1. Dusenberry Dairy : Located in building formerly built by Vincent Buchmeier and used by him a s a dairy. He processed and bottled his own milk and operated a retail milk route in Durant and vicinity. Henry Dusenberry took over in March, 1951 and operates a retail milk route handling Iowans milk products, Meadow Gold ice cream and Durant Famers Creamery butter.
2. Herb Hebbeln: This building erected in 1949. Mr. Hebbeln was located in the old creamery building from 1947 to 1949. He handles all types of Lennox furnaces and also does air-conditioning.
3. Bob’s Cabins: Owned and operated by Mr. Robert Fletcher since 1946. He maintains seven completely modern cabins located on Highway No. 6.
4. Frick Funeral Home: Leroy Frick purchased the stock and equipment of the H. T. Diedrich Funeral Home in 1943. Also at that time he purchased the building where he is now located and had it completely remodeled into a very fine, up-to-date funeral home. We are indeed fortunate to have access to such fine facilities in Durant.
5. Johnny Hinrich’s Sinclair Station: Built by Roy Misel in 1936 and operated by Victor Schneckloth until 1949 when Victor Bill took over the station for a short time. Johnny Hinrichs followed and is still operating this business, handling a complete line of Sinclair Oil Products.
6. Knights of Pythias Hall: Chris Toll operated a dance hall and tavern on this site. In 1876 C. H. Blunk had a dry goods and grocery store followed by Adam Von Dresky and Vogeler Tavern. Next Emma and Lida Reimers opened a millinery shop. This building burned in 1900. The present hall was built in 1905 by Thomas Wulf and was known as the Durant Turner Hall. Mrs. Bertha Mordhorst is the present owner.
7. Durant Bottling Works: This business was formerly located in the old creamery building. The present building was erected by al Baumann and Arnold Petersen in 1947. They deliver soft drinks within a forty mile radius of Durant. In their peak year, they totaled 1,000,000 bottles of pop. They also have the National Franchise for Hire’s Root Beer.
7a. Larson Insurance Agency: Mr. Ray Larson took over this agency in 1946 from Blair Hull who had an insurance agency in Durant since 1931. Mr. Larson sells fire, auto, windstorm, hail, accident and life insurance. His office is located in the Durant Bottling Works building.
8. East End Tavern: Martin Buethien built this property in 1869 and sold general merchandise and bought grain. Mr. Wm. Schlapkohl purchased this store in 1908 and 1919 Leonard Dittmer bought the store and business and operated until 1932 when he sold to Ed Christensen who later moved his business to the Trede building. Later Gorge Roehlk purchased the building and Rudy Roehlk then operated a tavern here, followed by Oscar Bruensing and Vern Meyer. Herny Ploen and Arnold Christensen now operate a tavern here. They also handle Skelgas..
9. Quality Store: Built by Henry Krone who operated a tavern followed by Hugo Wulf who opened a sandwich shop here. Later Hugo Boldt had a plumbing shop here and in October, 1927 Erickson Quality Grocery Store opened here. In June, 1928 Cecil McKillip became manager and in October, 1943 purchased the store and called it McKillip’s Quality Store. It is still operated by Mr. McKillip but is known as the Circle Food Store.
10. Schell Tavern: Built by Hans Ewoldt in 1873 and the adjoining dance hall was built in 1874. Henry Gruemmer bought the property in 1886 and in 1890 built a state in the hall. Jacob Ohlsen was the next owner followed by Thomas Wulf, Henry Krone, Louis Suhl and Julius Struve. Donald Schell is the present owner and operates a tavern in this building.
11. Trede Jewelry Store: Built by Henry Gruemmer and operated as a barber shop by Ernst Diedrich followed by Al Hagen and next owner followed by Thomas Wulf, Henry Krone, Louis Suhl and Julius Struve. Donald Schell is the present owner and operates a tavern in this building.
12. Titus Building: In 1873 Jim Diehn began butchering and operated a meat market in this location which was later taken over by Chris Sorgenfrey. Jim Diehn later operated a tavern in the east side of the building while Gus Nielsen operated a hotel in the other part of the structure. Mrs. James Diehn operated a fine boarding house here during the year 1900. In 1903 E. C. Schmitt started a bakery shop which he operated until 1946. Stanley Rynott then opened a furniture store and also handled paints and bottled gas. In 1946 the Durant Post Office was moved from the former Farmers & Merchants Bank building to this location. The office of Wm. Hamilton, Justice of the Peace, is also located in this building.
12a. Titus Cleaners: Opened in 1948 by Robert Titus in building directly north of the Titus building. They do all kinds of laundry an dry cleaning.
13. Dr. J. E. Christiansen, M.D.: This location was originally the office of Dr. E. O. Muhs from 1932 until 1937 when Dr. Christiansen began practicing on July 5th of that year.
14. Dr. B. J. Lewis, D.D.: In 1919 Dr. Lewis began his dentist office in Durant, and was first located in the building east of the Wm. Meese residence. In 1938 he moved to his present location, north of the Liberty Trust & Saving Bank. This location was also the office of Dr. W. R. Mecklenburg M.D. for three or four years and was the residence of Dr. Hamilton and later the home of Chris Sorgenfrey.
15. Liberty Trust & Savings Bank: The original building which stood on this site was the home and office of Dr. Henry Schumacher, the first physician in Iowa to use cocaine as a local anaesthetic. Ferd Stoltenberg also operated a tavern in this building. This building was then moved to the north part of the lot and the Durant Post Office was located here during the terms of office of Ernest Jockheck and O. W. Bierkamp. This building was subsequently used for a pool hall and ice cream parlor and bakery shop. The present bank building was built in 1912 by the Durant Savings Bank and purchased by the Liberty Trust & Savings Bank in 1935.
16. Stan’s Meat Marker: This was the former Durant Savings Bank Building until they moved to their new location in 1912. This was also the location of the Bauer-Levine Meat Market, later becoming the Bauer-Thiessen Market and then was operated by Leonard “Slim” Thiessen until his death. Harlan Finck then managed the meat market for one ear until March, 1953 when Mr. Stan Weisrock took over and is the present butcher.
17. Miller Drug Store: This building was built in 1887 by Gus Muhs and was occupied by him as a men’s clothing and shoe store. Dr. V. W. Byrnes bought the building in 1902 and opened a medical office and drug store. Drs. Chapman and Meyhaus then purchased the building and they sold to Dr. James Irvin. Mr. H. A. Miller took over in 1921 and is still operating the drug store. Mr. Miller has been in business at this location a third of a century and in the drug business for fifty years.
18. Gritton’s Tavern: This building was built in 1881 by Hans Jacob and George Brauch who operated a hardware and grocery store. Mr. Brauch left and it became a furniture and hardware store. This was also the location of the Durant Post Office when Mr. Brauch was postmaster. Herman Brauch, the son, then operated the store and was also the undertaker until 1914 when D. C. Wunder, purchased the establishment. On January 1, 1924, the business became a partnership, known as Diedrich and Carstens and remained so until 1934, when, upon the death of Jacob H. Carstens, the business was sold to Hartwig Diedrich who was funeral director until 1943 when he sold the building to Vance Gritton. Mr. Gritton operated a movie house and later converted the building into a tavern.
19. Mac’s White Way Café: Gus Gruemmer operated a tavern in this building, followed by Henry Wendt who operated a restaurant. He was followed by Otto Graves, Vena Bockwoldt, Chas. Hagen, Otto Ziebarth, J. S. Bradford and A. C. Eckerman, who were all engaged in the restaurant business. F. H. McCleery purchased the building in 1944 and is still operating a café.
20. Davis Barber Shop: Formerly the home of Frank Voss in 1869. In 1886 Hans Kruse bought the property and added the east side where he operated a butcher shop until 1898 followed by Claus Rohlf. In 1912 Bauer and Levine were located here. Then Henry Laschanzky started a barber shop followed by Westphal and Staack. It has housed a barber shop ever since, Mr. Howard Davis being the present barber.
21. American Legion Home Site: Originally this site was the Henry Thiessen home and tavern. The Famers & Merchant Bank built the present building in 1903 and operated until 1931. In 1936 the Durant Post Office moved into this building and remained here until the Legion purchased the building in 1946 and completely remodeled it to suit their needs.
22. R. & L Bakery: This site was the barber shop of P. C. Payton until 1897 when it was occupied as an office by Dr. V. W. byrnes. This structure was later moved and the present building was erected in 1915 by Louis Trede. This was the location of the Chris Rohlfs and Fred Crull Meat Market until 1934 when Ed Christensen moved his grocery store to this building. He sold in 151 to Mr. I.S. Jones who operated a grocery store until his death in 1953. The R. & L. Bakery now occupies the building.
23. Dr. Wyman W. Weeber, D.O.: In 1897 P. C. Payton opened a jewelry store here and operated it until 1903 when the building was purchased by Louis Trede and operated by him as a jewelry store until his death in 1937. His nephew, Geo. H. Trede, then operated the store until 1945 when he moved to a new location. Dr. Weeber opened his osteopathic office here in 1953.
24. Durant Hardware Store: Peter Stoltenberg opened a harness shop here in 1874 and sold to Herman Tuefel in 1908. In 1920 Mr. Tuefel sold to Herman Lamp and Albert J. Mumm who operated a hardware store until 1952 when they dissolved partnership and the business was sold. Mr. Howard Speer is the present owner and operated the business.
25. Dickey Implement Co.: The east side of the building was once a blacksmith shop operated by Fritz Timmermann for seven years. Rash mcClean followed as a smithy and operated a machine shop. Part of this building was the old Karroff residence in which was located a mustard factory operated by Hans Erickson. Following this Louis Trede opened a jewelry store. Then Wm. Bierkamp bought this property and built the west frame structure. Arthur and Roy Schiele purchased the building in 1906 from Wm. Bierkamp and in 1907 Arthur purchased Roy’s interest and operated here until 1912. He carried a full line of farm machinery, buggies, wagons and automobiles. In 1908 he took the agency for Mitchell automobiles and sold the first car to be sold in Durant. Later he sold Moline, Studebaker and Chevrolet automobiles. He sold to Elza Lundy in 1912 who operated an implement business until 1916 when Mr. Lundy sold his business to A. J. Kleinjan. Mr. Kleinjan carried on in the implement business until 1945 when he sold to S. A. Dicky who is still operating, selling New Idea, Ferguson and Massey Harris farm machinery as well as DeLaval Separators and milkers and Maytag and Bendix appliances.
26. Durant Café: Handermark & Hemple opened a shoe repair shop at this location over eighty years ago. Later this building was moved to another site. In 1902 Ernest Lautz built the present structure which was used as a clothing store. In 1916 he sold to Fred Bielenberg who also operated a clothing store followed by Mr. Richard Anderson, Henry Laschanzky and George Hass, all clothiers. Wm. Goll operated a pool hall here until the building was purchased by George Shea who operated a café. Later the business was sold to Earl Tunis and Dr. Hood now owns the building.
27. L. C. Luethye Co.: Henry Boll operated a harness shop in the 1880’s Miss A. C. Englan then had a millinery shop followed by Chas. Schneckloth barber shop from 1908 to 1912. Vena Bockwoldt and Rosa Hutcendorf then operated a lunch room in this building. In 1918 Wm. Luense had a harness shop in the back of the building and Wm. Bierkamp had a real estate office in the front part of the building. In 1937 L. C. Luethye purchased the building from Mr. Bierkamp and added office quarters onto the east side of the building. Luethye does plumbing, heating, electrical work and handles General Electric appliance.
27a. Dr. James Hood, Veterinarian: The office space on the east side of the Luethye building was occupied by Dr. Lonergan, M.D. for a period of two years, followed by Dr. I. W. Moranville, Veterinarian, until 1945 when Dr. James Hood took over and is still practicing.
28. Elmer Makoben Tavern: Leonard Petersen built this place in 1891 and operated until 1902. he sold to F.C. Gimm followed by Wm. Belter in 1904, Hugo Schnekloth in 1919, George Hass in 1921, Peter Martin in 1922, A. J. Bangert in 1928 and Elmer Makoben, the present owner, in 1940.
28a. Warren “Skip” Raymond Barber Shop: Purchased the trade from Ed Moravek in 1952. Ed Moravek came to Durant in 1914 and worked with Henry Laschanzky in what is now known as the Luethye building for four months prior to locating in the Geo. H. Trede site. Mr. Moravek then moved to the north side of the Elmer Makoben building where he operated a barber shop for many years.
29. A. R. Lamp Produce: Ben Hoag came in 1907 to operate a produce house. In 1909 he erected the building which is now occupied by A. R. Lamp. Mr. Hoag purchased eggs, poultry and cream which were shipped to other markets. Mr. Lamp has operated his produce station since 1916.
30. Cole Motor Co.: In 1899 H. F. Bierkamp operated an implement shop here and in 1906 Mr. Bierkamp stated in the automobile business, taking on the Overland and Maxwell agency. In 1909 he discontinued this line and started selling Ford cars. Mr. Bierkamp sold Fords for thirty-eight year, and when he sold out in 1947, he had had the Ford agency longer than any other dealer in the State of Iowa. In 1947 the business was sold to Bleyart Brothers who operated under the name of Durant Motor Co. In 1954 the business was sold to Lawrence Cole and moved to a different location. Cole Motor Co. leased the building in 1954 and handled Plymouth and Desoto automobiles, operated by Merwyn Cole.
31. Henderson Motor Co.: Wm. Wulf operated a blacksmith shop here until 1881 when John Dietz followed in the trade. Next was Chas. Stutzer, followed by Hy Guelek and John Bierkamp who was a blacksmith in Durant for over fifty years. Mr. Bierkamp sold to H. J. Kunzelmann who operated a blacksmith shop for a short while. The front half of the building was built by Wm. Broders and he and H. H. Schafer operated an implement business here until 1927. Then Hugo Schneckloth had a garage at this location for one year and then Arthur F. Schiele purchased the building, enlarging it in 1937. Mr. Schiele operated a garage, selling Chevrolets until May, 1943, when he sold to Henderson Motor Co.
32. Wm. Luense: Mr. Luense came to Durant in 1918 and operated a harness shop in the rear of what is now the Luethye building. Two years later he moved to the present Durant News building until 1921 when he built and moved to the building he now occupies. He has been a harness maker for sixty years and also does shoe repairing.
33. Stucco Tourist Home: Dr. Thomas Jacobs, M.D. bought this place in 1920, opened an office and enlarged the building so it could serve as a hospital. Dr. Jacobs left in 1933 and in 1936 J. S. Bradford purchased the building and operated a rooming house. In 1938 it was sold to Mrs. Nellie Archibald Ehlert who operated a tourist home. In 1944 it was purchased by Wm. Lohse who sold to Elmer Langmann in 1946. In 1950 it was purchased by Emil banister who is the present owner and operator.
34. Durant Frozen Food Locker Plant: This building was erected in 1940 and has been operated by B. J. Grings since that time.
35. Fran’s Beauty Salon: Located in what was the former F. N. Bockwoldt residence and is operated by Mrs. Harry Larson.
36. Ellis Motel: Built in 1952 by Mr. P. D. Ellis and features eleven completely modern motel units.
37. Nodurft Home Plumbing and Heating Co.: Mr. Nodurft was formerly located in the old creamery building until 1952 when this building was erected. Mr. Nodurft does plumbing and heating as well as repair work and features Westinghouse appliances.
38. American Petroleum Station: This station was built in 1933 by Harry McMurphy and was taken over by Stanley Rynott in 1935 who operated for several years. Mr. Frank Meixner is the present station operator.
39. Durant Engineering: Built in 1948 by Russell Bixby. He does machine work, makes toos and dies and does welding.
40. Leese Hatchery: Owned and operated by Alvin Leese who came to Durant in the spring of 1948 and it is located just west of the schoolhouse. Mr. Leese operates a hatchery and sells feed and buys and sells produce.
41. Idle Hour Lanes: Built in 1950 by a. F. and Wendell Schukar featuring eight very modern bowling alleys. Mr. A. F. schukar became the sole owner in 1954 by buying out his brother’s interest.
41a. Idle Hour Café.: Operated by Mrs. Norma Korthaus in connection with the bowling lanes.
42. Midway Station: Now open for business located on Highway No. 6.
43. Durant Farmers Creamery Association: Was organized in 1916 with the following board members: Chas. Boettger, Henry Goettsch, Ben Kook, Henry Nitz and George Thede. In 1917 the present structure was built and the first butter churned in 1917. This building has since been enlarged and new and modern equipment installed. Mr. A. R. Lamp has been secretary-treasurer since 1918. Mr. Harold G. Davis became buttermaker in 1921 and still serves in that capacity.
44. Equity Farmers Co-operative Store Company: The original building was erected in 1857and belonged to Joe Hering during the 1870’s. In 1876 C. H. Blunk opened a dry goods and grocery store on the north side and on the south side Joe Hering operated a tavern. Later Hoepner and Petersen operated the store and then it became Petersen and Tagge store and tavern until 1920 when it became the Equity Farmers Co-operative Store Company with Harry Puck as manger for many years. In November, 1946, Raymond Christensen became manager until March, 1950 when C. D. Bentley took over as manager. The store has since been remodeled and they are starting further improvements.
45. Standard Oil Station: this station was built in 1925 and the first operator was Herman Reimers followed by Wm. Bockwoldt and Harvey Wiese. In 1928 Henry Smull operated the station until 1931 when Chas. Knudsen took over and is still operating. This station is also the stop for the Greyhound Bus lines, said bus lines having operated through Durant since 1924.
45a. Henry Smull Standard Old Bulk Station: Mr. Smull has operated the bulk plant and tank wagon service since 1931.
46. Mueller Feed Store: This building was erected by A. F. Schiele who operated a garage until 1928 when he moved to the present Henderson Garage site. In 1947 he sold the building to Mueller & Sons who operated a Feed seed & Grain Store. Mr. Otto Schwitzer is the manager.
47. Erickson Trucking Lines: This building was built by Henry Nelson in 1904 and he sold coal and ice followed by George Reimers and then Henry Stutzer. In 1290 Horn Bros. brought from Stutzer and added a trucking line. In 1944 harry and Waldo Horn sold to Erickson who operates eight livestock trucks, trucking principally to Chicago. they have an Interstate Commerce Commission permit.
48. Fire Station Site: Wm. Wulf started a coal and tile business and scale office just east of this location in the Pythian Park in 1883 and in 1904 sold to Henry Nelson who moved the building to the present Erickson Trucking site. The present building housing our fire department and city jail was built in 1923.
49. Durant Elevator: The first elevator was owned by Wm. Koester and purchased by Theo. Sindt in 1890. In 1893 it burned down completely and was rebuilt and sold in 1902 to Ed and Fred Denkmann. In 1903 it burned again and was rebuilt in 1925, operating under the name of Fred Denkmann and Son. In 1931, the son, Richard, operated alone until 1933 when B. C. Denkmann became a partner I the business known as the Durant Elevator Company. In 1952 it was taken over by Richard Denkmann and Son.
50. Roy’s Refrigeration Service: This business started in 1953 by Roy Staschke in the old scale office. he features all types of refrigeration repair as well as a complete line of Crosley appliances.
51. Schneckloth Lumber Company: This site was originally an elevator owned and operated by Frank Haller for many years. He also bought cattle and hogs. In 1899 it was struck by lightning and burned down completely and was never rebuilt. In 1900 the present building was built by Mueller Lumber Company and was managed by Rudolph Meyer, followed by Jim Harkens and Wm. Welch. In December, 1931, it was sold to H. H. Schneckloth Lumber Company. They deal in lumber, paint, hardware, coal and ready-mix cement. Mr. Wm. Erps is the manager.
52. Farm Equipment Company: This building was erected by Henry Stutzer and used as a dairy barn. In 1922 he converted it into a garage which he operated until 1931. E. E. Baxter & Sons purchased it in 1935 and added a filling station. Later the station was operated by Lyle Bridgford for one year followed by Vern Meyer for a few years. In 1947 the building was bought by Mrs. Herman Schneckloth and in 1950 the Farm Equipment Company leased the building and are dealers for John Deere equipment.
53. Porky’s Maid-Rite: Built by Vic Schneckloth in 1950 and operated by him until December, 1951 when he sold to H. C. “Porky” Snyder, the present owner.
54. Durant Implement Company: This structure was built by Joe McCoy and purchased by Carl F. Miller in 1946. Mr. Miller sold to Henry Martz in 1953. Mr. Martz sells Oliver Machinery and New Holland balers.
55. Arny Alpen Trucking and Bottle Gas Service: Mr. Alpen started trucking in 1941, principally livestock to Chicago and local and long distance moving. He now operates seven trucks. In 1953 he purchased the propane Gas business from Wm. Robb.
56. Foy’s D-X Service Station: Built by Walter Guttenfelder in 1936 and he operated the station, lunch room and garage until 1945. Merle Foy has been in charge since 1949 and features D-X products.
57. Durant Foundry and Machine Company: This foundry was built I n1948, making aluminum and brass castings. Wlater Anderson and Chester W. Johnson are managers.
58. D-X Bulk Plant: Orville Valet manages the bulk station and operates D-X tank wagon service.
59. Russelloy Foundry: This building was erected in 1947 and is a branch of the Riverside Foundry of Bettendorf.
They make grey iron castings.
60. Kahl Body Shop: Petersen Bros. built this place in 1916 and were located at that time on the main highway into town. They operated a garage until 1949 when Kahl took over and today operates a body repair shop.
60a. Furst & Close Garage: Located in the Kahl Body Shop. Operated by Hans Furst and Ralph Close and doing engine work.
61. Cities Service Bulk Plant: Operated by Roy Lammers who also has Cities Service Tank Wagon Service.
62. Farm Service Bulk Plant: Under management of Walter Lambert. Also drives Farm Service Tank Wagon.
63. C. T. Schacht: In 1920 John Schacht Sr. purchased the concrete block plant from C. H. Burmeister which he operated in connection with his mason contracting business. In 1923 his son, Carl, became a partner and the firm was known as John Schacht & Son. The firm expanded into general contracting, doing carpenter and mason work, adding lumber, Tile and coal. In 1946 upon the death of his father, Carl became owner, adding millwork and fencing material.
64. Pioneer Hi-Bred See Corn Company: Formerly the Farmers Institute Sale Pavilion where livestock sales were held. The Farmers Institute was finally disbanded and in 1934 the building was sold to the Pioneer Hi-Bred Corn Company and has been enlarged a number of times and modern equipment installed. Hugh Morrison was the first manager. M. L. “Lyle” Bruch was manager from 1938 to 1951 when Ronald Anderson took over and it’s the present manager. They employ twenty men on a yearly basis and at harvest time twenty-five extra men are hired to sort, dry, shell and sack the seed corn. During detasseling, they employ six hundred boys and girls in addition to two hundred foreign laborers (Mexicans, Jamaicans and Bahamans). One year they hired war prisoners. Pioneer contracts twenty-two hundred acres for commercial seed and process from 125,000 to 140,000 bushels of seed corn per year. The Parent Seed Corn Plant in connection with this is managed by Byron Blewett.
65. Durant Fabricationg and Repair Company: This building was erected by Clarence Hass and Wm. Specht in 1923 as a garage. In 1925 Elmer Langmann purchased the interest of Clarence Hass and it was known as Langmann and Specht until 1926 when Specht operated it alone. In 1932 it was purchased by the Farmer’s Union Oil Company and in 1937 it was sold to Louis Warner and Known as the Durant Oil Company. In April, 1951 it was sold to Wesley Muller, the present owner who does blacksmithing, welding and operates a machine shop.
66. Durant Body Shop: Built in 1952 by Evald Toft who also operates same.
67. Durant Feed Mill: In 1893 Herman Huchendorf sold his mill at Pine Creek and was looking for a new location either in Durant or Wilton. At that time public spirited farmers in this vicinity offered to give money toward the building of a mill, so Durant became the site. In 1903 it was sold to Otto Kruger and A. B. Nelson. In 1907 Otto Kruger sold his share of the Durant Roller Mill to M. E. Nelson, and the two brothers operated the mill. They made Honest Abe Flour and delivered it by team within a radius of twenty to thirty miles. It was for a time the only mill in Cedar County. In 1918 Ace bought his brother Merle’s share and he continued to operate the mill until 1947 when he sold to John Fischer who is the present owner. The name was then changed to the Durant Feed Mill.
68. Durant Municipal Light Plant: This was the site of the Durant Town Hall which was built in 1891 where the Town Council meetings were held. It was removed in 1942 when the present plant was built. In 1941 a citizens committee was appointed with Arthur F. Schiele as General Chairman to act upon the proposition of a Municipal Light Plant. After a great deal of investigation and effort, it was brought before the people and an election was held. There were 515 votes cast of which 359 were Yes and 141 No and 15 spoiled ballots. This was the largest vote ever cast in Durant up to that time. The plant was built in 1942 with two engines installed. In 1945 a third engine was added and in 1951 a fourth. There are 599 meters installed in our town including residence, hot water, commercial and power meters. There are 48 transformers. Harry Sorgenfrey was the first manager from 1942 to 1946. O. E. Arny followed until 1948 and Robert Riggle is the present manager. The city scale and the office of the city clerk are also operated in connection with this building.
69. Pearl’s Beauty Shop: Henry Haak had a shop here where he made cigars. Mrs. henry Hagge opered her beauty shop here in 1948.
70. Telephone Office: Dr. H. T. Emeis, Physician, had a drug store and office here in 1878. Mrs. Andrew Banks operated a millinery store here for many years. Abe Knapp, Durant’s first veterinarian, later had his office here. Drs. V. W. and Thomas Byrnes opened a drug store and office which they operated for a number of years. Mr. Hans Meewes of Tipton, established and operated the first telephone exchange. Later it became the property of Dr. H. R. Chapman of Bennett and the lines extended to Bennett, Sunbury, New Liberty and Tipton. At this time there were 45 telephones. In 1928 it was sold to the Central Iowa Telephone Company and in 1953 it became the property of the United Telephone Company of Iowa. At present there are 650 telephones. Mrs. Phil Weber is at present the chief operator.
71. Durant News Office: Schroeder and Bohstedt came in 1876 and started a general store later operated by Mr. Bohstedt. John Stoltenberg followed. Mr. Bohstedt had a post office in the small building on the west side. The Durant Star was established in October, 1898 by Herman Kuehl as editor and publisher. In 1902 it passed into the hands of H. C. Ellingsworth for two years. He was succeeded by W. S. Price followed by C. W. Hamilton in 1907 who was the publisher until 1922. In 1925 George Harling became owner and publisher and changed the name to the Durant News. Mr. Harling has been editor and publisher of this weekly publication for twenty-seven years. He has also served as Justice of the Peace at various intervals. In 1952 Mr. Harling sold the paper to Charles Fry.
72. Trede Electric Company: In 1855 Dr. E. B. Bills, Durant’s first physician, built an office and drug store on this site and practiced until 1902. In 1907 Dr. V. W. Byrnes bought the place and erected a new building and opened a drug store and office. He practiced for forty-five years in Durant until 1944. In 1945 the building was sold to Wm. G. Trede who now operates an electric appliance store featuring Amana freezers and Hot Point appliances and odes all types of electrical wiring.
73. Dr. C. W. Trail, D.C.: Dr. Trail came to Durant in 1944 and purchased the Ferd Stoltenberg home where he has had his chiropractic office since that time.
74. Velma’s Beauty Shop: Operated by Mrs. Eldon Otto in her home in the north part of town formerly known as the Paustian residence.
75. Denkmann & Meinert: A partnership consisting of B. C. Denkmann and Walter Meinert writing all types of insurance and bonds. In existence since 1920.
76. Contractors: Joe McCoy, Herbert Johansen, Chas. Nissen and John Sorensen.
77. Jery Schiele: Owns and operates a truck doing local and long distance hauling.
78. Real Estate Brokers: Elmer Langmann and H. H. Schafer.