The early history of Riceville centers around an old Indian trail which crossed the Wapsipinicon River coming from the east and leading toward the west, and an old spring, now utilized for water works. These springs created, and assured the Indians of the area of, a supply of fresh water for their camping site. Numerous Indian artifacts have been found at and around the springs and throughout the site of the entire town. It has been reported that, in 1852, there were hundreds of Winnebago Indians encamped along the river.
In 1855 Dennis Rice was searching for a mill site along this very river, when he discovered the springs. A stranger was at the springs and had already staked out a claim including the spot Dennis Rice had chosen for a mill. The outcome was that Rice bought his rights to the quarter section for five dollars; and that was the beginning of Riceville.
Dennis Rice brought his brother and his widowed mother to share the claim with him. They built some buildings and made some improvements. A saw mill was built below the present site of the old mill. Lumber for the mill was brought from Jamestown, located some miles
to the east. The Rice family also built a hotel at the north east corner of the intersection of Main Street with the county line. They platted the town in 1855, which is the plat presently in use. The county line divides the town; part of which is in Mitchell County and part in Howard County.
In this connection it is interesting to note that Mrs. Rice also received a tract of land from the government in payment for services rendered by her husband in the War of 1812. Here the Rice family built a flour mill and a saw mill, using water for power.
It can be said that Riceville was the eastern gateway to Mitchell County. Settlers coming from Wisconsin and Eastern states crossed the river at McGregor or Dubuque. They then proceeded west by way of Decorah, Cresco and Riceville and on into Mitchell County. Because of this, the Rice Hotel was needed badly. Mrs. Rice, who had from the first, housed travelers in her home, was known to have said that she might as well have a commercial hotel where travelers could be kept.
In Riceville, like in all pioneer towns, the early development of the town and the country side was closely entwined. Business men and merchants in the town also operated and owned farms.
David McIllrey who came to Riceville in 1864 was a contractor and builder. Much of early Riceville was the result of his work. At the present time, a new addition to the town is named the McIllrey Addition.
Presently unknown building in Riceville
Levi Dunton came to Riceville in 1856. He was active in town affairs, being secretary of the school board for 35 consecutive years. In 1862, he enlisted for the military service at the time of the New Ulm Massacre.
The first post office established in Riceville, was in 1861, with Dennis Rice the postmaster. Then A. F. Tyrell held that office from 1869 until 1883. There being no direct rail connections into Riceville, mail was brought from Osage by stage coach.
Even though Riceville was platted in 1855, it was not incorporated until much later. The name of "Riceville" was given the village in honor of the Rice family that had been so prominent in its early development. Edmund Burke, who came to the valley of the Wapsie in 1857, suggested the name. It is said that Edmund Burke owned the first team of horses and the first reaper in Mitchell County.
The history of Riceville can be divided into two parts: before the fire of 1901, and after it. This fire seemed to be a turning point in the growth and development of the town. The fire occurred on July 20, 1901, and consumed most of the business district and many homes. A total of 61 buildings, including three churches, were destroyed. The loss was estimated at $200,000. Before the fire there were three hotels, two furniture stores, six general merchandise stores, two grocery stores, two harness shops, a ladies' furnishings store, a post office, a bakery, a millinery parlor, an opera house, a drug and jewelry store, a drug and paint shop, two banks, a livery barn, two hardware stores, two blacksmiths, a photography studio, two dentists, two meat markets, two barber shops, a confectionery, a Northern Iowa telephone office, a depot, a lumber yard and a carpenter shop.
Riceville rebuilt in earnest with more modern and permanent stores and public buildings. It is still divided by the county line which is Woodland Avenue. It is served by the Chicago Great Western Railway. In recent years a fine golf course has been established. Through the combined efforts of the Conservation Boards of Mitchell and Howard Counties, Lake Hendricks, a man-made lake, was established. Although it lies in Howard County, it is used by a great many Mitchell County people.
Riceville has been the home of many important people who contributed the development of the town among them were: E. K. Hendricks, banker; S. R. Ure, athlete; B. N. Hendricks, musician; I. S. Duncan and Frank Markham, railroad men; Bert Wilkes, livestock dealer; Earl St. John, railroad man, newspaper man and banker; R. M. Noble, hardware and Kimball pianos; The Richmond Drug and Jewelry Store; Jim Benson, stage coach driver; Earl Willis and R. T. St. John, State Fish and Game Commissioners, Frank Martin and Gene Gooder; C. E. Adams, creamery; Jay Schultheis, garage; Dr. Frank Lee, Dr. Hugh T. Walker and Dr. J. A. Uran. To this list could be added a long list of dentists, veterinarians, attorneys and other business people who helped to build Riceville. The Riceville Recorder Newspaper, presently in charge of Editor Messerschmidt, has always been a powerful influence in the town.
The present population is 877.
Following is a grouping of the various business enterprises of Riceville as of 1972:
BANKS First National Bank Riceville State Bank FARM IMPLEMENTS Lenz Implement OIL COMPANIES Wyatt's DX Co-op Oil Co. Riceville Texaco GARAGES Ford A & H Motors, Inc. TIRE COMPANIES Wyatt DX Co-op Oil Co. EATING HOUSES Pet tits Café Jennison Inn HOTEL Jennison Inn DRY GOODS, CLOTHING Moshers MENS CLOTHING Huges HARDWARE Farus Coast to Coast GROCERY STORES Dvorach Grocery Mason Food BAKERIES Buckholtz Bess Home Bakery PLUMBING Virgil Mosher Tom Rassmussen TAVERNS Murphys BARBERSHOPS Hinzman Jim Thompson ELECTRIC, TV V & D Electric VARIETY STORE Auctinson Variety GIFT STORE Red Hut LUMBERY YARDS Joyce Lumber Co. AUTO BODY SHOP Rays Body Shop FURNITURE Chisholm FUNERAL HOMES Chisholms Funeral Home CLEANERS Wilders Laundromat DOCTORS & DENTISTS Dr. Johnston Dr. T. G. Walker INDUSTRIES Mosher Doors, Inc. REALTORS Kipple Realty Co. INSURANCE AGENCIES Riceville Ins. Agency NEWSPAPERS Riceville Recorder ELEVATORS Farmers Feed & Grain FERTILIZER Custom Farm Service Riceville Fertilizer VETERINARIANS Drs. Nicol and Calhoun SAND & GRAVEL Norman Construction Co. SALES BARNS Riceville Sales Pavilion AUCTIONERS Jim & Buss Eastman COAL AND COKE Glen Crossman BEAUTY SALONS Ken-Mars Oaks Kathy's Sharon's Barbara's Anns Boutique MEAT PROCESSORS Riceville Lockers HEATING CONTRACTORS Mosher, Virgil & Harvey
Additional Photos from Riceville
Main Street looking East, about 1920 (100Kb)
Woodland Avenue. In winter. About 1900 (177 Kb)
Reproduced with the approval of the Mitchell County Historical Society; from THE STORY OF MITCHELL COUNTY 1851-1973, and MITCHELL COUNTY MEMORIES 1946-1996.
LOCATION: Approximately - Highway 9 and Mitchell-Howard County line. Addison Ave and 415th St.
Transcribed in July 2002 by: Neal Du Shane
Contact information:
RICEVILLE MASTER 071802 MCHS.doc
