Snapshots of History

By Editor | July 23, 2025 |

By Mike Avitt
The Mount Ayr High School class of 1975 will get together for our 50-year reunion in about three weeks, so I will dedicate this article to those overfed, geriatric grads. We will also take a look at some of the events and way of life of 50 years ago.
Many members of the Mount Ayr High School faculty started in the 1974-75 school year, those being Clyde Summers, Diane Larson, Mark Matney, and Tom McSweeney, among others.
I believe the Class of 75 was the only Mount Ayr High School class to have three different principals during their four years of high school. Terry Myers when we were freshmen, Russell Boyd in our 10th and 11th grades, and Clyde Summers when we were seniors. Mr. Summers later served as Mount Ayr Mayor.
There was a host of winners in 1974-75 at Mount Ayr High. The girls’ softball team won the sectional tournament in both October 1974 and July 1975. Girls’ golf started in 1975 and the boys’ golf won the Tall Corn Conference in May 1975. Also in May 1975, the Raider Concert Band won its ninth consecutive “I” rating. David Roed walked away with the Arion Award. The track girls won the Tall Corn Conference Title and our Raider basketball boys took a trip to the Iowa State Tournament!
There was plenty to do away from school as the Mount Ayr Roller Rink, Princess Theatre, swimming pool, Ringgold County Speedway, and Lucky Lanes were still operating. But, the Q Club pool hall closed in 1975. Entertainment has changed dramatically in 50 years. I would never have guessed that the skating rink, race track, and pool hall would disappear, never to return.
Casey’s General Store opened in August 1975. This event brought about great change in Mount Ayr, but not immediately. This event was the beginning of the end for filling stations and breakfast restaurants. In 1975, Casey’s opened at 7 a.m. Now they open at 4 a.m.
There were at least nine filling stations open in Mount Ayr in 1975. I was very blessed to have worked at Shafer’s Service Station (AMOCO) in the late 1970s so I know what services and products were offered to motorists fifty years ago.
The Ringgold/Decatur County Landfill opened in 1975, which ended our trips to the Mount Ayr City Dump. Also Southern Iowa Trolley stated in January 1975.
1975 was the last year for, “The Cellar.” This was a teen center located in the basement of the United Presbyterian Church. “The Cellar,” hosted dances with live music, including the Era of Good Feeling band made up of local talent.
The Mount Ayr State Liquor Store opened December 9, 1974. This is pertinent because the drinking age was 18 at this time, so most of the class of 1975 turned legal drinking age while they were seniors. I did. And it was my pleasure to support a new business in good ol’ Mount Ayr.
Mount Ayr had two doctors in 1975: Dr. Roy Fell and Dr. Duane Mitchell. Health care is another industry that has changed immensely in 50 years. I would dare to say there is a degree of complication today that was not there in 1975.
The biggest event of 1975 was the Mount Ayr Centennial Celebration in September. The parade had more than 2,000 participants and about 10,000 in attendance. I remember watching the parade but that’s about all. Mount Ayr’s Sesquicentennial Celebration will be September 19, 20, and 21 this year.
Mount Ayr was established in 1855, the same year as the county.
In 1955, Ringgold County celebrated 100 years making a Mount Ayr celebration redundant. Mount Ayr then celebrated in 1975, one hundred years after the town was incorporated. So, that is why we are twenty years behind.
I look forward to seeing my overfed, geriatric classmates and talking about our favorite restaurants. I guess we could talk about school days, too, if we have time.