Snapshot of History by Mike Avitt

BY MIKE AVITT There was a freak snowstorm on April 21, 1918 and a photographer captured this scene. Freak storms happen once in a while but the winter of 1936 happened only once. In mid-January 1936 the Record-News reports 16 inches of snow fell the previous week with strong winds. The railroad tracks between Mount…

Ellston’s original depot burned in 1907 and a new one was built later that year. Let’s look at the beginning of this Union Township town. Surveyors for the Humeston & Shenandoah Railroad were staking out the right-of-way in northern Ringgold County in 1881. The Ellston Centennial Book says Dr. John Davis and Abner Goodell provided…

BY MIKE AVITT I posted this photo on Facebook and was asked how I determine the date of a photo. Let’s look at Tingley’s Main Street and I’ll tell you. The white lettering on the photo tells me this image was a postcard. Penny postcards were most common in Ringgold County between the years 1908…

I took three pictures of this building in Caledonia before it was burned by the owner in 2007. It was once used by Dr. Allen W. Reynolds. Dr. Reynolds retired about 1940. Caledonia was established in 1855 by the Swigart, Stuck, and Walter families. The new village was located near the Dragoon Trace, a military…

BY MIKE AVITT This week’s photo comes from the Clair Heyer collection. The restaurant was called Tingley Cafe in the early 1960s but would have a different name in 1977 when an unexpected guest dined here. The September 22, 1977 Record-News reports Iowa Governor Robert Ray and his financial assistant, a Mr. Sharp, showed up…

BY MIKE AVITT I was visiting with a friend of mine about the Mount Ayr High School Hall of Fame nomination process and I learned my friend has not been to an induction ceremony. I have been in attendance on two occasions and enjoyed both. This week I’ll share some info on possible future inductees.…

BY MIKE AVITT There were way more occupants of this building than I thought. I probably won’t get them all in today. The building was constructed at 1004 W. South Street in Mount Ayr in 1947. Ames Cross had previously had his auto and gas business in a wood-frame building nearby. I don’t know what…

BY MIKE AVITT State Highway 3 (now Highway 2) once came into Mt. Ayr from the east and turned north on what is now US 169. No. 3 then turned west on Monroe St. and continued halfway around the square, exiting town on Madison Street. That all changed in 1939 when the highway was routed…

BY MIKE AVITT The newspapers don’t often carry news about taverns but there were bits and pieces. When I combine that info with beer permit applications, which were published in the City Council proceedings, I get a partial story. This week’s photo is not in good focus but I can see Red Lamb’s Tavern at…

BY MIKE AVITT I’ve written about this photo before but I have further information. The picture comes from the Orr Fisher collection and was taken in 1939. The December 2, 1875 Ringgold Record newspaper describes the construction of this building, the buildings to the west, and the occupants. There were three buildings built at the…