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BEYOND A CENTURY (1957-1982)
1957 Following a most successful Centennial celebration in July, our little community settled into a happy state of euphoria for the rest of the year. Highway 30, with its attendant traffic and bustle, was relocated parallel to the town at its south edge with the result that some of the business activity shifted to that area. Loren Coppess built a mobil gas station and adjacent restaurant. W. R. Mensing opened a Standard station and eating place, all along the new highway. The Greyhound Bus Stop was also shifted to the Coppess filling station.
A new church was voted by members of Trinity congregation to the built on the site of the old one.
Color TV came to a few Lowden homes and the birth of new car, the Edsel, was announced by Ford Motor Co.
A new front was put on the Amvets Hall, owned by Ed and Reuben Conrad. The top was also removed, making it a one story building.
1958 One of Lowden’s longtime business men, Charles Barnes, retired from blacksmithing after 37 years, due to physical disability. After learning the smithy trade from the late H. D. Kemmann, he had established his own business in 1921.
Coach Dean Rose took his boys’ basketball team to the state tournament, the first team in the history of the school to get such an honor. Members of the team included Willis Hoffmeier, Dennis Knoche, Ron Kleppe, Ken Kroemer, Kenneth Mostaert, Gary Ruchotzke, Terry Bunge, Russell Kross, Kent Goldsmith, Harley Fisher, Bruce Hoffmeier and Terry Schneider. The 155 mile trip to Des Moines was an unforgettable one that took 37 hours. It included a blinding snowstorm, a three car crash and an overnight stay at a farmhouse, with all the basketball players sleeping on the floor except one who was injured in the crash, and who got the coveted place on the sofa. When traveling could resume, the injured ball player was taken to a hospital. How did the team fare in the tournament? They came home Iowa’s second best in their division, to return to a town that was proud of them.
1959 Town Council notes stated that the Mayor and Council members each received $2.00 per meeting. They received $3.00 for Board of Health meetings, which were held twice a year, with Dr. Montz as chairman. Among other routine duties, Dr. Montz’s work included periodic inspection of Lowe’s Rest Home in north Lowden, which advertised, “Board and Room for Aged Men and Women at Reasonable Rates.”
Charles Schmidt was hired as night watch at $100 per month.
This was another snowy winter. Art Kruckenberg hauled 40 truckloads of snow for the town for $40.
Fox Produce was razed and the location purchased by the local bank. Remodeling was done at Licht’s Department Store and at Ruprecht’s uptown store.
Albert Mensing continued to represent eastern Iowa in the House of Representatives, becoming Assistant Majority Leader.
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Picture: New Trinity Lutheran Church Nov. 1, 1959
Trinity Lutherans were proud to present their new church and educational building, dedicated November 1, 1959.
1960 Reorganization of schools was verbally tossed around. Mr. Lester Gill, County Superintendent, stated at a Commercial Club meeting that if a merger with Clarence or Wheatland could be effected, our new high school building would have adequate room for the combined schools with very little alteration. Several meetings in north Cedar County were held to discuss this topic.
Lowden was notified that it was to receive a new Post Office building.
The Golden Chain Café had its formal opening. Albert “Barney” and Evelyn Esbaum announced the following menu: Dinner $1.00-Roast Beef or Baked Ham, Potatoes and Gravy, Vegetable, Salad, Bread and Butter, Beverage.
1961 A new business, Lowden Fertilizer Co. opened on First Street in south Lowden. Owned by Ruprechts, it lies just east of their lumber yard.
Many townspeople, students and friends turned out for “Mr. Breneman Day” September 24th. Serving Lowden as School Superintendent for twenty years, he was honored as an “educator, family man and basketball coach.”
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Picture: Post Office Building dedicated Nov. 18, 1961
Dedication ceremonies of the new Lowden Post Office were held November 18th. The new building was part of a program of accelerated postal construction and modernization ordered by President Kennedy to stimulate the nation’s economy. Dignitaries in attendance were U.S. Representative Fred Schwengel, and Field Service Officer V. P. Vanderline of the St. Louis region.
Local resident were interested in a family of whitetailed squirrels nesting in a tree on the C. E. Kroemer lawn. Frank Mostaert, who noticed the squirrels romping around in the vicinity of his filling station, reported that by the end of the year they were no longer around. It was theorized that the absence of color in the squirrel family made them appear abnormal, and the animals found it difficult to survive because they could not conceal themselves from man and predators.
The Hasch property was purchased by the town for $1,400 (this later became the site for a new fire station).
1962 Midget auto racing attracted quite a following from this vicinity, especially since Midget Auto #55 owned by Mensing Motor Co. had been earning its share of the stakes. Its popular driver, Dick Ritchie, made a clean sweep of the races at Fargo, North Dakota.
This too, was the era of hoola hoops and Go-Karts. Harry Hertzler had two Go-Karts for sale at his auction on September 15th. One had a 12 h.p. engine and the other had a double deck trailer to go with it. Many people owned their own Go-Karts and made use of the raceway constructed between Lowden and Clarence, where the Wilson Yards are now located.
The Town Council hired Albert Esbaum as night watch at $250 a month.
Mrs. Lee (Lorraine) Milota picked blooming irises in her garden on December 5th. Because of the mild weather, dandelions appeared in people’s lawns and trees were budding.
1963 An appeal by our national government to make the citizenry aware of dangers from nuclear attacks prompted communities to hold civil defense meetings. Betty Nuccio of Tipton, County Civil Defense Director, spoke at several meetings here. Bomb shelters, food stockpiles and precautionary measures in event of an attack were topics presented. Vince Yager, Lowden teacher, was local chairman and built his own bomb shelter, the first in Lowden.
The four new benches in City Park were provided by the NGO Women’s Club.
Lowden was assigned the zip code number 52255, effective July 1st. The postal department declared “the possibility of missent mail will be cut to a minimum and …
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Picture: 59 car-train wreck west of Lowden
… time between deposit and delivery will be sliced in many cases as much as 24 hours.”
Raymond Gottschalk was appointed as marshall, street commissioner and water and sewer superintendent at a salary of $325 per month.
A severe July wind storm damaged one of Vern Boyer’s buildings.
1964 Petitions were circulated to replace the old Wapsi blank bridge at Massillon, a “horse and buggy bridge” built in the 1800’s.
The United Telephone Co. erected a new building near the alley at the rear of McKinley Avenue, behind the residence of Alfred Von Roden. The building, 24 ft. by 24 ft., houses a central dial office and equipment for direct distance dialing.
In May a spectacular $300,000 train wreck occurred 2 ½ miles west of Lowden. A 2200 pound lead ingot broke through the floor of a box car and set off the derailment of 59 cars of a 160 car train enroute to Chicago. Mrs. Margery Norton, driving along Highway 30, saw a cloud of dust and the devastation spread before her. The cargo spilled out asphalt, corn, lumber, frozen pies, magazines, lard and molasses in one great mess. Because of heavy rains, cleanup was slow and laborious
Farmers from the drought-stricken area near Lewiston, Minnesota were grateful for hay sold them to Leonard, Herbert and Everett Kroemer. Three big semi loads, each filled with 480 bales, were dispatched to relieve suffering livestock.
Lowden went on daylight savings time from April 26th to August 23rd.
1965 A new business opened in Lowden. The Rainbow Laundromat, operated by Mrs. Lee (Lorraine) Milota and located in the former D-X Station building. Coin dry cleaning was added a few years later.
Palm Sunday, April 11th, was a day long to be remembered by residents of this area. A tornado, following the classic southwest-northeast path, hit between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m. There were no personal injuries in this area, which was most fortunate, as the tornado gave little warning. Those sustaining heaviest damage were the Hugo Kruckenberg, Arnold Wenndt, and Albert Nieting farms northwest of Lowden. The Wm. Pasold, Larry Stolte, Harry Hamdorf and Richard Kintzel farms also suffered heavy damage and losses of livestock. Strong winds destroyed farm buildings on the Fred Kahl, Myron Conrad, Lester Rowold and Harlan Pruess farms as well. This section was declared a disaster area and received assistance from the Red Cross. In …
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Picture: Palm Sunday tornado-Arnold Wenndt farm
Picture: Palm Sunday tornado damage at Hugo Kruckenberg farm
… August a hail storm followed almost the same path and some of the same farms were the center of hail damage.
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Picture: Sheriff and Harlan Pruess, Jr. and Edw. Berry with bear
Another hair raising episode in the summer of 1965 was the fact that a bear was afoot in the rural area southwest of Lowden. The 240 pound black bear was sighted by Harlan Pruess, Jr. and Edward Berry on the Herb Sander farm. When the huge furry animal climbed a cottonwood tree and settled in a crotch 30 feet above the ground, a call was hurriedly dispatched to the County Sheriff’s office and to the County Conservation Officer. When the officers arrived, the bear looked at them sleepily and yawned, apparently feeling comfortable and secure in his perch about them. With no tranquilizer guns or other equipment to capture the bear alive, it was decided to kill the bear. If it were chased by dogs or merely wounded, it could become a dangerous beast, the officers theorized. Sergeant Foster and Sheriff Barden killed the animal with shots from a 30 caliber Remington and took it to a Tipton locker plant where it was dressed out and given to the County Home. For years, the Berry family kept two of the huge paws wrapped and frozen so that they could delight the school children with them. The question still remains – where did the bear come from?
The community was saddened by the sudden death of Mr. E. W. Breneman on his birthday, November 15th. This was his 24th year as School Superintendent in Lowden and he had taken girls’ basketball teams to state tournament play four times, in 1944, 1945, 1962 and 1955.
1966 An Area Vocational Plan was recommended by the State Department of Public Instruction, our area to be designated as Area Ten. It comprised seven counties to be governed by a board with a director from each of the counties, all of whom would have access to the facilities and services of a vocational college (Kirkwood) and education agency, (Grant Wood).
People who looked out of their windows on May 11th were astounded to see the ground covered with snow. Temperatures dropped to the 20’s.
A 24 ft. by 50 ft. shelter was built in the northwest part of Memorial Park and …
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Picture: Train wreck east of Lowden June, 1966
… playground equipment installed adjacent to it.
Funds received from graduates in the years 1942-1965 in memory of Mr. Breneman, who passed away in 1965, were used to purchase a catalog unit and checkout desk for the High School Library. A large portrait of Mr. Breneman was a memorial from the class of 1966 and a plaque for the school lobby was a gift of the school board.
A rear end collision of two freight trains in the area of the Erwin Meier property in the east part of town on the evening of June 20th caused many residents to think a jet had fallen. A train was just preparing to back onto the south track of the North-western Railroad so that a freight pulling refrigerator cars could pass. The front of one train hit the caboose of the backing one, causing 25 cars and 3 Diesels to pile up in one huge mass. Hanging beef halves in some of the cars soon spoiled in the warm air, causing an offensive stench before burying could take place. One of the engineers was seriously injured, having both legs smashed. Failure of the automatic block safety system device on the second train caused the accident.
A new tornado warning test was tried, consisting of continued short blasts of the siren for 3-5 minutes, to be repeated if necessary.
Raymond Kroemer, area, farmer, suffered an arm amputation as a result of a …
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Picture: Dr. and Mrs. Montz at Doctor’s Day observance
Picture: Huge tooth on Dr. Stofflet float on Doctor’s Day
… mishap with a self unloading wagon.
Kenneth Keith, shortly after taking off from the Lowden Airport, lost part of his propeller and was forced to land in a field near the blacktop south of town. Harold Gilmour, veteran pilot, helped him land.
On September 10th, Lowden’s two doctors, Fred Montz, M.D. and C. E. Stofflet, D.D.S., who gave a combined total of nearly 90 years in serving the community’s medical and dental needs, were honored at a Doctor’s Day observance. More than 1500 people came for the day’s activities which included a parade, program in Memorial Park, band selections and a dinner and recognition service. U.S. Senator Jack Miller and professional acquaintances of the honorees also were present and spoke briefly. In the evening a program was presented in the High School gymnasium which reviewed events in the lives of the two doctors.
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Picture: Lowden’s new fire station
1967 The new fire station on the former Hasch property was completed at a cost of $10,794 for the building and $1,968 for plumbing, heating and wiring. Land was purchased by the city from Walter Licht for future extension of Grant Avenue.
Leroy Hansen, buttermaker, retired after 34 years. Wm. Witte, with the local bank since 1927, also announced retirement. Named as the new president and director of American Trust and Savings Bank was Wm. Stout of LeClaire.
Sports fans paid $6.75 round trip bus fare to Des Moines, where Tom Corrick’s girls’ basketball team played in the State Tournament. Charter members of the newly organized National Honor Society were Verlyn BIere, Michael Buttleman, David Greisbach and Louis Licht.
Zion Church voted to have a new parsonage, to be built north of the church, in place of the old dwelling.
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Marion Stover found a 100 year old newspaper in 1965. It listed corn for sale at 25? per bushel; oats 20? per bushel; chickens, per doz., $1.00 to $1.50.
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Picture: Trailer to replace depot
Picture: New Zion parsonage dedicated May 22, 1968
1968 Lowden was designated as a Central Railway Agency, with Clarence, Tipton, Stanwood, DeWitt, Grand Mound, Calamus, Wheatland, Mt. Vernon, Lisbon and Mechanicsville as associate stations. All depot buildings were retired and removed from these towns.
The City Park took on a sprucy look as a lamp post, shrubbery and lawn reseeding were included as part of a beautification plan initiated by the Commercial Club.
Amanda Kruckenberg was honored at a reception in the Middle School after completing 45 years of teaching, 38 of them in Lowden Public School.
The attractive a new Zion parsonage was dedicated on May 22.
A Lowden Development Corporation was formed “to promote housing,
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… recreation facilities and improve the town as a whole.” Options to buy stock were open to all, with the initial goal set at $20,000.
Roger Freese, recent S.U.I. law graduate, joined the law practice here. The partnership has now assumed the name of Norton, McClintock and Freese.
1969 Irwin Steinke, Erwin Strackbein and Wm. Stout were members of a new Zoning Commission set up by the Town Council.
Work has begun on the first project of the Lowden Development Corporation, remodeling the existing house on the former Alice Meyer property into a clubhouse. A contract was let for a 30 x 60 ft. pool and adjacent wading pool to be placed west of the clubhouse.
A July visitor at the Allen Koch farm home on Highway 30 was J. J. Kramer and his horse “Doc”, enroute from New York to Juneau, Alaska. The trip was to take five months. Another trip, only much longer, was man’s first trip to the moon, also in July. An almost unbelievable feat to watch on television.
United Telephone, serving more than 450 local customers, asked for a rate increase. The company invested some $72,000 in local projects since 1964, including new central switching equipment, new telephone building, plus urban and rural cable additions.
Area schools began informal talks on reorganization.
A notification received by the Albert Esbaums stated that their son Beryl, stationed in Viet Nam, had recently been in a very precarious position, literally “at the end of his rope.” Instead of parachuting, servicemen in the rugged terrain of Viet Nam were trained to lower themselves to the ground by rappelling 60-120 feet the helicopters. Beryl, unable to unwind the rope from his harness, was left dangling and had a hair raising trip over the mountains until the ‘copter could land and disentangle him.
1970 Several businesses opened in 1970: Classique Beauty Salon, Lowden Feed Service with Jensen and Sander as proprietors; and Norman Boedekers as new owners of Freunds Store.
Arnold Koch retired, having been with American Trust & Savings Bank 48 years.
All rural property owners were urged to purchase a $50 share in the new fire truck and also to pay the annual $5 assessment to assure fire protection. The fire truck was on display at the new fire station’s Open House in April.
Two teenage escapees from the Tama County Jail were apprehended in the local bank, where they were attempting to wire relatives for money. The two boys were recaptured when their car was spotted outside the bank by Mayor Mowry and Marshall Gottschalk.
1971 Declining enrollment and increased operational costs were becoming a problem to many schools. Dialogs concerning school reorganization continued in earnest. A Clarence-Lowden merger was deemed the most likely combination.
Voting machines were used for the first time in November. Local resident, after a briefing on operational procedures, were relieved to find the voting process quite simple. Council members still served as election judges, a practice later terminated.
The mayor held court for a record number of 38 state cases, resulting in $544 in fines to be forwarded to the County Treasury, and 37 cases for $535 into the City Treasury.
Trinity Church held a series of services commemorating its centennial. A scale model of the old church building was unveiled.
1972 The first woman ever to service the Lowden City Council – Doris Kruckenberg – was sworn in by Mayor Mowry in January.
A $30,000 addition to the telephone switching center, located just off Main Street, enabled Lowden patrons to received direct station to station long distance dialing in the summer.
Dr. and Mrs. Montz were honored on their 50th wedding anniversary and the observation of his 50 years of medical practice here.
The Lowden Development Corporation announced an increase in the value of its …
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… shares from $100 to more than $184. All short term indebtedness had been eliminated and 1973 could begin with a clean slate.
1973 Lowden held its first Senior Citizens’ Day in April, with a potluck dinner and short program following.
A 10 inch snowstorm with high winds and low temperatures paralyzed all activity the second week in April. Some farmers reported losses of livestock, particularly sheep and lambs, pinned against fences by the high wind and then trapped by the heavy snow.
An 11 P.M. curfew was imposed for individuals under 18 years of age.
Mayors’ courts went out of existence in 1973 and cases subsequently were heard by a Magistrate’s Court.
The Lowden Historical Society was organized, with 41 people signing the Articles of Incorporation.
Zion Church observed in 110th anniversary in October. A pageant was presented, along with a display of wedding, baptismal and confirmation items.
People were alerted by the government about the possibility of a severe fuel shortage. To comply with conservation measures, most businesses adopted a plan of curtailed energy consumption such as adjusting thermostats, adding insulation, converting to wood fuel, etc. A 55 mph speed limit was also adopted both to conserve energy and to reduce the number of automobile accidents.
A people’s vote for a school merger with Clarence was carried. Board members of the newly formed Clarence-Lowden district were Randall Sander, Lawrence Licht, Merlin Wenndt, Larry Stolte, and Marcia Kleppe, with Lloyd Hasselbusch as treasurer.
The old Wiebel home north of Lowden was torn down. Built by Henry Wiebel, who came to Lowden in 1865, it was an old landmark and the home of Fred H. Wiebel, now 90, living in Lowden.
1974 This marked the first year of the Clarence-Lowden school merger. Attendance centers were divided, with varsity basketball games held in the more spacious gym at the Middle School in Lowden.
In March, postage for a first class letter went to 10?. (Just thirty years ago it went to 3?)
Residents who were puzzled at all the coffee cans hanging on tree trunks around town in the spring learned that these were receptacles for collecting sap and that Rev. Earl Elowsky and his boys later emptied the sap into 5 gallon cream pails, taking them to the parsonage basement where Mrs. Elowsky cooked each batch all day long in large flat pans on a fuel oil stove. Good eating, they said!
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1976 was the driest year on record, according to meteorologist Steve Gottschalk. Only 22.91 inches of precipitation. 269 days with no rainfall.
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Picture: Flood waters of May, 1974 surrounding Melvin Licht farm
Picture: Freight cars blown off track during 90 mph wind
A devastating May flash flood caused the Yankee Run to overflow and cover vast areas south and west of town. One of the worst floods in the history of this community, it washed out the bridge approach on the south blacktop and caused much erosion of good topsoil. The Melvin Licht farm was almost isolated by the flood.
In June 90 mph winds damaged the Elmer Schmidt home and other farms west of town. The Middle School gym was shorn of its roof, the fence at Memorial Park was stripped of its boards and 15 cars of a passing freight train were blown off the tracks. Two days later a second windstorm followed the 45 mph winds.
Earl Kross retired as depot agent after 37 years with the North Western Railroad, working at Lowden since 1946.
George Miller was named resident deputy sheriff.
Staggered four year terms for city officials became effective, hopefully to bring about an easier transition of duties and responsibilities.
1975 Another old landmark, the “News” office, was torn down in February to make additional room for the bank. The home of the “Lowden News” for 45 years, it was sold to the Stanley Drewelows in 1971 for use as an insurance office. They in turn …
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Picture: Bi-Centennial float built be Lowden committee
… sold it to the bank in 1974. Blueprints for the bank enlargement included a drive-up window and canopy, with added room in the lobby.
The Eldridge Jaycees met with a local group to establish a Lowden chapter. A dinner highlighted their charter night meeting in March.
A local Bicentennial committee was formed at a meeting of representatives from all organizations early this year. Chosen for the committee were Norman Kroemer, Robert Huffman, Mrs. Walter Hack and Mrs. Marven Deke. Besides supporting the county goals (renovating Floral Hall at County Fairgrounds, cataloging and indexing all county cemeteries and preservation of Rochester Cemetery) local projects were also adopted. These included community beautification and restoration of the Lowden Depot. The Lowden committee built a float to represent the county at various bicentennial events. The motif included a mounted replica of the Liberty Bell and scrolls of the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights. Representing hundreds of hours of work over a 2 ½ month period, the float received much acclaim wherever it was taken. The group interested in restoring the old Northwestern Railroad Depot approached the City Council and when a favorable response was received, applied for a grant from the state Bicentennial Commission in Des Moines.
Kemmann’s Chevrolet celebrated the 100th year of business in the same location toward the close of the year.
Extent of flood area, size of city lots, frontage and widths were some of the standards set up in the new building code in action by the City Council. Permits will henceforth be required for razing, building or spending a minimum of $250 on exteriors of buildings. Emil Andresen was appointed Building inspector.
1976 SEATS (State Elderly Area Transportation System) began in January. This is a county wide system, with a mini-bus providing rides primarily for elderly (and others on a space available basis) for a minimal fee.
Ladies from each of the two churches made bicentennial quilts with patriotic motifs. Governor Ray’s wife bought a quilt made by Mrs. Walter Helmold and fellow Zion quilters. The purchase was made through a Des Moines quilt shop.
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June brought the arrival of the Pony express. Members were treated to lunch by the local Mustache Bush Club. The Antique Auto Caravan, following the Lincoln Highway route, also made a stop. The Caravan itinerary originated in Clinton, Iowa, and ended at Cheyanne, Wyoming, and several area participants accompanied the caravan at least part of the way.
The Cedar County Bicentennial float, made by the Lowden committee, made numerous appearances at celebrations and took part in the State Fair parade two years. It won a trophy for best over-all in Ottumwa.
A number of farms in this area were designated as Century Farms. To quality, the farm must have been owned by the same family 100 years or more by July, 1976, must contain at least 80 acres of the original farm, and present owner must be kin to original owner. Owners of Century Farms were Minnie Deke (1869; Ralph King (1850); Erhard Kroemer (1872); Leonard Kroemer (1874); Merlon Kruckenberg (1868); Richard Kruckenberg (1872); Henry Niermeyer (1876); Esther Reinking (1866); Herbert Sander (1871); Robert E. Stuhr (1870); and Edwin Wenndt (1871. (Added after were Edwin Kroemer (1878) and LeRoy Boettger (1879).
A big Bicentennial event was Park Benefit Day, August 6th and 7th. There were 85 official and 15 unofficial entries in the parade.
Dorance Scheer, farmer living south of Lowden, harvested 5 acres of oats with an old style binder. Bundles were shocked and 10 days later a good crowd turned out to witness an old time threshing scene.
Raymond Gottschalk resigned after employment as City Marshall and Water, Sewer and Street Superintendent for 20 years.
Clarence purchased a new ambulance and extended service to us. We previously had been served through Tipton.
1977 The Clarence Ambulance Service requested one or more Emergency Medical Technicians trained to speed service to patients and thus eliminate need for extra crew members. The Lowden City Council agreed to pay for training such persons from the Lowden area.
The Commercial Club and volunteers added a white picket fence to the vacant lot east of the Sun News office.
Local residents contributed items such as letters, photos, catalogs, etc. to place in a time capsule. This was buried in Rochester Cemetery and is to be opened in 2076, the Tri-centennial year.
The Rural Fire Association was dissolved in June and remaining funds were dispersed for future purchases of equipment. According to law a tax levied on farm property would assist financially in operation of equipment.
$1,099 was collected for an Honor Roll sign to be placed at the entrance to Memorial Park.
The City Council purchased a new warning siren to replace the old one, which was outdated and not working properly. Cost was $2,740, it weighed 750 lbs. and was installed by a local electrician.
1978 Rumble strips were placed south of the Highway 30 intersection, on Y-16, and stop signs were installed in the center of the Y-16 intersection with Highway 30, after numerous accidents had occurred at these sites.
Two Lowden men, John Wiese and Richard Stoecker, responded to Clarence’s appeal for EMT’s. Such volunteers serve without compensation and are on 24 hour call.
A Family Medical Clinic for Lowden became a reality. The official opening was held in July, with a goodly number of people anxious to see the spacious, well equipped facility.
The man in the whirlybird winging over us so frequently this year was Jeff Licht, who built and operated his own autogiro, taking off from a 200 ft. airstrip on his farm west of town. Dubbed the “Honey Bee”, the craft was capable of traveling at a speed up to 80 mph.
The Sun-News building, owned by Wm. Stout, got a new look with redwood siding and new doors and windows.
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Picture: Old Andresen home on McKinley Avenue being razed.
Picture: County Supervisor Norman Kroemer
The old Andresen home on McKinley Avenue, once a showplace of Victorian grandeur with its shuttered windows, carved woodwork, and 12 ft. ceilings, was razed. Built in 1873 by Herman Petersen and later owned by the J. H. Andresens, it had been unoccupied since 1960.
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Picture: Sean Barkley holding mastodon tooth
Norman Kroemer, retired farmer residing in north Lowden, was elected to a four year term on the Cedar County Board of Supervisors.
Several tragedies occurred in 1978. A car-freight collision at the Harding Avenue crossing fatally injured Mrs. Emma Wiese of Lowden and Mrs. Amil Laschansky of Clarence; a Muscatine teacher, Barbara Schoemaker, was killed in a 2 car crash at the Highway 30 and Y-16 intersection; and Neva Danson, farm wife living south of Lowden, was killed by a rifle shot discharged accidently.
1979 The new Lowden Historical Center, located in the restored depot, was dedicated in November with 230 guests registering. Speakers were Peter Harstad of the Iowa Historical Society and Andy McKean, State Representative. During the dedication of 35 minutes, 5 trains went through, providing most appropriate sound effects for the historical event.
Two more Lowden citizens, Joey Wenndt and Vicki Crock, took the Emergency Medical Technician training and began answering calls with the Clarence ambulance.
A young lad in the fifth grade of our school system, Sean Barkley of Massillon, found a huge tooth near the Waspsi River. Scientists at the University of Iowa confirmed the finding as a third molar of a mastodon, an elephant like creature roaming our area 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. The tooth weighed between 3 and 4 lbs. Sean wondered where he could look for the rest of the animal.
A 16 inch snow in January brought all activity to a halt and reminded us that heavy snows were not a thing of the past. Total for the month was 37.8 inches.
1980 Strackbein’s Inc. opened their large new facility west of town on old Highway 30. Visitors were served a lunch prepared by County Beef and County Pork Producers. Later this year the company welcomed a delegation of dealers from Germany who toured the facility.
The city had continued problems with the quality of its drinking water. Chlorine …
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Picture: January snow of 1979
Picture: Victor Mensing home, showing solar panels
… treatment had been a necessity, although the water also had a high saline content. Varner Well Co. was hired to study the situation.
Two barns south of town were destroyed by fire this year. One was on the Al Behrens’ farm and the other on the former Albert Esbaum place.
Innovations in the area included a sprucing up at the Wendling Quarry entrance, enabling them to receive a citation for outstanding “Image Improvement,” a ramp was constructed at the rear entrance of the Family Medical Clinic to accommodate the handicapped; and Victor Mensing, local plumber, installed solar panels in his home for conservation purposes. Ten panels were set at a 45 degree angle on the south side of the roof, three for hot water and seven for hearing the house. A water-antifreeze mixture circulated heated water from roof to basement. Insulated barrels hold a 1500 gallon reserve of hot water.
Lowden had its first sidewalk sale, deemed a success by the Commercial Club.
Our town received statewide recognition in August when a local 4-H’er, Darren Dies, showed the Over All Grand Champion at the Market Beef Show at State Fair. The beef sold for $8.25 a pound, bringing $10, 279.50. This was the second Grand …
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Picture: Darren Dies with Grand Champion Beef
… Champion ever to be shown from Cedar County.
Several hundred shade trees were sold and distributed to area residents by the Jaycees as a civic improvement project.
Mike Stone, Lowden “ham operator”, received relayed live pictures of Saturn by slow scan television in November. Details of Saturn’s rings that had never been seen before were revealed as Voyager 1 neared its closest encounter with the planet. Twenty-two people dropped in to share the viewing.
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Picture: Pioneer “Grandma” Kohlhoff
Mrs. Lena Kohlhoff, one of Lowden’s sprightly pioneers, passed away in 1980. Her family emigrated from Germany in 1888, when she was five years old. The family moved to Nebraska the next year (by train) and lived in three different sod houses. These had two big rooms, one bedroom with four big beds and a kitchen/dining room. Sheets made room dividers. The roof was made of huge cedars cut from the canyons and sod was placed on that. Their sod house was used for church. The preacher came on Saturday and left on Monday. She started working for Buffalo Bill Cody at North Platte, Nebraska, when she was 15 years old. He killed 4,280 buffalo in 18 months for builders of the Union Pacific Railroad. After 10 years in Nebraska, Lena’s family came back to Iowa in three covered wagons and a spring wagon, bringing 8 horses, a dog named Tope and 3 dozen chickens that laid eggs which they ate along the way. She married and the family farmed southwest of Lowden until her husband passed away and then Mrs. Kohlhoff moved to town where she lived for the remainder of her life.
1981 Ken Burmeister, who farms northwest of Lowden, won “Master Corn Producer” and “No Till” honors, with a yield of 182.86 bu. per acres.
Another farm family received recognition when Teree Thomson, daughter of the Gary Thomsons, living north of Lowden, took first place with her FFA market lambs at the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, Missouri.
Lowden residens were surprised to see an Amtrak train come through in July. The train was routed through Lowden when heavy rains caused a washout of the Burlington Northern roadbed.
Dr. Sam Sandberg assumed duties at the Lowden Family Clinic in July. Victor …
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Picture: Cave home of Mr. & Mrs. David Metzger
… Hoagland, who had served as physician’s assistant since 1978, moved to Euclid, Ohio.
Gene Hamdorf was hired as City Street and Maintenance man, replacing Howard Fisher at the latter’ retirement.
The “railroad” well to be used by the City, was tested by Sweet Water Co. of Iowa City and the water found to be free of nitrates and bacteria, requiring no chlorination. Since it is high in iron and hardness, however, a filter will be needed. A pump house was also constructed.
Concerned citizens met with the City Council and County Sheriff Whitlatch to discuss the rising incidence of rural crime. Briefings were given on neighborhood alerts, use of alarms, types of locks and means of marking property for identification.
The City Council reviewed all existing city laws and ordinances at several meetings which were open to the public. The new municipal code was adopted in December.
The first cave home in the Lowden vicinity was completed. Mr. and Mrs. David Metzger, formerly of Davenport, completed their earth home south of Lowden with the help of family and friends and now enjoy 2,000 sq. ft. of living space and 1,000 sq. ft. of garage and storage area, all tucked safely underground. Conventional living in an ancient concept!
The year closed on a tragic note when four area men were killed in an auto accident north of Toronto in Clinton County on December 17. From rural Lowden were John Freeman (30), Scott Stolte (22) and Terry Boedeker (20). Robin Kelly (22) lived north of Clarence. The young men were returning from an evening of bowling in Maquoketa.
1982 Snow, bitter cold and high winds brought wind chill factors to 70 and 80 …
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Picture: Mustaches and beards abound – Delbert Kruckenberg, Ray Wiese, Don Breneman, Bob Huffman and Kent Strackbein
… degrees below, making January a month to remember.
The public was invited to meet Richard Drey, now Clarence-Lowden superintendent, at a reception in the Middle School cafeteria. Previously with the Bellevue school, he assumed his position here January 1.
Norman Kroemer was named chairman of the County Board of Supervisors.
Lowden participated in the nationwide distribution of surplus cheese to needy families.
Meetings continued to be held under the chairmanship of Wm. Norton to plan Lowden’s Quasquicentennial, to be held July 22-25 of this year. Mustaches and beards were already flourishing and the marigold was named the official celebration flower. Committees reported progress at monthly meetings held in the Council Room.
To the history of Lowden, so ably written at the time of her Centennial, we have added this story of the past twenty-five years, years which have seen our city expand to 571 acres and increase to 717 residents. We have searched numerous records and our memories to compile this account of people and events. We hope that what we have chosen to write about is something of a reflection of life in our community as it is lived day by day in our places of business and on our farms, in our churches and our schools, at the meetings of our organizations and service clubs. We trust that the values and purposes of our community life are glimmering through our story.
It has been pleasant to think of the past, and we feel a kind of sadness that our search cannot continue. But there is a time to bring this nostalgic pursuit to a close. We dedicate our efforts to each one of you, and have a keen anticipation that when others are called upon to write for the Sesquicentennial as we have for the Quasquicentennial, they will be able to record an even more interesting twenty-five years. ~ The Booklet Committee
| My Town |
| My town is quiet, peaceful clean, |
| Not too big but it is so free, |
| Being happy is all it takes— |
| Happy little town, that’s my place, |
| Lowden will always be my home! |
| Janet Somerville, 5th Grade |
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| |
| Our Town |
| Our town is a friendly one, |
| Where people know each other, |
| We recognize people on the street, |
| And treat them as a brother. |
| |
| I want to raise my kids here, |
| In this town so beautiful |
| Where things are fun and carefree |
| And the moment rarely dull. |
| |
| Our town may be a small one, |
| But I think it’s the best. |
| Though some might not think so, |
| I believe it’s better than the rest. |
| Mindy Kruckenberg, 7th Grade |
| |
| |
| Our Town |
| Born 125 years in the past |
| Together we celebrate at last. |
| People coming from all around |
| To celebrate the birthday of our town. |
| |
| Here today, gone tomorrow, |
| Look around you, see no sorrow. |
| For we remember loved ones who are gone, |
| But our memories we still carry on. |
| How they brought about this community |
| Out of courage, foresight and ingenuity. |
| We look to the present generation now— |
| The future builders of this proud and respectful town. |
| Shelia Hein, 8th Grade |
