Page 4
THE FIRST CENTURY

     In a setting of tall bluestem prairie grass inhabited by Indians and wild animals, the first trickle of pioneers from eastern states arrived about the year 1834. Others followed in a thirteen wagon caravan in 1839, after the harrowing experience of getting across the mighty Mississippi. Familiar names were John and William Parr and son, Elliott Parr, James Henry, Thomas Shearer, and James Van Horn, all determined to start a new life in a strange land.

     The little settlement became a terminal point for the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad. The Iowa Land Co., agent for the railroad, surveyed and laid out the town in 1857, on 12 acres of land provided by Van Horn and Shearer. Naming the village Louden, in memory of their Ohio town of Loudenville, Loudonville, as shown on most maps, they later changed the spelling to Lowden, as recorded originally on government records.

     The railroad track to Lowden was completed in 1858, in time of severe financial stress. Since money was scarce, men turned to bartering and exchange of goods between Clinton and Cedar Rapids. A pump house, supply tank and coal chute were added.

     As the town grew in population, territorial additions were made. In 1866, more than 500 persons were living here. Incorporated in 1869, in ten more years Lowden was debt free.

     A carriage shop, five dry goods stores, two tinshops, a drug store, furniture store, two shoe and harness shops, a telegraph office, shipping yards, two doctors, two blacksmiths and numerous saloons made it a thriving community in the 1860’s. It was in this decade that immigrants from Germany arrived, after which Lowden’s reputation as a German community was firmly entrenched.

     An interest in education and religion initiated the erection of a school in 1860. Three separate church groups, Evangelical, Lutheran and Methodist were organized in the first decade and a half.

     Numerous fires took their toll through the years. One, sweeping through the business section, consumed two city blocks. A later conflagration devastated nine businesses. The first volunteer fire company was organized in 1879.

     By 1907, Lowden was ready to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding. Featured were a balloon ascension and a parachute leap.

     A bank, creamery, cigar factory, ice business, lumber yard, dairy, photography shop, sash and door works, newspaper, feather factory - all had their part in Lowden’s past. Some flourished, while other subsisted but a short time. Freund’s Department Store and Licht’s Dry Goods Store however, were widely known and drew many people from other areas.

     The public school eventually consolidated. The Methodist Church closed its doors, although the Zion Evangelical Church and Lutheran Church expanded and built new facilities to meet their needs, the later even maintaining its own school.

     Beginning with the Civil War, Lowden’s youth fought in all the major wars. A park dedicated to their memory is maintained in northwest Lowden and serves the community well for athletic and recreational purposes

     By 1957 Lowden had grown from its original 12 acres to 240 acres in size. Boasting more than 60 business firms, it also had a population in excess of 670. At the end of its century, Lowden saw fit to have a three day celebration complete with beards, dancing, lavish parade, 4-H show and antique display. A home talent pageant reenacted events of the first 100 years and over 20,000 people gathered to help celebrate one of the first centennials in this part of the county.

Page 5

Picture : Refreshments being served at opening ceremonies of Centennial at new Lowden High School

Picture: Schelly Hack passing in review in front of “Old Timers.”
R to L: Rev. H. Maas, Mrs. Mass, Ida Hoffmeier, Emilie Schroeder, Aug. Dresden, Carl Esbaum, unidentified man, Emer Mowry, Chas Turner.

Page 6

Picture: Train built by pageant committee and entered in parade.

Picture: Scene in Lowden Park Saturday, July 27, 1957