West Liberty History 1838-1938

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

As Told By Allie Sissell,
House Mover

"One of the first houses I helped to move stood on the George Ward site; moved it down to where Frank Weber now lives, ( West Fourth Street ). Del McClun lived in it while they built his new home, where R. S. Kirkpatrick now lives. George Ward then built the home now owned and occupied by J. E. McIntosh and family. Charley Wiley was the contractor.

"An older one than that: Little Miller store used to be at the head of Calhoun street where Mrs. Range's home is. Moved it to Gorman location, Sixth and Calhoun and John Henderson, a big fat fellow, ran a grocery store in it several years. Then it was moved down to between Gibson and Water's meat market and Harry Luse's pool hall on the north side. I was a young fellow then and fond of work.

"The property known best as the Glenn and Starr property on south Columbus street, stood where the opera house is now, only back from the side walk some 30 feet. Tom Johns lived in it. They took in boarders.

"The old one was on Fourth street, south side, they pulled it through where the opera house is and reversed the porch and office. Was built over there for a rink and used for it. Billy Ament and two kids of Muscatine came up and gave skating exhibitions. It later was a furniture store, ran by J. W. McElravy. Then it was an undertaking parlor and Charley Chase was the undertaker.

"At least 55 years ago, Manfull had a grocery store where the post office is now. (Calhoun and Third sts., southeast corner) He built the brick building, now Dr. Albert Ady's, corner of Spencer and Third, and moved the little grocery store into the back-end. Amos Whitacre's barn on the alley is part of that store.

"Tinshop was where Amos Whitacre's home is now, owned and operated by Vincent Morris. The building was divided and the Meek's home and Hogan Homes today were it, cut in two and now standing on First street.

"Calhoun street used to run to the two barns south of Calhoun, just opposite the amphi-theatre. The street ended there.

"Two freight houses and two stock yards served here, one for each railroad; later they consolidated.

"What is now the Moylan hotel used to stand south and west in the " Y " of the railroad.

"The residence on Elm street, north of the hotel, Moylan's former residence, used to be Cottage hotel, where the present hotel is now.

"Old city hall was a frame building, at one time standing west of Schafer's elevator and was used several years for a wagon and buggy display. Proprietors were " Rance " Evans and his son, Frank Evans. Then it was moved to the old mill site, now the Ford garage on west Third street and used for a laundry several years. Elmer Wells and " Spike " Shaw ran it. Property owned by Tom Rogers. Mill burned down :---laundry burned down;---Mable Blakesby jumped out of the window and broke her ankle.

"The George Wright egg house was moved across the track on Mrs. Swain's property and they made a button factory out of it.

"Lilla McFadden's house was the last one on that side of the street, east. George Wooley's was last, clear to the creek, except for Mrs. May Myer's. The house from where F. T. Lawton lives, was moved east on Third and Mrs. Gus Conklin lives in it.

"The family of Mrs. Margaret Sullivan were all reared in the same house, now occupied by her son, John L. It was located where the tomato factory is now.

"Used to be an elevator right behind W. W. Anderson's grocery, near the railroad track. H. C. Dove ran it, and his two daughters had a millinery store. At another time there was another elevator right in back of the post office run by Elmer Mead, Maurice Whitacre and Sylvanus Hogue.

"There were all frame buildings from the post office to Ed Mackey's cafe. Ed Stratton, had a jewelry store; George Clapper, restaurant and billiards; Frank Patterson, a grocery store."

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