Thornton, Cerro Gordo County, IA
BARLOW, BAILEY, DOWNING, JOHNSON, POWELL, ALBERTY, LAWRENCE, FORD, WOOD, GREGORY, BECK, SCHEIDER, SCHROEDER, SENEY, INGERSOL, WIMMER, SPINDLER, ARNOLD, GROSS, SEYNEY, ANDERSON, PARISH, DART, BRAGA
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 10/16/2011 at 18:56:17
Thornton
Grimes Township, Cerro Gordo County, IowaThornton was founded in 1885 and incorporated in 1892. The first mayor was J. D. BARLOW with A. C. BAILEY, George DOWNING, H. M. JOHNSON, James POWELL and C. F. ALBERTY listed as councilmen. Mr. BARLOW is credited with being very instrumental in the early development of Thornton.
An article in the newspaper of May 19, 1892 states that A. J. LAWRENCE went to Geneva to procure trees for the park. The story is told that women of the community carried water to these trees to aid their growth. The soil in this area was believed to be poor for trees and much effort went into helping these trees early growth. Pictures taken of Thornton in its first days certainly verify the fact that Thornton was a treeless community.
A newspaper was started in Thornton in 1892 and was called the Thornton Enterprise. The editor was a cousin of the famous newspaperman and bore his name, Horace GREELEY.
Businesses advertising in the Thornton Enterprise on May 19, 1892 were as follows:
Bank of Thornton - capital $10,000 and responsibility $200,000.
BARLOW and LAWRENCE - dealers in grain (which tells us that Mr. LAWRENCE did set up his grain buying business in Thornton) City Hotel
Asa BAILEY, Prop. City Restaurant
J.T. POWELL, Prop., warm meals at all hours, temperance drinks
FORD and WOOD – dray
GREGORY and ALBERTY -contractors and builders
Henry BECK - painter, calsominer and decorator
SCHNEIDER and SCHROEDER - dry goods and clothing
Sidney SENEY - contractor
Two blacksmith shops -
INGERSOLL and Son at 2nd St. Westside and A.E. CHASE with shop at the corner of Main and 2nd St.
WIMMER and SPINDLER -wagons, buggies, binders, mowers, and windmills
The population of Thornton in 1905 was listed as 293 while all of rural Grimes township was 482.
Thornton's main street has been the victim of many major fires. Records could not be found but indications are there were three or four severe ones. One fire was October 22, 1908 and there had been three fires in the preceding seven months. These fires help to explain why all of Thornton's buildings on main street are of brick or a fireproof material.
Early pictures of Thornton show board sidewalks. When these were cemented could not be determined but must have been a most welcome change.
In 1908 the first "Roast Oxen Day" was held in Thornton. The menu for this town and country festival was barbecued steer, boiled ham, cheese, sweet pickles, bananas, thirty large cakes, buttered buns, hot coffee, iced tea, and iced water. After the dinner a baby contest was held with the winner Helen Irene ARNOLD and second place going to Leona GROSS. This event, believed to be the brainchild of Ray SEYNEY, was held annually for many years and was very popular indeed. Heritage Days in 1976 revived the Roast Ox Day to help celebrate our nation’s bicentennial.
Thornton continued its growth with the twentieth century. The coming of World War I and World War II had a dramatic and changing effect on the lives of every rural community and Thornton was no exception. There is little that can be said about these two conflicts that historians haven't told us in many profound ways.
Thornton started its modernization program by installing a city water system which was completed July 21, 1939. A less aesthetic improvement in Thornton, but certainly a long awaited service, occurred when Mayor Leonard ANDERSON turned on the valve at the pumping station on August 16, 1967 and Thornton was fueled by natural gas. Thornton continued its modernization by installing a sewer system in 1969.
A sad note of the 1960's & 1970's was the loss of our beautiful elm trees to Dutch Elm Disease. When we realize the work the early pioneers did to start these trees we can only hope this generation of Thorntonites will replace them soon.
A map of Thornton was dated in 1896. It was the last township to be settled due to its location and the condition of the land.
School History
The Thornton school building was built in 1936 after the previous school burned in a large fire. In 1955, a large addition, including a gymnasium, library, offices, and additional classrooms was added. In 1963, the building became the high school, and later the Jr.-Sr. High, for the combined Meservey-Thornton school district. Due to declining enrollments, in 1983 the Meservey building was closed and the Thornton facility was again used for grades K-12.
In 1988, Meservey-Thornton began whole-grade sharing with Sheffield-Chapin school district, and the building was used as an elementary and middle-school.
The Meservey-Thornton mascot was the "Lancers". When the high school classes moved to Sheffield in 1988, the Lancer mascot was retained for the middle-school sports teams. However, with the S-C and M-T districts formally merging in 2007, the Lancer mascot was officially retired with a parade in July, 2007.
Due to declining enrollment, the former S-C, M-T, and neighboring Rockwell-Swaledale school districts entered a whole-grade sharing agreement to become the West Fork school district in 2008, with the "Warhawks" as the new mascott.
The Thornton building closed after the 2007-08 season after 72 years of service, and all students now attend Sheffield and Rockwell. Each remaining school will have K - 3, Rockwell will house 4 - 8 and Sheffield 9 - 12.
~ Thornton Chamber of Commerce
~ ~ ~ ~
Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
March 11, 1908Town Wiped From Map by Fire.
Property Loss At Thornton Is Seventy Thousand
THORNTON - Thornton was almost wiped from the map by fire on the 11th. Seven business blocks, almost the entire business section of the city were destroyed. The property loss is about $70,000, with $12,000 insurance.
The fire originated in a bowling alley, where the flames were first noticed about 2 o’clock a. m. The alarm was given promptly. Thornton has no fire fighting apparatus and the flames were soon beyond control. The structures were all of frame construction and the flames spread rapidly from one to another. The buildings were so quickly consumed that it was impossible to remove the stocks of goods and they were almost entirely consumed.
The losers in the fire are:
W. H. PARISH, barber shop and billiard hall; George DART, bowling alley; J. A. ANDREWS, meat market; J. W. BRAGA, restaurant; Perry BAILEY, general merchandise; ENGLEBREISON & Son, general merchandise; Dr. HUNTER, physician's office.
~ ~ ~ ~
Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
By Deb NicklaySchool on Register:
Thornton building historically significant
THORNTON - When Thornton residents built their new school in 1936, they probably weren't worrying whether it would survive into the next century - they perhaps just wanted it to last longer than its predecessor, which was destroyed by fire.
The Thornton Consolidated School is one of 14 Iowa schools to earn a listing on the register, and the only one chosen from North Iowa. Today the school is home to middle school and elementary school students for Meservey-Thornton Community Schools.
"Thornton Consolidated School is locally significant . . . for its association with the era of school consolidation of rural townships with independent schools that provided educational services to rural areas in Iowa," says the summary compiled by the National Park Service, which administrates the listing.
The school will be included in a booklet outlining historically significant country, town and city schools which will be distributed to public libraries and other agencies, said Beth FOSTER HILL, National Register coordinator of the State Historical Society of Iowa.
"There is a growing interest in schools, and so many are so beautiful and should be preserved," she said.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's cultural resources considered worthy of preservation. It is part of a national program designed to identify, evaluate and protect historic and archeological resources.
A team surveyed 100 schools in the state and selected 30 to be listed. Of that group, 14 schools were chosen, HILL said.
The school replaced one that burned to the ground on Jan. 24, 1935. By the end of that year, the school was granted a $38,250 Public Works Administration grant for a new building. The building cost $85,000 to build. The balance of the cost was paid for through fire insurance and a local bond issue.
The Public Works Administration was designed to put Depression-plagued Americans to work. Between 1933 and 1939, the federal agency spent $3.3 billion on public projects, ranging from schools and post offices to hospitals, roads and dams.
The school was built of buff-colored brick and art deco accents. Harry P. HANSEN and Karl WAGGONER, who designed many of the school buildings in Mason City, were the architects. The general contractor was [Chris] RYE and HENKEL, also of Mason City. The school was expanded in 1955 with the addition of more classrooms and a new gym.
"Owing to the unique design and arrangement, the Thornton school plant is attracting considerable attention in North Iowa," said a Globe Gazette article reporting on the school's dedication in December 1936. "According to reports, enrollment of tuition pupils has increased considerably because of the new building."
~ ~ ~ ~
Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Saturday, July 5, 2008
By Mary PieperOld friends say farewell to Thornton school
THORNTON — Iona AHRENS, who was among the first students to attend Thornton school when it was completed in 1936, returned to the school Saturday to relive old memories.
"It's sad to see it all go by the wayside," said the Thornton resident, who started eighth grade at the school and graduated in 1941. "So many kids who graduated from here have done well for themselves."
An open house was held at the school Saturday as part of a Meservey-Thornton School alumni reunion.
The school, which was expanded in 1955, closed at the end of the 2007-08 school year due to the whole-grade sharing agreement between the Sheffield-Chapin/Meservey Thornton and Rockwell-Swaledale school districts which begins this fall.
The school, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was built to replace an earlier building destroyed by fire.
AHRENS remembers attending school at a dance hall and various churches in town while the new school was being built.
The school later consolidated with Meservey. The last Meservey-Thornton High School graduating class was in 1988. After that, Meservey-Thornton students went to high school in Sheffield.
The Thornton building was serving as the SCMT Middle School when it closed this spring.
Ryan FROHLING of Ventura, a 1988 Meservey-Thornton graduate, brought his two children, Emma, 7, and Max, 4, to the open house.
He said when he mentioned getting the invitation, "they said they wanted to see where I went to school."
FROHLING said the open house also gave him the chance to visit with former classmates he hadn’t seen since graduation.
Former teachers at the school also came back for the open house.
Dennis CABALKA, who now lives in Ladora, taught instrumental music at the Thornton school from 1973 to 1976. It was his first teaching job. He said he and his wife, Janine, knew they would come to the open house the minute they heard about it.
"We miss the people in the community," he said. "It's a warm, open community."
Former teachers Gary and Rosemary MUHLENBRUCK of Thornton also came to the open house. Gary taught junior high school, driver’s ed and other subjects at the school from 1962 to 1995. Rosemary taught first grade there for 25 years. Students called Gary "Mr. Mully," and Rosemary "Mrs. M." Rosemary said seeing former students during the open house was a great experience.
"He has four generations of kids," said Rosemary. "They are your kids forever."
Gary said it is sad to see the school close, but "I remember everything. I've got it in my head. That’s enough."
Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Saturday, July 23, 2008
By Deb NicklayThornton school sale set for Wednesday
THORNTON - Items in Thornton school will be sold on an abandoned property sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27, at the school.
The property was purchased by Richard Westcott of Mason City at the time he purchased the school building. The school district later canceled the sale of the building. The items went unclaimed.
The Cerro Gordo sheriff's office will sell the items.
A wide range of items will be sold, from chalkboards and overhead projectors to volleyball stands and shelving.
~ ~ ~ ~
Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday July 8, 2010
By Laura BirdThornton marking its 125th birthday
THORNTON — The city of Thornton plans a big celebration July 9-11.
The community of around 358 people will celebrate Thornton’s quasquicentennial — or 125th anniversary.
"It's going to be a fun time,” said Mary SCHLICHTING, co-chairperson of the event. “I think everybody will enjoy the weekend and hopefully the weather is good and we have a good turnout."
The three-day event will kick off with a torch run led by Thornton native John KASPER, who was on the 1998 U.S. Olympic bobsled team.
The run will also include other current and former Thornton residents.
"A lot of people are coming back for it," SCHLICHTING said.
Another highlight of the weekend will be the parade. More than 100 veterans and current military members are expected for the parade where they will be honored as grand marshals.
"We chose to honor them for their precious time and efforts that they gave to maintain our freedom," said Bonnie YOUNGE, parade committee chair. "We just really appreciate what they do for us."
Other events include free children's activities and live music.
Schedule of events
Friday, July 9:5 p.m. Food served.
5:30 p.m. Torch Run.
6 p.m. Opening Ceremonies.
7 p.m. Kiddie Parade
7:30 p.m. Watermelon feed.
8 p.m. Endless Summer Band and the beer garden opens (free admission).
Saturday, July 1010 a.m. Parade
Noon: Adult bag tournament ($40 per couple).
Noon: Horseshoe tournament.
Noon- 5 p.m. Inflatables, climbing wall and children’s games (all free).
Noon to 8:30 p.m. Free live entertainment in the park.
After the parade: Isiserettes, a drum and dance group from Des Moines.
1 to 1:30 p.m. Kala Halfpop, singer/actress.
1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Silly Sally, entertainer, clown and educator.
2:15 to 2:45 p.m. Jive for Five, quintet of brass players.
2:45 to 3:15 p.m. Larry Delawder, of Branson, Mo., Barney Fife impersonator with a Gospel message, comedy, harmonica and singing.
3:15 to 3:45 p.m. Don Shire, of White Lake, Wis., trumpet/shofar player.
3:45 to 4:15 p.m. Forgiven, a Gospel quartet from Bartlesville, Okla.
4:15 to 4:30 p.m. Little Miss Swan.
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dan’s One Man Band, local band.
5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Jive for Five.
6:15 to 7 p.m. Larry Delawder.
7 to 7:45 p.m. Don Shire.
7:45 to 8:30 p.m. Forgiven.
5 p.m. Pork chop supper at the fire station ($8 per person).
9 p.m. Johnny Holm Band and beer garden ($10 admission).
Sunday, July 1110 a.m. Worship service featuring Forgiven.
EMT breakfast after worship.
Noon: Opening of 1985 time capsule.
~ ~ ~ ~
KMIT-3 News, July 11, 2010
Thornton Looks Into The Past
Folks in Thornton wrapped up their sesquicentennial celebration Sunday by looking into the past.
A time capsule buried during the city's centennial celebration 25 years ago was opened today. Old calendars, pens, books and other random items were in the capsule. All were in good condition.
Organizers of the sesquicentennial celebration say this is a great way to remember the history of their community.
"It was buried in October of 1985. The committee put different items that we thought would be of importance for our community to look at 25 years later," said Mary SCHLICHTING.
SCHLICHTING is currently collecting items for another time capsule to be buried in a couple months. That one will be opened 25 years from now.
~ ~ ~ ~
Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Friday, December 6, 2001
By Dick JohnsonThornton out to save its store
THORNTON - Small-town residents get used to having a "hub" like Thornton Hardware and Gifts.
It's the kind of place where you can drop off your dry-cleaning, get something sharpened, buy a furnace filter, carpet cleaner and a birthday card, and, of course, shoot the breeze.
If you're stuck at home, the owners might even drop off your order.
That's life in Thornton, pop. 364. Everybody looking out for everybody else.
But things are changing. Steve and Cindee DICKMAN, who have owned Thornton Hardware and Gifts for 51/2 years, plan to sell it by Jan. 1.
The DICKMANS' selling price is $52,000. The building has been there at 321 Main St. for at least 80 years.
"We felt when we originally bought the place that we did it to keep the hardware store going," Steve said. "We did our share. We need some new ideas. It's time for us to move on.
"The main object here is to keep it open for the farmers. You do it to keep things going, keep the town going, keep the farmers going."
A movement is under way to do just that. On Nov. 7, about 19 people gathered to present their feelings about the store, consider options and gauge interest in saving it.
About 50 attended a town meeting on Nov. 21 at Meservey-Thornton Elementary and Middle School. Ideas presented include selling local products and crafts on the gift shop side of the store, and having a seasonal farmer's market.
A corporation may be formed, with staff and an unpaid board of directors; shares in the store could be sold.
People were asked to write down a realistic number of shares they'd be willing to purchase. A total of 210 shares were "raised" at $100 apiece.
Memberships also could be offered, Thornton resident Julie CARLSON said. In return for buying memberships, customers would get discounts on goods and services from the store.
"The feeling was that people really do want the hardware store," CARLSON said. "I know there is interest in this. I want to be a part of it. The main thing is, the hardware store needs to be here."
"Small towns are trying to rally," said Connie PALS of Thornton, who attended the Nov. 21 meeting. "If you don't get together and try save some of it, you don't have a small town anymore."
A deadline of Dec. 20 was set to determine the hardware store's future. If community interest in preserving it is low, the goods inside will be auctioned off and the building sold.
"Everybody in the community wants to keep the store open," Steve DICKMAN said. "It's a real store. There aren't many 'mom and pop' stores left.
"Older people come for a lot of services. They like the services you give them: 'Can you find this?' 'Can you clean my gutters?' That's what we do. I guess that's the benefit of shopping here - it's a lot of little things that make it go.
"And," DICKMAN added, "we wouldn't have it any other way, to be honest with you."
~ ~ ~ ~
Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Friday, March 7, 2003
By Dick JohnsonThornton store finds new life
THORNTON - Three months ago, the future was uncertain for the century-old Thornton Hardware and Gift store.
Owners Steve and Cindee DICKMAN had put the store up for sale and planned to close it on Jan. 1 to pursue other interests.
Concerned about the potential loss of a town institution, Julie CARLSON of rural Thornton purchased the store at 321 Main St. for $47,000 and took over on Feb. 15.
"It's very fun," she said. "It feels good to be contributing something to the community. I like being part of the community."
"I didn't want it to close," said Chad STECKEL of Meservey, a frequent customer. "We want to keep things that we have and add to it, instead of having things go away. I like it. It's a good move."
The learning began at once for CARLSON, 35.
Running a hardware-and-gift store means tinting paint, working with plumbing and electrical items, cutting glass and pipe and assembling balloon bouquets, among dozens of other responsibilities.
CARLSON discovered that large tacks arranged every five feet in the old wooden floor were put there to measure rope and chain.
"I love that, the variety and the diversity," she said. "It's a work in progress, but everything that I like to do and everything that I can do, I'm putting all the pieces together.
"I'm like a sponge, learning all this. If people come in here and they describe their project - what they're doing - I can probably figure it out."
Along with Trustworthy Hardware products, CARLSON is selling Niman Ranch meats and food items including honey, barbecue sauce and condiments. Baked goods also will be sold eventually. On the gift shop side, she has gift cards, crochet work, arts and crafts, goat milk soap, homemade candles and bath-and-body products, among other items.
Members of the Thornton Women's League will operate the I-35 Farmer's Market on the second Saturday of the month, starting in June.
While she's making some changes, such as adding a credit card machine, Carlson said she intends to maintain the store's character.
"I have lights on in here," she said. "I have a candle burning. It's a cheerful place. The coffee's not that great, but the hospitality makes up for it."
The Thornton Hardware and Gift store is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
~ ~ ~ ~
Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Saturday, September 13, 2003Thornton church to observe 120th anniversary Sunday
THORNTON — The Rev. George ORVICK, past president of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS), will preach at the 120th anniversary celebration of Richland Lutheran Church in Thornton at a 2 p.m. festival service Sunday.
ORVICK, the ELS president for 30 years until his retirement in 2002, is a son of the congregation.
The ELS (formerly the Norwegian Synod) traces its beginning to Lime Creek in 1918, and is based in Mankato, Minn.
The Richland congregation was begun by mostly Danish families in 1881. For almost 50 years, the church stood two miles south of Thornton, where the cemetery still is located. In 1929, the church was moved into town, placed on a full basement and remodeled.
Although the church was not a member of the Norwegian Synod for many years, it always was served by Norwegian Synod pastors. When the three major Norwegian Lutheran church bodies merged in 1917, the congregation did not join the merged church but continued to receive pastors from the minority group that today is the ELS.
It is the only ELS church which was founded as a Danish Lutheran congregation.
"Our celebration is really a celebration of the Lutheran commitment to Jesus and the Bible. The history of this congregation is a great example that loyalty to family and nationality can and should be overcome by loyalty to the word of God," said the church's current pastor, the Rev. Jerry GERNANDER.
A former pastor of the congregation, the Rev. John MOLDSTAD Sr., will preach at the church's Sunday morning service.
~ ~ ~ ~
Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, August 28, 2008
By Laura AndrewsChit Chat thrives as Thornton's gathering spot
THORNTON — If you're looking for a restaurant with a small town feel and home-cooked food, look no further than the Chit Chat Cafe in Thornton.
Decorated with Marilyn Monroe mementoes and other 1950's memorabilia, the Chit Chat Cafe has been successfully operating in a town of fewer than 500 people the past 32 years.
Richard and Janice DORENKAMP own the restaurant, but it’s mostly run by Shirley PROCTOR, Thornton.
It's the restaurants regulars that give it the small-town feel.
Five days a week the restaurant opens at 5:30 a.m. and a regular group of women and men wander in for morning coffee. The women sit at one table, while the men sit at what has been dubbed the "liar's table."
"You gotta come up here every morning and get your news,” said Bob LEININGER, Thornton, who's a regular at the men's table. “It’s good food, too."
The groups help themselves to coffee and Richard DORENKAMP and PROCTOR trust they'll pay for their coffee and food before they leave.
They also trust regulars to lock up if they want to stay past closing. All they ask is that they shut off the lights.
"It's so tight knit that if someone doesn't show up we want to know why," PROCTOR said. "We get concerned."
Even though the regulars are close, they welcome out-of-towners and people off the interstate.
The out-of-towners come for the food, DORENKAMP said.
Dinner includes a choice of four meats and three desserts.
The main part of the restaurant usually fills up quickly and then the back room has to be opened up. Another overflow room also is available.
Sunday dinners are what keep the restaurant going and in turn the Chit Chat Cafe keeps the town going.
"We're here for Sunday dinners practically every Sunday," said Marvis FLOY, Thornton.
It's been the DORENKAMP'S goal since they bought the restaurant to keep it open so the town stays strong.
"We've gotta have a restaurant in town," DORENKAMP said.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2011
Thornton, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Cerro Gordo Documents maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen