Artichoke Town Hall was the first building built on contract by Carl Hasslen in 1893. The 8-sided Hall is now on display at the Big Stone County Museum in Ortonville, MN. 
Bank built in 1915 in Summit, SD 
School built in Britton, SD |
1888At age 17,Carl Johanson left Sweden and came to America filled with hopes of reaping the harvests of opportunities awaiting in the new land. Like many other immigrants named Johnson and Johanson, Carl changed his name to keep his own identity. Carl chose Hasslen as his new last name.1893Carl’s first job in the new land was working for his brother John in St. Paul. But in 1893, John’s contracting business became the victim of the depression and went bankrupt. Carl moved on to Graceville, MN where he worked for a building contractor. Thus began Carl’s building career.1900Carl Hasslen and John Bylow agreed to become partners and each contributed $250 to the common fund.1901John Bylow slipped away with all of the company money and Carl was left to try to pay the company debts. He couldn’t, so the company went bankrupt. 1901 marked the beginning of Carl’s second business venture. He and his friend John Carlson from Graceville started a contracting business in Ortonville, MN called John Carlson and Company. Because Carl was still in debt, they couldn’t use the name Hasslen in the new company name.1907A depression hit the United States but the Ortonville contractors were able to survive by moving the business to Tacoma, WA where businesses were still thriving. While there, they changed the name of the company to Carlson and Hasslen Company. Back to Minnesota in 1909.1918Carl and Jose’s son, Buford, joined the company.1924Another son, Arne, joined the company team. Upon John Carlson’s death in 1938, the company changed it’s name to Hasslen and Sons. Churches, schools, office buildings and hospitals were the mainstay of construction as well as many of the larger homes in the Ortonville area.1941At the age of 18, Buford’s son, Robert Vern, started working full-time for the company. R.V. served in the army from 1944-1946 and then returned to become the third Hasslen generation to work for Hasslen and Sons. |
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Three Generations 
Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) Completed in 1986 Dawson, MN 
Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Milbank SD 
Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Milbank SD 
Fourth and Fifth Generations |
1950Hasslen and Sons incorporated and became Hasslen Construction Company, Inc. Carl Hasslen worked actively until his death in 1959 when he died….at the office.1951The company moved its headquarters to the current office on First Street in Ortonville, MN.1964R.V.’s only son, Dan, began his construction career working during the summers. After two years of college and two tours of duty in Vietnam as a SeaBee, Dan became the fourth generation to work at the company.1971Construction was at an all time high and the business was thriving. Technology was increasing, equipment was improving and buildings were being built faster and more efficiently than ever.1978The company purchased its first computer for $36,000. It used three 8-track tapes for backup each night.1984Dan’s oldest son, Brent, began working during his summers and breaks. After graduating from Moorhead State University with a degree in Construction Management, he began his full-time career as the fifth generation.1993Hasslen Construction Company Inc. celebrates 100 years of business.1997Dan’s second son, Brian, started working during the summers. After completing his Construction Management education, Brian assumed the role of Vice-President and is also part of the fifth generation.TodayDan Hasslen, CEO, 4th generation Brent Hasslen, President, 5th Generation Brian Hasslen, Vice-President, 5th generation A combination of steady and continuous growth; honest and fair business practices, and employee retention has made Hasslen Construction a leader in the Construction Industry.Tomorrow’s 6th GenerationBrent’s son, Jade, has started working for the company during his summers. |
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