{Walter Schluter hired a photographer to take this aerial photo of Rutland.}

There seems to be some uncertainty to the exact year the Rutland photo was taken,  Bud Schluter was under the impression the photo was taken in 1948, but some residents disagree, as they remember the water tower being built in the summer of 1949, and the tower is visible in the photo.

Bud wrote Town and Country Welcoming Committee Chairman, Mary Dahl, if any information needed changing, it was fine with him to change it before printing.  Here is Bud's information which appeared in the letter.

"World War II had ended a couple of years earlier and it appeared the small towns would be able to hold their own.  There were some new business ventures and the farmers were prospering.  Farm land could be purchased for $200.  Commercial fertilizer was new and it promised to revolutionize agriculture."

"It did, but it also contributed greatly to the pollution of rivers and streams.' 

"The Rutland Public School was still in operation."

"The power plant was still generating electric power and the dam held the Des Moines River back so the creek was full of water in the area of the town park."

"The park was still maintained and it was a pretty place where people had picnics.  There were fishermen who came to Rutland on weekends and they lined the river bank below the dam."

"The Town and Country Club, sponsored boat races above the dam and this was a major event held every summer.

Guy Lombardo, the band leader, once entered his speed boat in the Rutland races."

"It was hoped some of the young people of the community would return to Rutland to start businesses and raise families."

"The railroad was still functional and the depot still located in Rutland."

"Television had not entered their lives, so people received their news from the radio and reading newspapers and magazines."

"Most people subscribed to the Humboldt Republican and the Humboldt Independent to get the local news.  The Fort Dodge Messenger provided area news.  Rutland residents also read the Des Moines Register in the morning and the Des Moines Tribune in the evening."

"The men of Rutland would go downtown after supper and gather in front of the stores or to the Rutland Tavern to catch up on local daily happenings."

"They had emerged from the great depression and hopes were high for a peaceful and prosperous era."

"The aerial photo was taken primarily to show the three new metal grain tanks at the Rutland Elevator Company, Inc."

"The Rutland Elevator was owned by Fannie and Walter Schluter, (Bud's parents), and Marie and Oscar Holden.  They had recently purchased the old Ferris Elevator and office, which is shown in the lower right hand corner of the photo."

"Burton and Keith Cran owned and operated Cran Brothers stockyard, which was east of the elevator, and not included in the photo."

"The Chicago and North Western Railroad agent was Bill Clayton, who also operated a variety store in Humboldt."

"Walter Jones owned the Rutland Lumber Company and Roy Bristol managed the business."

"In 1948, Roy "Barb" Caryl was still giving 25 cent haircuts in the barber shop.  The barber shop is the first commercial building in the left center of the photo."

"Next to the barber shop is a building which Irvin Opheim used to store seed corn.  The Odd Fellows Lodge Hall was located on the second floor."

"Roy and Lou Schultz operated a restaurant in the next building.  They lived in the building."

"In the next building, Warren Ball had a small hardware store and woodworking shop."

"The old bank building on the corner was occupied as the town hall.  Across the street is a grocery store, which was owned by Mr. Peterson."

"Jim and Marv Brownfield operated an auto repair garage and service station in the next building."

"Just to the east of the garage is the locker plant, which apparently was just being completed.  It was owned by Ed Paulson."

"The post office is sandwiched between the locker plant and Gerald Heim's tavern.  Selma Paulson was the post mistress and Roy Entler was the rural mail carrier."

"The large brick building in the right center of the picture is the old Danish Hall, later known as the Opera House.  In 1948, it was occupied as a machinery repair shop by Roger Haines."

"The Sheridan Brothers farm house and buildings are visible in the right center and upper right hand corner of the photo.  The home occupied by John and Dave Sheridan, was probably the oldest building in Rutland in 1948."

"The jail is barely visible in the center of the photo."

"The water tower is visible in the upper left hand corner.  Rutland had just completed a municipal water system."

"Jack McDonald was the mayor in 1948."

"This was Rutland in 1948. . . long live Rutland."