05-07-2025
Three new pillars added during Freedom Fest ceremony
Jul. 4—On Friday night, three new pillars were added to the Pillars of the City during a presentation as part of Freedom Fest.
This year's inductees include Helen E. McMillian, William Todd and Alice E. Snater.
After Snater's plaque was unveiled, her daughter Dianne Snater was invited on stage to say a few words about her mother who worked hard for those things she believed in.
"She would work herself to the bone for what she thought was right for children," Dianne said. "She was a powerful member of the community."
The plaques will be put up in the coming days on the flood wall alongside Main Street. On each of the plaques are QR codes that will give people the opportunity to learn more about this year's pillars.
This was the 10th year of the program.
Helen E. McMillan (July 6, 1909 — Jan. 29, 1984)
Helen McMillan settled in Austin in 1945 with her husband and was actively involved with the local Red Cross, the Human Rights Commission, the United Council of Church Women, and the American Legion Post 91 Auxiliary.
She served as the president of the Austin League of Women Voters for 15 years, and from 1953 to 1955, she held the position of president at the state level.
At the suggestion of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, her husband encouraged her to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives. In 1962, McMillan became the first woman elected from Mower County. During her 12 years in the Minnesota State House, she championed women's rights, advocated for education for the mentally ill, and supported advancing vocational rehabilitation activity centers.
William Todd (Sept. 1, 1857 — Oct. 13, 1931
William Todd was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1857. At the age of 22, he immigrated to America, initially settling in Cresco, Iowa, before moving to Austin a year later.
Upon his arrival in Austin, he began working for the Milwaukee Railroad and in 1891, he was appointed chief engineer for Austin Waterworks.
In 1899, Todd constructed the city's first municipal electric light plant and advocated for the use of springs instead of wells for the city's water supply. In 1900, he was elected superintendent of the Electric, Light, and Waterworks. His visionary contributions as a dedicated engineer significantly improved the utility systems that we continue to benefit from today. In 1927, the citizens of Austin petitioned the Water and Light Board to name the Herzog Spring Farm "Todd Park" in his honor.
Alice E. Snater (June 27, 1936 — June 17, 2015)
After losing her dream home near Lafayette Park to a catastrophic flood in 1978, Alice Snater became a dedicated citizen volunteer for the city of Austin, working on flood relocation projects.
From 1978 to 2004, she collected data for grant programs and co-founded the Flood Action Citizens Task Source (FACTS), which actively lobbied local, state, and federal agencies for flood-hazard mitigation initiatives.
Throughout the years, Snater served on several boards and commissions, including the Sacred Heart Care Center, the Civil Service Police Commission, the Human Rights Commission, and the Austin City Council. Additionally, she contributed as a collaborative team member for the Parents Forever Program, the Seibel Center, and worked for the courts as an advocate for minor children for over 25 years.
Past Pillars of the City
2016: George A. Hormel, Jay C. Hormel, Richard L. Knowlton, Dr. Richard J. Schindler, Jon W. Erichson
2017: Ira James Holton, Gary Ray, Esther Morse
2018: Robert Enright, Lyman Baird, Norman Hecimovich
2019: Bonnie Besse, Gertrude C. Ellis, John O'Rourke
2020: Geraldine Rasmussen, Pat Piper, Larry Dolphin
2021: Susan Grove, Olva Hegge, Jacob Herzog
2022: Frank W. Bridges, Miguel Garate, Michael C. Ruzek
2023: Dr. Ralph Holmen, Rosalie Seltz, Belita Schindler
2024: Jiles A Baldrus, Terese Amazi
