HISTORY OF EXIRA.

EXIRA is one of Audubon county's live and enterprising cities that has gained a name for itself far from its immediate locality. The reason is chiefly because its business men are alive to its interests and spare no pains to make it a first-class trading point, and a stock and grain market. Their ardent labors have not been in vain, for it enjoys the distinciont of being one of the best trade centers in the county, drawing a large business from the territory that belongs to less enterprising towns.

Exira is situated in one of the lovelists spots of earth's domain sixteen miles north of Atlantic, and ten miles north of Audubon, the present county seat, and in the very heart of the richest agricultural county in the known world. The farmers in the immediate vicinity are prosperous to the extreme. Their farms are dotted with costly buildings while beautiful groves and good orchards beautify the scene. The town itself contains substantial brick business houses and fine residences. Exira was platted June 1, 1857, by county surveyor P. I. Whitted and acknowledged by county judge D. M. Harris. It is situated on section 4, township 18, range 35, west. Houston's addition was authorized to be platted by A. B. Houston, Septe,mber 2, 1878. West Exira was platted March 29, 1879, by H. F. Andrews, W. F. Stotts, H. B. Houston and J. M. Griggs. Smith's addition was platted in the fall of 1888, by A. C. Smith. In each of these additions there have been erected several fine residences. In Smith's addition the improvements have been most extensive. Otto Witthauer erected the first residence in 1889, to-dya there are thirteen beautiful houses in this addition.

The first house erected in Exira was the property of Judge D. M. Harris, and was built in the fall of 1857. The first business house was the property of John D. Bush. The first druggist was Mr. Scott, who was succeeded by Geo. Hardenbrook. The first hardware dealers were Russell & Stotts. The first furniture dealer was A. I. Brainard. The first harness-maker was D. E. Soar. The first shoe-maker was a Mr. Wilson. The first blacksmith was Thos. Trueman. The first school house was built in 1857, and remains an old "land mark." Its original cost was $1,300 and was erected with less than $100 cash outlay, the balance was paid in farm produce. The postoffice was established in 1857. The following gentlemen have served as postmasters: D. M. Harris, C. E. Frost, John D. Bush, B. F. Thacker, Caleb Bundy, Geo. Hardenbrook, M. A. Mills, Wm. H. Milliman, David Workman and Mr. Copeland.

Exira became an incorporated city in 1880 and had a population of about 450. The following gentlement have acted as mayors: J. R. Rudge, R. W. Griggs, J. B. Coonrardy, A. B. Housont, KJos. E. Soft and Chas. F. Willcutt.

The city's financial interests at present are carefully guarded and its money economicaly [sic ecomonically] expended for improvements by the following gentlemen: Mayor C. F. Wilcutt, councilmen Wm. Fulton, C. H. Rollins, Edwin Delahoyde, John I. Hensley, Geo. H. Henshaw, C. D. Woodward, recorder, Will Woodward, treasurer, D. E. Shrauger. Under the present administration the city's improvements have been more substantial and noteworthy than during all previous administrations, namely: Complete system of water works, engine house and firemen's hall, over two miles of good sidewalk, and, possibly electric lights will soon take the place of the common oil lights.

Many more improvements of less importance have been made. The improvements last year, while not quite so extensive, were unusually good and attractive.

Investments in Real property have been more profitable than any other line of business. There has been no "boom," but a steady growth, both in town property and farm lands. The increase in the price of farm lands in this vicinity promises to be greater in the near future than ever before. This is apparent for various reasons. The soil is as productive and rich as can be found in the state. There has been a number of instances where in the past few years THE CROPS ON A FARM WAS WORTH MORE IN THE MARKET AT EXIRA THAN THE AVERAGE PRICE OF LAND. There has been no effort to advertise the lands for the purpose of speculation, and consequently it is much cheaper than in many portions of the state where the soil will not produce so abundantly. A large number of transfers are recorded each week and in every instance at an increased price. Good farms can be bought at from $25 to $30 per acre. From fifteen to thirty per cent is being realized on investments in town property, and there is not a single vacant resident or business building in town. Never in the history of the town has it had a more rapid growth than in the last two years, and the prospects for the coming year are even better. Truly, Exira's future is bright.

Those desiring to either buy or sell real property will find it profitable to consult I. L. Statzell of Exira. He has a number of choice farms for sale that will be shown without expense to those wishing to purchase.

It is highly complimentary to the intelligence of Audubon county people, that in the few years devoted to the development of educational advantages, she has made so fine a record. Education has ever been held uppermost in the minds of the people, who have never expended foolishly, yet always liberally. To-day she has a system which equals any and far surpasses many older counties. The High school of Exira is one of the most flourishing and effective in Western Iowa, and is under the superintendency of Prof. Chas. F. Willcutt, an enterprising educator who ranks as one of the very ablest instructors in the west. A $7,000 school building located in the eastern portion of the town affords ample room for the 200 young and ambitious scholars. It is with a feeling of admiration that the citizens of this flourishing town witness the good work accomplished year after year in their public schools.

The corps of instructors are C. F. Willcutt, Principal, and teacher of High School Department; Anna Fulton, of the Grammar Department; Abbie Porter, of the Intermediate Department; Lena Hardenbrook, of the Second Primary Department, and Clara Powell, of the First Primary. All are efficient in their several grades, and, together, form a very successful teaching force.

The schools enrolled over two hundred pupils last year, and the present enrollment is over two hundred and twenty-five.

Many young ladies and gentlement from outside districts attend the Exira schools.

The course of study in the High School consists of two year's work and includes Algebra, Plane Geometry, Rhetoric, Composition, Civil Government, Physical Geography, Philosophy, Orthography and Botany.

Transcribed February, 2023 by Cheryl Siebrass from 1857-1891 History of Exira Audubon County, Iowa, From Its Foundation to the Present, Crane Publishing Company, Atlantic, Iowa, pp. 4, 5-7.