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AVOCA, IOWA

When the Rock Island Railroad was being built, W.B. Peterson sold 95 acres to J. Cook and on this land the R.I. Townsite Company located a station naming it the Pacific and later Botna.  Finally a group of railroad officials and families observed the valley from a hill and one quoted Thomas Moore’s poem “Meeting of the Waters” and the name Avoca was adopted.

“There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet,
As the vale, in whose bosom the bright waters meet;
Oh! the last ray of feeling and life shall depast
Ere the bloom of that valley shall fade from my heart.

The original plot was made in 1869, when the railroad reached this point. It was laid by a town company of John and Ebezener Cook. John Gravis of the Rock Island and B. F. Allen, Des Moines banker.

The first business building was erected by Julius Priester in 1869 and the Pacific House the same year. The first general store was opened by Norton and Jones in 1869. Also Beedle started a meat market he sold to Abram Harris.  Jack Acker built a hardware store and C. V. Gardner and Thomas Ledwich started a lumber yard. Ledwich was the first postmaster. The depot hotel was built in 1870 and burned in 1886.

Clarence Peterson was the first child born here and Demane Ledwich the first after Avoca was a town.

The first religious services was held in July 1869, by Rev. Blodgett, of the Methodist circuit, at the temporary depot.

The first church organized was the Congregational in June 1870 with nine charter members. Rev. Wright was their first minister. Their church was built in 1874 and 1875, and the parsonage in 1880.

The Presbyterian Church was dedicated in July 1872. The Methodist Church was built in 1874. In 1910, the Methodists joined the Presbyterians with the group using the Methodist building and the Presbyterian Church was remodeled into a home. The Congregational and Presbyterian Churches merged in Dec. 1968 to form the United Church of Avoca and later built a new building on the site of the Presbyterian Church.

The first Catholic Church was built in 1875 and the new St. Mary’s in 1956.

A Union Sunday School was organized on the South Side in 1877, with John Hazen as superintendent. Later the United Brethren Church at Newtown was moved to the South Side. This very old building is now on the Pott. County Fair Grounds.

The German Congregation Church was built in 1894 and disbanded around 1927.

The First Lutheran Church was built in 1906. In 1950, they built a new church. The English (Danish) Lutheran Church organized in 1928 and bought the German Congregational building. In 1962, the First (German) and English Lutheran Congregational merged to form Trinity Lutheran.

In 1870, Bynon Bunnell built a school where he taught until the first public school was built in 1871. A brick school house was constructed in 1876 and in 1877, a frame school was built on the South Side. The first graduation class had three in 1886. In 1897, a new brick school was built and in 1925 a gym with class rooms on the second floor was added. A building for primary grades and music was built to the west in 1954. In 1972, a fine Jr.-Sr. High School was built west of the fairgrounds and the 1897 building torn down. The Hancock-Avoca school district was formed in 1957.

An 800 barrel cistern was built by the town in 1879 and the first fire department was organized in 1880 with 61 members. The Red Jackets bought a hand engine and hose cart. The old fire hall was built in 1897 and was torn down and a new fire hall and city building built at the same site in 1966.

The first council meeting was held in 1873 when the town incorporated. Milo Adams was the mayor.

The first issue of the Avoca Delta, a Republican weekly, was published by Gardner and Ledwick, Jan. 1, 1870, and bought by J. Adams in August. The Avoca Herald, Democratic weekly, was started by A. Cramer in 1880.

J. Kampf started a brewery in 1874, and later added a dance hall. The Botna Valley Fair, held in Avoca for several years was organized in 1878 by seven counties. The Pott. County Fair was started in Avoca in 1897. G. Diederick, F. Hetzel, R. Barton, and J. Jenks were the first officers.

The first financial institution was a privately owned bank started in August 1872 by J.W. and E.W. Davis. In 1887, E.W. and in 1892, J.W. Davis sold their interest in the bank. This became the Avoca State Bank. February 3, 1893, J.W. Davis opened a privately owned bank known as the Commercial Bank. It was incorporated in July 1901 and named the Citizens Savings Bank.

Leading merchants in Avoca up to 1880 were Diederich, Nelson, Uhder, Stevens, Wiese, Sieffert, Maxwell, True, Hart, Meredith, Van Brunt, Ainsworth, Waterman, Norton, Wilson and Blust.

The Civil War veterans organization, G.A.R. was organized in 1883. On receiving the news of General Grants death in 1885, Commander Consigny requested the Avoca post be allowed to use the name General Grant and since his was the first request received it was granted. The members of the Grand Army of the Republic were proud of their name.

In 1885, the court house was built by a tax levy on the citizens of Avoca on land donated by the town.

Mount Nebo Masonic Lodge was organized October 1870. Avoca Lodge 220 Independent Order of Odd Fellows was started April 1871. Delta Lodge I.O.O.F. began in 1878.

The society of the V.A.S. was organized May 1880, and in November the German Musical Society, Avoca Mannerchan. In

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1884 eight music loving Germans organized a Musick Verein and reorganized as the Avoca Gesang in 1886. The Gesand Verein Pavilion built in 1894 and the Claus Grothe Hall, 1898, have both been torn down.

Queen Esther chapter of the Eastern Star was organized in 1879 and chapter #319 O.E.S. was instituted in 1902.

The Fred Funston post of the American Legion received their chapter Oct. 1, 1919. They bought their present post house, the former Avoca (Harris) theatre building. The Auxiliary was started in 1921.

Some other organizations are: P.E.O., 1922, Garden Club – 1930, Past Matrons – 1933, Rainbow Girls – 1942, Rotary – 1954, Avoca Women’s Club – 1961, Junior Federated Women – 1977. Avoca also has men’s Community Club, Business and Professional Men’s Club and Women’s Community Club. The Senior Citizens call their club the “Elderberries.”

In 1890, the public water system was started. New Years Day 1891, the Harlan Avoca telephone system opened with 75 residence and business places connected. The same year street lights were installed.

The beginning of the library was in 1898 when books donated by the Saturday Club were kept at the Harlow Home. After several locations the library moved in 1954, to a house donated by Edwin Davis. In 1959, the town council accepted the library as a municipal enterprise. Mr. Edwin Davis, who died in 1977, left money for Avoca to build a new library.

In 1903, a cannery was started which ran successfully until it was destroyed by fire in 1912. In 1946, the Avoca Alfalfa Mill built at the site of the cannery.

The American Legion sponsored the building of the largest pool in the state in 1924. This pool closed in 1940. In 1956, a new swimming pool was built in Edgington Park. In 1952, the late Elwood Anderson, former Avocan and Gillette, Wyo. attorney, donated 20 acres for a park to be named for his uncle, Dr. Edgington. This has been the developed by the town into a very fine park with picnic tables, shelters, playground equipment, tennis courts, and ball diamond.

A joint stock company started the first creamery in 1882. A new creamery, Farmer’s Co-op was opened in 1928. Mrs. Gus Diederich submitted the winning name, Avoca’s Golden Nugget, in a contest to name Avoca’s excellent butter. The first creamery board was Fred Holtz, Will Rold, H.V. Rock, Henry Niemann, Freeman Childs, John Lee and Andrew Johnson. The creamery suffered financial reverses in 1966 and closed.

The Avoca Nursing Home was opened November 6, 1961. The 46 bed home is now Colonial Manor of Avoca.

Avoca’s golf courts and club house was opened in 1975.

Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars

The Ladies Auxiliary to Leuth-Staub Post #4279, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Avoca was instituted February 15m 1952. Alma Nelson, Evelyn Lippold, Merna Thies, Lois Wendt, Viola Myers, Irene Jensen, and Frances Nelson are some who have served as president.

Our organization is a service organization to help veterans, their families and the community. We collect clothing for Veterans Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska; sew carpet rags and collect scraps of material, etc. for therapy; collect Betty Crocker coupons for the V.F.W. National Children’s Home and Smouse School, Des Moines and Knoxville; make and send cookies, candy and boxes of articles to Soldiers Home, Marshalltown, V.A. Hospitals at Des Moines, Iowa City, Knoxville and Glenwood Institution.

The auxiliary sponsors Voice of Democracy contest, Brownies and Junior Girl Scouts of Avoca. We maintain a hospital bed and walker for community use.

The organization has held bingo parties at the Avoca Nursing Home and helps the Post run the bingo stand at the Pottawattamie County Fair.

We have had floats at Hancock Old Settlers’ Picnic, Avoca Appreciation Day, Centennial Parade and County Fair.

The auxiliary donated and helped on the doctor’s committee and Avenue of Flags. We have donated flags to grade school classrooms, to the swimming pool, Cancer Fund, Camp Sunnyside, Cerebral Palsy, and Southwest Iowa Handicapped Center.

Avoca American Legion Auxiliary

A meeting was called Wednesday evening, July 27, 1921, for the purpose of creating an auxiliary to the American Legion. The petition for the charter was signed by seventeen ladies.

Mrs. Sam Garlow was elected the first president and Mrs. Edna Schmidt was the first secretary. Mrs. Ted Keeney, vice-president and Mrs. John Kasner, treasurer were the other officials. The charter was granted on September 1, 1921. It was signed by seventy-three members.

Many activities were held to provide for the veteran and his needs. Some of these included quilting bees, card parties, raffles, sewing parties, etc. Through the years the Auxiliary’s involvement expanded to community, state, and national needs. These needs encompass Veterans Hospitals, their families, Legislative decisions regarding the aforementioned as well as the welfare of the hometown vet. and his family.

Many girls have gone to Girls’ State through the Auxiliary’s sponsorship. This program has given them to opportunity to take an active part in the functions of government.

The annual Poppy Drive provides a source of funds for the disabled Veteran in the Vet. Hospital who made them, the Auxiliary for its programs, and a token of remembrance to those who wear them. The poppys remaining after Poppy Day are used by the Unit in decorations, corsages, and Memorial wreaths for departed members.

A Junior Auxiliary group was organized. The girls learned the aims and purposes of the American Legion Auxiliary. Time was spent in service projects. The group is inactive at the present time.

The Unit has three Gold Star Mothers and two Gold Star sisters. The Unit pays the Star Mothers’ dues annually.

The present officers are: Mrs. Herb C. Jens, president, Mrs. Robert Jensen, vice – president, Mrs. Fred Holtz Jr., secretary, and Mrs. Howard Lyons, treasurer.

Avoco Girl's State Champions

In a brilliant finals to the State High School Girls basketball tournament at the Drake fieldhouse in Des Moines, Avoca won the State Championship by downing Centerville 17 to 15 in an overtime. There was less than a minute left when Bramann picked up a loose ball, passed to her team – mate, Kathleen Ferguson, and the latter dropped in the winning field goal.

 The first quarter was indeed close, the two teams being dead – locked as the second period started. Avoca’s classy team – work then asserted itself and Della Bramman and Ferguson worked well together to give Avoca a 9 to 3 lead.

 Starting strongly again as the second half began, Bramman and Ferguson, increased Avoca’s lead to 12 to 6. With only seconds remaining Centerville a point ahead, Della Bramman made a free throw to tie the count at 15 all, to put the game into an overtime.

They were coached by O.H. Rutenbeck, who became Superintendent the fall of 1931 to 1963 and still lives in Avoca.

 Ruth Hatten was assistant coach and chaperone. Howard Cox was Superintendent at the time.

Members of the 1931 team were Della Bremman, Kathleen Ferguson, Anna Kuhr, Agnes Hansen, Margaret Olesen, Geraldine Schaff, Margaret Phahn, Ruby Petersen, Geraldine Sorensen, Ila Buttenschon, Arleen Greene. By Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Schmitt

Avoca Garden Club

   
The Avoca Garden Club was organized March 20, 1930, with twenty four charter members. Officers were: President, Laura Smith; 1^st Vice President, Mrs. John Taylor; 2^nd Vice President, Mrs. Fred Christensen; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Will Marquardt; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Henry Blust and Treasurer, Gus Diederich. The club was federated November 20, 1930.

The Club met twice a month with lessons on gardening, nature and pruning. Field trips were made yearly to nearby woods and commercial garden centers in other cities. Trees, shrubs and vines were planted on the grounds of Avoca’s public buildings. On Arbor Day spruce trees were planted at the cemetery and Chinese elm at two churches. Flower shows were held in Church parlors and in the Legion Hall. Gardening books were kept at the public library.

Now, books are given as memorials for deceased members. Books are awarded to top 4-H record book winners in gardening and conservation, at the Pottawattamie County Fair.

Meetings are held monthly, holiday shows bi-annually and for the past three years are held in conjunction with the county fair.

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The club promoted plantings of 180 shade trees in the community for Avoca’s 1969 Centennial. Money is given for civic fund drives and books for the AvoHa School, while trees are still being planted on Avoca’s public grounds.

We are members of National Council of State Garden Clubs, Federated Garden Clubs of Iowa and have received Blue Ribbon Awards on Club and Yearbooks the past seven years.

The present membership is 41 with five initiates for December. By Martha D. True

Avoca Public Library

The Avoca Public Library was organized May 1, 1898 by the “Saturday Club”, and by the end of the year had 110 volumes.

The first Library was a private home, and over the years had several locations. In 1954, Mr. Edwin W. Davis, a patron of the Library since the early 1900’s, donated a property for the Library, rent free.

Mrs. J. Walter Davis, who had been active in the direction and management of the Library since 1924, gave much of her talent and experience to aid in promoting a permanent library.

On July 14, 1959, the Avoca Town Council formally accepted the Library establishing it under Ordinance 162, and Mr. Davis gave the Walnut Street property to the town for library use.

Upon the death of Mr. Davis in August 1977, public announcement was made of a bequest of $100,000.00 to erect a “Edwin W. Davis Memorial Library” building under the guidance of Ruth E. Davis, President of the Avoca Library Board of Trustees; Edwin Doll, Vice President; Ruth A. Reinert, Secretary-Treasurer; Janice Schultz; and John Dunlevy. Ina E. Peyton is librarian.

The Avoca Public Library has 9491 volumes accessioned with 592 borrowers’ cards in use in 1977.

 Citizens Savings Bank

The Citizens Savings Bank of Avoca, had its beginning with the establishment of a private bank by J.W. Davis and E.W. Davis on August 1, 1972. It was known as the Avoca Bank and at that time was the only bank in East Pottawattamie County.

On August 1, 1885, the bank was incorporated as a state bank. On October 11, 1892, J.W. Davis sold the controlling interest to his Iowa Des Moines National Bank of Des Moines and built another bank building across the street. This bank was opened on February 8, 1893, and was known as the Commercial Bank. Previous to this the Davis Brothers had established banks at Shelby and Persia, Iowa. The Citizens Savings Bank was incorporated on July 1, 1901 as the successor to the Old Commercial Bank.

A new bank building was completed in July 1975, including drive-up facilities, the first of its kind in Avoca.

The Davis family has supplied continuous banking service for Avoca since 1872.

On Sept. 10, 1977, the Citizens Savings Bank honored Genevieve Jacobsen for fifty continuous service. Present officers of the bank are: H. H. Harvey, Exec. V.P., Genevieve Jacobsen, V.P., and Lloyd R. Petersen, Cashier.

English Lutheran Church

The Iowa District called Pastor Carl Nelson July 1928 to serve the Lutheran Danish people.

The English Lutheran congregation was organized March 30 and used the German Congregational Church, which was inactive, later purchasing it in 1935.

In August 1935 Pastor Nelson lost his life in a car accident with his small son, Paul.

In 1950 a Hammond organ was given in memory of Marie Beuck by her mother, Mary Beuck.

Other pastors who served thru the years were Elmer Christensen 1936-1943; Thorvald Hansen 1943-1946; Alfred Andersen 1946-1948; Oscar Johnson 1949-1952; Einer Romer 1952-1958; David Johnson 1959-1962.

On July 1, 1962, English Lutheran and First Lutheran merged and was called Trinity Lutheran. Pastor Johnson and Pastor Gerlt continued to serve.

In 1964 the property was sold to the Avoca School System for a Music Room and Home Economics room.

A new Elementary School had been built and the church and parsonage were torn down in 1973 to expand the school playground.

The bell is used at football games.

German Lutherans

The First German Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized September 24, 1904 with Rev. Schliesser its first minister, and membership of approximately fifty families. Services were held in the Presbyterian church; German classes in Claus Groth Hall until 1906, when the congregation, with work of Rev. Schliesser and Ladies Aid, raised $4500 to build the new church; dedicated December 16, 1906.

All services were held in German; some evening services in English. In 1915 English services were held every other Sunday; Sunday school changed from German to English.

During the 1930’s, under Rev. Joseph Gerlt’s leadership, the Constitution was revised and translated in English; the name was changed to First Lutheran, and became affiliated with American Lutheran Church Synod.

In 1948, the Fred Hetzel property was purchased, a new $75,000 church was erected, and dedicated on January 21, 1951. A new parsonage was built on the Spaulding property and dedicated July 11, 1954. Until this time, six ministers had served the congregation.

In February, 1962, the English Lutheran Church and First Lutheran Church merged, forming the new 1500 member Trinity Lutheran congregation. A new $90,000 Educational unit was built, and dedicated September 11, 1966.

After thirty years of service, Rev. Joseph Gerlt went into semi-retirement and accepted a call to Harrison, Arkansas. Pastor Harold Peterson, Lake Mills, Iowa was

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called to Trinity and was installed February 8, 1970.

In 1973, the lot north of the church was purchased for $10,000, and was landscaped and graveled for parking purposes.

In April 1975, a new $15,000 Rogers was installed.

In 1974, a new $44,465 Narthex was added. $19,455 in other improvements were added to the church, and were dedicated June 22, 1975.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1875-1977

Catholics in the Avoca area were attended in 1872 by Father B.P. McMenomy of Council Bluffs, and Mass was said in the school or at True’s Hall in the Exchange block at Avoca, Iowa. At this time Avoca was in the Dubuque diocese, and then under the jurisdiction of the Davenport diocese in 1881. In 1911, the Des Moines diocese was established and St. Mary’s Church, Avoca, has been in this diocese since that time.

In May, 1874, Mass was held at the school house in Avoca, and at a meeting afterward, a thousand dollars was subscribed toward the erection of a church. Work on the Church started in September, 1874, under the guidance of Father McMenomy. It was a wooden structure 28’ x 40’ in size, and situated on the corner of Maple and Crocker streets. The cost was $2000.00. It had no foyer nor did it have a sacristy.

After the parish was established and the church was completed in 1875, it was placed under the supervision of Father Gaule of Atlantic, Iowa. Then from 1883 to 1898, St. Mary’s was a mission to St. Patrick’s Church of Walnut, Iowa under Father Richard Dollard.

Father Joseph Hanson was St. Mary’s first resident priest. He built a rectory in 1900, and had a choir loft and confessionals added to the church. He also had electricity installed.

Father J.C. White, Father Henry Malone, and Father Daniel McAllister served St. Mary’s briefly, and during Father McAllister’s time, the main altar was brought to St. Mary’s from Westphalia, Iowa.

Father Herman Albers came in 1908 and was at St. Mary’s until 1933. He had a vestibule, furnace, and stained glass windows added to the church. The women of the parish earned money for a new Lyon and Healy organ which was shipped directly from Chicago. In 1915, St. Patrick’s Church of Walnut became a mission to St. Mary’s under Father Albers.

Father Valentine Cashman was in residence from 1933 to 1947; then Father Emil Schuman came. He realized the need of a larger church, and established a building fund.

In 1955, Father Joseph Schulte came to St. Mary’s, and in 1956, the old church was demolished to make room for a new St. Mary’s. The new church was blessed on March 3, 1957 by Bishop Edward C. Daley of the Diocese of Des Moines. On February 1, 1961, a ceremony was held to burn the final note of indebtedness.

Father LaVern Wingert succeeded Father Schulte in Oct. 1969, and his major contribution to the improvement of church property was the planning and overseeing the building of a new parish house and CCD center; also the refurbishing and redecorating of the church. A new foyer was added to the front of St. Mary’s in 1976 and completed in 1977.

St. Mary’s is guided by a Parish Council, selected and voted upon by the whole church community. The Council consists of seven members for the areas in Liturgy, Finance, Family Life, Community Affairs, Ecumenism, Education, and Parish Relations. St. Mary’s Church Council members have all been concerned with the spiritual and physical growth of the parish under the guidance of Father Wingert.    by Ruth Runert of Avoca

The Avoca State Bank

The Avoca State Bank is the oldest business establishment in point of continuous years of operation. It was started as a private bank and called the Avoca Bank in 1872, and was incorporated as a State Bank under the laws of Iowa on August 1, 1885, with paid up Capital of $50,000.00 and our present Capital is $200,000.00. The name was changed to Avoca State Bank in 1904.

Throughout the years The Avoca State Bank has shown steady growth under the active management of John Jenks from 1900 to 1931; Rudolph Stender from 1931 to 1939; Frank C. Vierhus from 1939 to 1968; and Ina Vierhus from 1968 to the present time. Some comparisons of total footings were $317,000.00 in 1900 and in 1969 the footings were $6,500,000.00 when Avoca celebrated its Centennial year. The present footings are now $15,000,000.00.

In 1972 The Avoca State Bank celebrated its Centennial year of business to the public by holding Open House and giving out commemorative items.  The bank originally was located at the South end of Main Street. In 1962 they moved a block north to new and larger quarters. In 1976 a further expansion and remodeling was completed by buying the building to the south of the main headquarters and adding on a new section to the building. The building to the north was purchased and demolished and the land was landscaped adding much beauty to downtown Avoca.

The present staff of the bank is as follows: Ina J. Vierhus – President, Richard M. Coe – Executive Vice President, Edwin E. Doll – Vice President, Kenneth Woltmann – Cashier, Mildred Wunder – Asst. Cashier, Lonn Jacobsen – Asst. Cashier, Carol Suhr – Teller, Jean Holtz – Teller, Joan Johnson – Teller, Joyce Bua – Teller.

Throughout the years The Avoca State Bank has been a leader in helping people to establish new businesses, purchase and build new homes, operate and purchase farms and anything constructive for the betterment of the Community.

Avoca Theaters

In the early 1900’s Avoca had 2 movie houses. One owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. James Zimmerman called “The Majestic Theater”. Price of admission 10 and 25 cents, and both theaters were silent. The Majestic was on main street, present location of True-Value Hardware. The second theater owned by a Mr. Simon Binney, who sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Harold (Skinny) Ebersole, located just west of the present Rubacks store.

A local musician always played piano to accompany the silent movie, playing thunderous music as a storm approached on the screen, a love song while a love scene was played and other background music. About 1922 or 23 the Zimmerman theater was closed and still later Skinny sold his to O.H. Lehmann who operated it for many years. Lehmann also managed the Fullerton Lumber Company.

In the late 30’s talkies became available and movies were done in color. Admission raised to 35 cents. Talkies were a tremendous revolution as far as entertainment was concerned. In 1929 E.K. Harris, then owner of the Harris Bakery and Café built a Spanish style building on the west side of upper Main street to become the new Harris Theater. Mr. Lehmann leased the building and a gala opening night was held August 6, 1936. It was the entertainment center of south-western Iowa. Seating capacity of 550 with large stage and dressing rooms for stage performances. The auditorium was equipped with comfortable red leather upholstered seats, film control room not seen before in this area, restrooms and a larger foyer. On opening night admission was 75 cents, an unheard of price, but the first talking movie was to be shown in Avoca along with the Henry Field Stage Band direct from the Henry Field Radio Station KFNF, Shenandoah, Iowa. The movie was “Fox Movietone Follies of 1929.”

At present the building is owned by the American Legion Post of Avoca and is available to the public for class reunions, wedding receptions and other public gatherings as well as used by the Post for their meetings. The Lehmanns moved from Avoca in the later 30’s when a Mr. Brown of Harlan took over the theater duties, who then sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Howard Brookings. The Bookings being interested in good entertainment, showed the very best in movies and afforded many families an evening of enjoyment for 50 cents.

In the later 40’s television came in to being and movie houses suffered a decline in business and as many other theaters in and around Avoca had to close its doors.

Now, in 1977, one must travel out of town to go to the movies and tickets are $2 and more.

by Ina Peyton