1838-1938
| West Liberty History 1838-1938 | |
Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
DO YOU REMEMBER? "That it shall be unlawful for any animal of the cow kind to run at large unattended by its owner or his agent, on any of the streets or alleys of said incorporation between the first of December each year and the first day of March following between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p. m. each day,"---Town ordinance.
A choral club which was organized in May, 1905. Regular meetings were held in the I. A. Nichols home with Mildred Nichols accompanist and Miss Mershon of Muscatine and Mr. Van Doren of Iowa City, directors?
When Mayor McIntosh introduced Joe Cannon who made a brief talk at the depot Park?
When West Liberty's Archery club was meeting regularly?
When Phin Gibson rode a winner in the 4th of July horse race; Harry McCann won the wheelbarow race; Ed John the roller skating race?
When West Liberty had a Chinese laundryman, Sing Lee?
When E. H. Dillingham advertised to make a full set of false teeth for $6.00?
When the liberty cycling culb made its first official run?
When the A. P. A's were active?
When Amos Whitacre made his first entry at the fair? Well he was seven years old then and led the calf eight miles to the fair.
The 4th of July when Ed Evans dived from the top of the McClun building into a tank of water?
"It is hereby made unlawful for any person to ride or in any way operate a velocipede, or bicycle on the streets or sidewalks of the Town of West Liberty."---Town ordinance.
When Henry Polders, then mayor, directed the removal of all out houses for the big bonfire the night the armistice was signed.
The largest attendance ever at the WestLiberty Fair. It was Aug. 25, 1920.
The day the Liberty Bell stopped here on its way to San Francisco in 1915.
When Theodore Roosevelt spoke from the train at the depot.
When the livery stable burned in 1893. When the Hise House burned May 20, 1893.
When the depot burned Aug. 1, 1897.
The first lumber yard, run by W. V. Evans, then Lew Bowlsby.
The first flour mill run by John Russell.
The first tailors were Silas Buckingham, then John Potter.
The first drug store run by Z. N. King.
The first dry goods store run by Reece Lewis.
The first hardware store run by V. Morris.
The first cobbler was John La France.
The first boot and shoe maker was Peter Polders.
The first grocery store run by Peter Heath.
The first postmaster was Francis Foot, then Peter Heath.
The first white man buried here was Oliver Atwood.
The first married couple was John D. Wolf and Mary Ann Bagley.
The first child born was Louise, daughter of William Corns.
When a Chautauqua club was formed in West Liberty for the study of people, customs, literature, and architecture of the more important countries. The length of the course was four years at the end of which time those who wished took the final examination and received diplomas.