1914 an important year in Mount Ayr history
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Compiled by Mike Avitt
While this year’s sesquicentennial commemorates the founding of the city of Mount Ayr in 1855, the year 1914 alone holds a prominent place in that long history.
The new high school building graduated its first class of students, nine girls and eight boys. That year saw the emergence of the first high school yearbook in Ringgold County, the Ayrian.
The First Christian Church on the southwest corner of the square was dedicated on March 15, 1914. This house of worship would be used until 1980, when it burned to the ground. The current First Christian Church now stands in its place.
Dr. C. C. Lawhead, a dentist, bought the business and residence of Dr. F. C. Clark in November 1914. In 1919, Dr. Lawhead installed the county’s first X-ray machine in his office. As you know, Dr. Lawhead would later have a son and grandson practice dentistry in Mount Ayr.
In July 1914, Charlie Chung (or Chong), of Creston, was in Mount Ayr with his cousin Ben Chung [Chong] looking for a location to open a laundry. Ben would eventually operate a laundry on Depot (Taylor) Street and cook Chinese food at Hayes Main’s restaurant.
Sheldon Heights (Shellway Drive) was developed in 1913 with the construction of Frank Sheldon’s house at the entrance of the affluent addition. However, it was in 1914 that Howard Tedford, H. H. Wilson, Bert Teale, J. O. Fry, and others built their fabulous homes, which give Shellway Drive its distinctive look today. This area was a former picnic and nature area known as White’s Grove. An early tennis court was built in Sheldon Heights in the 1920s when lawn tennis became very popular.
The Mount Ayr water tower, built in 1913, first took on water in July 1914. It would be several years before the pumps and filters all operated smoothly. The business district sewer system wasn’t in place until 1919.
The Princess Theater showed its first picture in September 1914. Owner L. P. Todd had previously owned the Star Theater, having purchased the business from W. E. Mack.
In April 1914, the Mount Ayr Power & Light Company began to offer 24-hour electrical service. Previously, service was only available during certain hours of the day. In 1916, the power plant was reconstructed to offer alternating current. Iowa Southern Utilities bought the plant in 1917.
Henry Faris purchased H. H. Wilson & Co., a highly reputable grocery store, in January 1914. Henry’s health failed, and he was forced to return the store to H. H. Wilson. Harry Liggett, Arthur Liggett, and Charlie Horne purchased the store in 1918, retaining the original name.
