Lone Tree Community School - Elm Yearbook (Lone Tree, IA)

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Sidewalks In the early 1900's the first sidewalks were laid in the east part of town. Business- men began to install cement walks in front of their establishments. By 1915, most of the town had been equipped with sidewalks. Hotels Years ago (in the early 1900 s) when salesmen and tradesmen came to Lone Tree with their goods, they usually found lodging in the Grand Hotel, which was located near the middle of the block on Commercial Street. Another hotel also accommodated such travelers. It was the Madden Hotel, located on the present site of the Sorden and Adams furniture store (on the northeast corner of the Devoe-Jayne Street intersec- tion). A tavern was located in the same building. First Band The first band of Lone Tree was organized about 1900, and the money they made playing concerts was used to buy music and instruments. Those who played in the first band were: V. Smid, Otto Fisher, Frank Menzer, John Menzer, James Franee, H. Hill, Frank Vandraska, P. L. Smith, Walter Horrell, James Windess, Will Van- draska, Charles Eden, Frank Potter, W. H. Younkin, A. Smith, William Zimmerman, Roland Sherburne, Frank Smid, and a Mr. Crane. The old records show that the attend- ance at the weekly practices were good in spite of the fact that each member was assessed fifty cents each night to help pay the services of an instructor. Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank The Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank was incorporated on August 30, 1901, with a capital of $£0,000, which was divided into shares of $100 each. Past Presi- dents were John Goetz, Anton Fisher, T. H. Ashton, and the present one is Herman Wiese. Charles A. Fernstrom and T. H. Ashton were the past cashiers. William P. Ashton fills this position at the present time (1955). Lone Tree Telephone Company In 1903, the first telephone connection to Lone Tree was from the home of John A. Goetz, which contained a switchboard. It was called the Pleasant Valley Phone Com- pany and had connections with Iowa City, Hills, and other neighboring towns. There were also two country lines, East Fremont and Hinkley, connected with Pleasant Valley. During 1905, the Pleasant Valley Phone Company came to Lone Tree, locating its office above the present (1955) Lone Tree R eporte r office on Commercial (Front) Street. At this time five other country lines came into existence--Fremont Center, East Lincoln, Lincoln Center, Palestine Mutual, and Fremont Township Mutual. The present telephone building was erected in 1928 and 19 9. It was completed and in use by 1930; the total cost was $6,760.00. 12

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However, the Zimmerman concern did not remain in Lone Tree. In 1915 they moved to Bettendorf, Iowa, where they believed they would have better facilities. Here they lost the controlling stock in their business and eventually were no longer connected with the firm. Y-Hall Promoted by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lane, the Y-Hall was built in 1898. It provided a home for the Women's Christian Temperance Union. It also servea as a public hall which was used for council meetings, band concerts, elections and, for a short time as a post office. The hall still contains the town library, and serves as a meeting place for the Y-Book Club. It is often used, too, for bridal ••showers and card parties by people in the community who seek more space than their own homes provide. Water System In April, 1899, the first water works system was voted upon. Although it was warmly contested, it was carried by five votes. An unsuccessful attempt to put down an 8-inch well was tried in 1903. On January 23, 1906, a contract was let to G. W. Merridith for the completion of the system in May of the same year. Although Merridith started to drill the well, he did not finish the job. Townspeople eventually completed the well. The equipment that was installed is still used today to provide the town with water. There are now 200 water meters in Lone Tree. Post Office Although the Lone Tree Post Office has been located in many different buildings, it was first situated in a room adjacent to the old Grand Hotel, according to the Atlas of Johnson County, Iowa, of 1900. According to Michael Griebel, the present (1955) postmaster, the next location was on the east side of Main (Devoe) Street (where Jayne intersects) in the building which now houses Hill's Tavern. This was around 1916. Mr. Griebel relates that from 1921 until about 1936 the post office was located on Commercial (Front) Street where the Odd Fellows Hall is now. Next, the post office was located on the west side of Devoe Street where Shellady's Grocery store is now. In 1940 fire damaged this building and for approximately 6 months the post office was contained first in the Y-Book Hall and later in a storeroom back of a store on the west side of Devoe Street. By 1942 the post office had been established in a building (about the middle of the main business block on the west side of Devoe Street) that now houses the Ross Dry Goods Store. In 1946 it moved a few doors west of Devoe Street on the north side of Jayne Street where it is still located. Post Office (1955).

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Today the company consists of 20 lines. A list of persons both rural and town who have telephones today is included in this history so that future '‘historians ’ will know the names. Electricity Around 1905, William Zimmerman found itnecessary to install electricity in his steel plant. Later he wired his own farm home and several other homes and businesses in the community. In the following year, September, 1906, an electric franchise for light and power for the town of Lone Tree was secured by William Zimmerman, and on De- cember 6 of the same year the electric light plant was put into operation. When it was first operated, the electric plant shut down at midnight and there were no lights until the next morning. H. C. Buell reported that when someone wished to have a party they had to arrange with one of the Zimmermans to stay at the plant for a longer time. Today, the Iowa Electric Company serves approximately 427 homes in Lone Tree and the surrounding community. The date that the electric plant was sold to the Iowa Elec- tric Light and Power Company could not be obtained. Parks Parks are not always considered essential in towns the size of Lone Tree, but residents of this community have come to know their two parks are very necessary as places for both recreation and entertainment. The first local park was laid out north of the railroad tracks in 1906 and has grown into a beautiful spot shaded by a variety of trees. A tree expert from Ames landscaped the park. Water has been piped to the area and picnic and playground equipment has been installed, making the park an ideal place for public gatherings. The first park commissioners were: S. C. Carl, H. C. Buell, and W. F. Lutz. The Depot Park was started about 1913 on the north side of Commercial (Front) Street, extending for almost a block. Included in the park are a few benches, a water fountain, and a band stand on which concerts are held during the summer months. ABOVE: City Park (1955). BELOW: Depot Park (1920's). Sale Pavilion The sale pavilion, which was built in 1906, was. located in the east end of town near the railroad tracks across the street from what is now the Frank Kaalberg residence.