West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
BICYCLES

Along about the year 1885 Horace E. Deemer (later Judge of the Supreme Court of Iowa), his brother Joe Walander and other blades of the town brought to West Liberty the first bicycles, built on the plan of a very large wheel in front and a very small one at the rear. One would weigh nearly, if not quite, seventy-five pounds, and cost something around $150 and was equipped with hard rubber tires.

One of these old bicycles is still in the county, owned by George E. Gates, Downey, Iowa, who may ride it during Centennial week.

---