From Sept. 3-7, Northfield celebrated the Defeat of Jesse James Days. My roommate and I attended Sept. 7. As first-year students from out of state, this was our first chance to truly explore Northfield. A wide variety of events took place, including a rodeo, craft fair, rubber duck race, car show, parade, and reenactments of the famous attempted bank robbery.
We couldn’t possibly do everything available that day, but we did attend the craft fair and watch the parade. Though we were unable to see the reenactments, we heard gunshots and caught glimpses of horses running down the street. We also had the chance to stroll along the riverwalk and stumbled across a concert on the Contented Cow’s patio. Overall, it was an excellent way to spend an afternoon, and we gained new appreciation for Northfield.
The festival gets its name from the James-Younger gang’s foiled plan to hold up Northfield’s First National Bank on Sept. 7, 1876. This event does not commemorate Jesse James himself, but rather the citizens of Northfield who prevented the bank robbery from occurring. The bank teller, Joseph Lee Heywood, refused to open the safe and was tragically killed. Meanwhile, the townspeople armed themselves and the James-Younger gang fled. While the robbers were not captured in Northfield, that day marked the beginning of their downfall. Their failed attempt triggered a manhunt, and the James-Younger gang never held up a bank again. The first celebration was organized in 1948, and has occurred every year since.
If you’re considering attending next year, you’ll be in good company! Each year, the Defeat of Jesse James Days draws thousands of visitors to Northfield — in 2023, it was estimated that around 250,000 people visited. This has an enormous impact on Northfield’s economy and raises awareness about an interesting episode in history. The event has something for everyone to enjoy, and I’m excited to attend again.
