the early to mid-1900’s many towns and communities could be found on Phillips County maps. One of those towns was Lovejoy, which was located approximately 30 miles northwest of Malta. In 1910, W.C. Lovejoy from Indiana was looking for a place to homestead. After several long days of looking for land, Mr. Lovejoy said, “This is it. I’m tired and I’m not going any farther.” The place he stopped at became the town of Lovejoy. In 1911, W.C.’s oldest son, Harry moved to the area and built a store that sold groceries, clothing, and hardware. Soon a post office, grocery store, hardware store, men’s clothing store, pool hall, barber shop, dance hall, school, and church were built. Area homesteaders bought most of their necessities at Lovejoy and it became the main stopping place between Malta and the Canadian line.

Lovejoy survived the 1910’s and 1920’s. The beginning of the end of Lovejoy was when the Great Northern Railway built the branch line from Saco to Hogeland. The line ran 13 miles north of Lovejoy and the railway made a depot at a stop called Loring. Grain elevators and a stockyard were built there. Being on the railroad line was an opportunity for more business and a town sprang up at Loring. Businesses moved from Lovejoy to Loring. In late 1928, the Lovejoy Community Hall was cut in two and moved to Loring before being rejoined. The Lovejoy store, hardware store and church were also moved. Today the town of Lovejoy is nothing but a memory.

Stop by the Phillips County Museum to read information in our community files. We are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.