Sunrise Township

History / Museums

Sunrise: Birthplace of Hollywood Actor Richard Widmark

On December 26, 1916, Richard Widmark was born on 1st Street in Sunrise, Minnesota. Today, a historical marker is at the actual birth site. Richard would star in 74 films from 1947 to 1991. He shared the screen with many Hollywood icons such as: Marilyn Monroe, Gregory Peck, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Judy Garland and countless others.


The Man with the Hellbend Snicker!
 

 

Sunrise: Birthplace of Illinois Governor Frank O. Lowden

Frank Orren Lowden was born in Sunrise on January 26, 1861. He attended school in our current town hall. Which is the oldest government center where meetings are still held in the State of Minnesota. His dad, Lorenzo Lowden, helped build the school house in 1861. In 1868, the Lowden's left Sunrise. From 1917 to 1921, Frank served as the Governor of Illinois. He returned to his hometown on March 2, 1920 to announce his candidacy for President of the United States. He narrowly lost the Republican nomination to Warren Harding, who would go on to be the 29th President.


Frank attended school from 1861 to 1868 in the Town Hall in Sunrise.

"Almost a President"