Brief View – Collins Town and Township Community
Wm. Parker was the first property owner resident of Story County in Collins Township – 160 acres in Sec. 33 and34 October 1849. The town of Collins began a mile northeast of the present location about 1875. A post office was established and a school built. In 1881 the Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad line was built about one mile south and a depot built on the S ½ of NW ¼ of Section 21 Collins Township. The town of Collins moved to NW ¼ section 21; present day site. The town incorporated in 1882, post office relocated here, 8 businesses and school begins. A 2-story wooden structure school building erected in 1884. Collins population was near 275 in 1890.
During the very early era of pioneer settlement of Collins Township, 8 country schools were built (late 1860 through 1870’s), teaching grades first through eighth. They were located 2 miles equal distance apart, thus, no students beyond 2 miles distance to school. Walking was customary mean; no cars in this early era. The names and locations of the 8 country school districts were: #1 – Gravel Point – SE corner Sec. 2; #2 – Kennedy – NE corner Sec. 9; #3 – North Western/Blossom Ridge – NW corner Sec. 8; #4 – Franklin – SE corner Sec. 18; #5 – bypassed, sub-district; #10 created for Town of Collins Independent
School District; #6 – Willow Creek – NE corner Sec. 23; #7 – West Point – NE corner Sec. 35; #8 – Union – NW corner Sec. 34 and #9 – Mt. Olive – SE corner – Sec. 30.
October 16, 1902 - The city water well, W. H. Hoar Well Drilling Contractor for 8 ” well for 200 feet, reduce to 6 ” for next 200 ft. to depth of 400 feet if needed: Price at $1.25 per foot first 100 feet, $1.50 per foot, 2nd 100 feet with casing included in price. The council met in special session to accept drilled well. It is 275 feet deep, has 225 feet of water and tested 21 gallons per minute pumping rate.
October 23, 1902 - National Construction Co. began construction of waterworks system, laying foundation for a huge reservoir. Contract amount = $6200.
November 13, 1902 – The engine in place and ready for pump jack. Eleven fire plugs have arrived. (Insert 2003: No comments on water lines.)
December 23, 1902 – City council accepts waterworks plant.
April 3, 1913 – Public Notice. All persons are hereby notified to immediately clean up all alleys, barnyards and other places where rubbish and manure have accumulated. Out-houses and pig-pens must be kept in sanitary condition. No vehicles or other obstructions will be permitted in the alleys. Don’t let chickens run at large. A violation of any of these things invites a