West Liberty History 1838-1938

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

One of the outstanding activities in local history and entertainment standpoint, was the Chautauqua, for many years one of the highlights in this community.

The Redpath Vawter Chautauqua was brought to West Liberty in the summer of 1903 due largely to I. A. Nichols, C. M. Nichols and W. W. Anderson who signed the first contract. Ivan Noland was the first secretary-treasurer and was still serving as such in 1930 when due to the ever changing forms of entertainment the Chautauqua became a has-been; Its belongings were given to the West Liberty Fair Association to be used for public purposes, and the local association disbanded.

During twenty-two years the people of this community called the Chautauqua their own attraction and guaranteed its programs and finances. Many eminent people graced its platforms: in 1908 Warren G. Harding, Opie Read, Thos.Brooks Fletcher and Richard P. Hobson; In 1909 came Sen. R. M. La Follette, Charles B. Landis, Dr. Frederick E. Hopkins, and Judge Alden, later came Walter Eccles, W. I. Nolan, Bishop Anderson, Sen. Burkett, Dr. F. W. Gunsaulus, Sen Frank J. Cannon, Gov. R. B. Glenn, Sen. James E. Watson, Judge Kavanaugh, Sen. T. P. Gore, Judge Ben B. Lindsey, Dr. Charles S. Medbury, Robert G. Cousins, Hon. James K. Vardaman, Ruth Bryan Owen, Wm. Jennings Bryan, Luther W. Burbank, and such bands as John Phillips Sousa, Bohumir Kryl, and Thaviu.

Keith Vawter, vice president and manager of the Chautauqua system, was a local boy.

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