Mills County, Iowa

Silver City Community History
1879 - 1979

OLD TOWN PUMP MAY HAVE TO GO

The end of an era may be in the offering for this Mills County town. If it occurs, a landmark may fade from the town’s business district. Early last week, the town’s major artery State Highway 242 — began its transition from a graveled road to concrete. Paving of the six-mile segment, the first such improvement for this 80 year old town of four hundred persons, may sound the death knell for the town pump.

The pump is squarely in the project’s path. Town officials, however, aren’t sure the pump will have to be removed. At least one resident already has come to the pump’s defense. Reno Moore, 80, the first white child born in this community, would like to see it spared for sentimental and historical reasons.

The pump has been in the same spot as long as Reno can remember. He said folks used to meet at the pump to talk over the important things of the day and it used to be a favorite spot for the kids.

Reno recalled that for a number of years the pump also played an important role in the town’s fire- protection plans. The pump got a workout back in 1882 when both sides of the business district went up in flames in about two hours. People fought the fire by filling buckets at the pump and then carrying them to the burning buildings.

The pump was in jeopardy once before. Five years ago, the town put in a municipal water system. This cut the pumps usefulness, but no move was made then to remove it. Reno thinks the pump is an asset, especially on hot days. Reference: Opinion Tribune

~submitted by Roseanna Zehner & Darlene Jacoby