History of Caledonia, Iowa

FOSTER, SMITH, WHITE, REYNOLDS, MOORE, RANSOM

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/6/2009 at 16:47:06

HISTORY of CALEDONIA, IOWA

Caledonia, now a ghost town, is located in the northwest quarter of Section 10, Lott's Creek Township [T67N, R29W] in Ringgold County, Iowa, approximately three miles north of the Iowa/Missouri state line, and six miles south of Mt. Ayr.

The town was founded around the year 1855 with the post office opening in 1856. Caledonia is a Latin name given by the Roman Empire to a northern area of Great Britain.

The Caledonia church was built in 1872. Also in 1872, A. FOSTER owned and operated the general store. His brother L. FOSTER ran a harness shop and hotel which was standing, but in poor condition in the late 1970's. A. FOSTER was appointed as Caledonia's postmaster in February of 1882. FOSTER located the post office in the rear of his general store, located on the west side of Main Street. He later relocated his store and post office to the east side of Main Street, moving into what was once the broom shop.

The Odd Fellows Lodge #293 was established and re-chartered in February of 1893. The 1894 Ringgold County Plat Book recorded 14 buildings along Main and Summit Streets. According to the business directory of 1899, Caledonia had a broom shop, a Baptist Church, a Methodist Episcopal Church, FOSTER's general store, FOSTER's harness shop, FOSTER's hotel, SMITH Brother's general store, the I.O.O.F. hall, a blacksmith, three dressmakers' shops, a millinery store, a furniture store, a drug store, a doctor's office, and a saw mill located west of town.

Caledonia's post office closed on June 15th of 1908. A. FOSTER continued to operate his general store until he sold out to John WHITE in 1915.

Bonnie and Clyde, along with Clyde's brother Buck BARROW and Blanche BARROW, stopped at Caldeonia for supplies and bandages when fleeing from Missouri. The BARROW gang were involved in a shootout the following day, July 24, 1933, near Dexter, Iowa, where Buck was mortally wounded and Blanche was apprehended. Bonnie and Clyde eluded capture.

In 1970, The Mount Ayr Record-News stated that Caledonia had a population of 250 people at one time. An aerial photograph from 1966 reveals that the school, a church, the hotel and a few homes and farm buildings were still standing at Caledonia.

The last building remaining in Caledonia, 2007. This building was the office of Dr. A. W. REYNOLDS.
"The Caledonia Store Site: The first store here was owned and operated by General E. MOORE (illegible) was fleeing from the law. Stopped (illegible)."

Artist Holland FOSTER was born in Caledonia, Iowa, March 15, 1906, the son of Homer A. FOSTER (1870-1946) and Beatrice Cecil (HOLLAND) FOSTER (1872-1910). Holland married Dora Lucinda RANSOM (1907-1990). Holland and Dora were the parents of five children: Norman Holland (1934-1999), Homer Ransom, Robert Harry, Alexander Elliot, and Susan Jean FOSTER. Holland FOSTER died June 12, 1984, Palm Springs, California.