Page 1

LITTLE TOWN

I like to live in a little town

Where the trees meet across the streets

Where you wave your hand and say “Hello”

To everyone you meet.

I like to stand for a moment

Outside the grocery store

And listen to friendly gossip

Of the folks that live next door.

For life is interwoven

With the friends we learn to know;

And we hear their joys and sorrows

As we daily come and go.

So I like to live in a little town,

I care no more to roam,

For every house in a little town

Is more than a house: it’s home

* ~ * ~ *

Page 3
Map of Stanwood

Page 5

WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM

TSY WA451 DP GOVT NL PDB WUY WASHINGTON DC 14

HISTORICAL COMMITTEE
       STANWOOD IOWA

MY WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS GO OUT TO THE CITIZENS OF STANWOOD, IOWA AS YOU OBSERVE THE CENTENNIAL OF YOUR TOWN. I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH I SHARE THE PRIDE THAT FILLS YOUR HEARTS AS YOU REFLECT ON THE YEARS OF INTEGRITY, INDUSTRY AND HARD WORK THAT FILL THE PAGES OF STANWOOD’S EVENTFUL HISTORY. AND IN REFLECTING WITH YOU ON A SATISFYING PAST, I ALSO PLEDGE MY WHOLEHEARTED COOPERATION IN WORKING WITH YOU TOWARD A MORE PRODUCTIVE AND PROSPEROUS FUTURE.

               RICHARD NIXON

* ~ * ~ *

Office of the Governor

MY FELLOW IOWANS OF STANWOOD—PRESENT, PAST AND YET TO BE:

Iowa was in the headlines of world news during 1869, when Stanwood began. One reporter wrote: “The darkness advanced and the temperatures fell; the chirp of the crickets added to the weirdness of the scene and the call of the whippoorwill came from the distant woodland.”

He was describing a total eclipse of the sun—the first to be seen in Iowa since white settlement began, and—according to astronomers—the last to be visible here until 1999. That phenomenon brought scientists to Iowa from all parts of the world, as well as eight young ladies from Vassar College who accompanied their instructor.

Except for that brief disappearance of the sun, Iowa was far from being eclipsed in 1869. It was a year of vibrant expansion and spectacular growth, as railroads opened new markets to farmers and provided economic opportunity for new towns. One of those towns was Stanwood, appropriately named for an executive of the Northwestern railroad which quickened the life of the whole area. Five years later, on the other side of Cedar County, the only native Iowan thus far to become President was born in West Branch.

Those were good beginnings for what has proved to be a century of steady progress. As you begin your second hundred years, it is well to review the past and light a beacon for the future. In the words of an Iowa newspaper editorial 119 years ago, you “remember that those who once occupied these places are gone” but “the land they cultivated, the houses they built, the works of their hands are before us.”

In that spirit, I speak for all Iowa in bidding you to enjoy Stanwood’s centennial anniversary abundantly.

                       Sincerely,
                       Robert D. Ray

* ~ * ~ *

Page 11
Picture: Map made by Wells Spicer circa 1860, showing Flournoy in relation to Mechanicsville and Clarence. L. M. Flounoy of Kentucky purchased land hoping to have a town named for him. Also shows the proposed Anamosa, Southern Railroad. The name of Chicago, Iowa, Nebraska Railroad changed to Chicago Northwestern in 1861.

Page 13

100 YEARS IN GOD'S COUNTRY
1869-1969

       In the fall of 1968 several citizens of this community happened to be musing among themselves as to exactly when the town of Stanwood would be 100 years old. These people presented their thoughts at a meeting of the Lions club and also at a Stanwood Business Association meeting. Following these discussions Mayor Virgil Walter consented to check whatever records he could find regarding the official beginning of our town. He reported that a search of the records at the Cedar County Court House in Tipton revealed that the original plat of the town of Stanwood was made in 1869. This being determined, it was decided to test the sentiments of the people concerning the matter of a centennial celebration

       Mayor Walter called a meeting of one representative from each organization in the community. Of those present all favored the idea of a centennial celebration and agreed to promote the idea in their respective organizations. On the evening of October 17, 1968, the first public meeting was held. Twenty-two people were present and when asked by Mayor Walter if they wanted to celebrate our centennial year, they answered with a unanimous “Yes!” Officers were elected immediately and the work was begun.

       One thing is certain: The community spirit of the people who call Stanwood their home is not dead. Without this spirit the celebrating of our one hundredth anniversary would not have taken place, or, for that matter, would the town have existed for that length of time. As a committee, we hope that the opportunity to serve which this endeavor has provided will give new strength to the vital community spirit and thus make Stanwood an even better place in which to live—during the next one hundred years!

       The officers and centennial committee members take this means of saying a sincere “Thank You” to every person who has helped in any way to make the Stanwood Centennial Celebration a success.

CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS

Frederick Meyer, Chairman	Jack Robinson
Joan Koch, Secretary	Paul Gadke
James Tenley, Treasurer	Fred Luedeman
Wayne Brown	Ed Speer