West Liberty History 1838-1938

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

With 8,500 free dinners and 12,000 guests of the town, Tuesday, November 2, 1915, the more than seven miles of brick pavement and boulevard lights, were formally dedicated in West Liberty.

It was a cloudless autumn day, with the largest crowd in the town's history. The festivities began early and lasted ' til late, with the U. S. Marine band arriving at 5 a. m. from Cedar Rapids. During the early part of the day the musicians appeared as privates among other folks, and in their afternoon band concert, they entered into the spirit of the day at the post office corner under the direction of Lieut. Wm. H. Santleman. Upon their leaving they were heard to say," the little town out in Iowa where they do things."

The number of autos figured 1,200. The program began at 10 o'clock, with the two theaters opening their doors with free shows.

There were about 2,600 pounds of barbequed meat, roasted the night before, served at noon in the free lunch on Third street. The parade was led by Mayor C. J. Mackey. The W. J. Moylan float won first place. A burlesque in the parade, was a take off on the hoof and mouth disease in remembrance of an unfortunate case south of town and an attempt to create a scare. This was engineered by the able brain of Amos Whitacre. Eddie Sloan figured in it with a bandaged foot and a terrible nouth, chained to a post and giving every indication of terrible suffering.

Shortly after 6 p.m., the new street lights were turned on to complete the day's scene.

---