Snapshots of History

By Editor | October 15, 2025 |

Mack and Jeanine Greene donated some photos to the Mount Ayr Depot Museum recently and I want to tell you about them. These photos are somewhat difficult to view because most are “panoramas” taken from a distance. I have scanned these photos at a high resolution and then I zoom in to try and pick up details. There was no information with the photos.
This week’s photo shows a crowd of people gathered in front of the Ringgold County Courthouse that was torn down in 1922. The photo also shows the bandstand on the north side of the courthouse, and that bandstand was built in 1916. So our time-frame is narrowed down to 1916-1921. So, I’m thinking
“Old Settlers Reunion” or “Fourth of July.” Then I see, out of frame to the right, a sign that says, “Red Cross Service.” Now, I’m thinking “Armistice Celebration.”
On November 11, 1918, World War I (The Great War as it was called then) ended and all Mount Ayr businesses closed at 2:30 p.m. to join the celebration on the square. Mount Ayr schools were dismissed at 2:30 p.m. and students and teachers joined the ladies of the Red Cross (in uniform) in a march to the courtyard. I came across a photo years ago showing the uniformed Red Cross ladies marching south on N. Taylor Street, carrying American flags. But, I had no information with that photo, either.
Mount Ayr attorney Frank F. Fuller was the featured speaker and “The Kaiser” was burned in effigy on the public square. Wait, what? Oh, yes, the November 13, 1918 Record-News states the effigy was created “by a number of young ladies.” The effigy was placed on a bonfire “much to the delight of the vast crowd … and burned to ashes.”
A lavish parade took place. Remember, there were only two days to prepare for this event.
In the lot of photos I received from the Greenes, there are four panoramas taken from the top of the water tower, each photo looking a different direction. At first, I thought these photos were taken right after the water tower was built (1914). Now, I think more like 1916.
Again, these photos are difficult to view unless you are very familiar with directions, landmarks and streets. Which I am! And, again, these pictures were taken at a distance and need to be enlarged to be enjoyed. I’ll point out some cool stuff.
The east side of the house at 301 N. Taylor is seen in its entirety. This house was converted into a funeral home (Arch Dunfee) in 1952 and is therefore greatly modified. The stock pens at the CB&Q depot are seen and this is the only photo I have ever seen of the stock yard at the depot. They were located where the cement plant is now. Also, in this same photo, is a shot of R. H. Stone’s Marble and
Granite Works. This was a two-story wood-frame building that was still standing in 1973. It sat next to the alley, facing north, behind the old Western Auto (Farm & Home) building. The word “Monuments” can be seen in the photo.
In another photo I can find the back of the Presbyterian (not United Presbyterian, maybe First Presbyterian) Church. This building sat on the northeast corner of the intersection of Adams and Polk, facing south. The Mount Ayr Centennial Book says it was torn down in 1931. I couldn’t find its demise.
In another photo I could see the back of the Willow Home at 106 E. Monroe. I can see Kim Weehler’s house, which I believe was built in 1916, but it is a very distant view. The sidewalks on East Adams Street appear to be very new.
The photos were taken in the winter so the tree leaves don’t obscure the view. That’s very important.
See you next week.