title: In the forefront as a city of progress ...
text: ,^' '% V" o>' .x'^' - <x^' .-■i^'- xV ./ Ow -/-^ \0 o. v^" "^. « o., ^•-^ , '', T * V^^^ \' ^^' ^- # v^ ^° ^^. -'^x. ,v^' - ^^" "'^- ^^' '^<r ^^ .^ <;> .xV '^n =^ * <-^. .*' '^ ^ V ,x^^ >• ■ 0- .V A^- '^ ^y. v^^ ^. .-?s^ v'*- .IK C^^' ,^^"^r, V- > ,0o .0 '^ A' .#• "^^ <^ - ■ ■ 1 1 i ^m^ k4itsi:mlAcfievemwii; / NaWdlAdvatik^s FUZ9 ■ .A/I$A13 Copyright by Publicity Committee of the Marshalltown Club Marshalltown, Iowa i^m ©CI,A43465: "H^ ( I 41 {■*^o4^el-o<r^ ^HIS book may properly be termed a ^ ' ' Little Journey to Marshalltown. " Through a series of pictures and impres- sions it seeks to portray the various phases of our civic and commercial activity. The story is presented as though one of our visitors was recounting what was ob- served and experienced in our city. May this book serve as an interesting souvenir and also as a reference guide to the many advantages afforded by Marshalltown as a city of progress and opportunity. If you have been our guest, we are glad indeed to have had you with us and hope to be honored by a return visit. Marshalltown Club. Ifi© ]SVa.\^s£ei{[io\vi\.WeL^ /^THER cities may have larger population, taller buildings or broader streets, but nowhere are the people more energetic and progressive. A commercial club with over four hundred members co-operates at all times to assist the city's growth and welfare. In six days our busi- ness men raised $90,000 for a new Y. M. C. A. building and in a single day following secured $16,000 for a new hospital. This is indicative of the spirit of accomplishment. In the Marshalltown Club the community possesses a potent medium for centralizing its activity in a way impractical through individual efforts. It has successfully promoted trade exten- sion, holiday festivals, supplementary business organizations and public improvements. To those seeking new fields for opportunity or an ideal place in which to live and prosper, Marshalltown cordially extends a welcoming hand. Sl^^jni-M^" "T :*> /'4 "1\TEXT station stop is Marshalltown." This stentorian announcement from the man in brass buttons awakened our interest in the view out of the car window. You see we were convention-bound and Mar- shalltown was oui- destination. We had heard sufficient about this city to whet our curiosity, and first impressions were in order. Peering out we saw a broad expanse of green country and plowed fields. Nature had donned her Springtime dress in all its verdant beauty. The land was gently undulating, crested with trees and ribboned with ravines. On either side everything pointed to wonderful fertility and many a farmer was seen improving his opportunity behind a team or a power tractor. I)\a.v^ ffa ilro W41 - 1 owa .^.■■,.^:^;O^W.i"]!!WI^ I 2i^^^- y'?m°o^- <Jvf A Cii;y oP'Pro^^QKS's I UNION STATION Soon the distant tower of the court house challenged our attention. Next came the outskirts of the city. Then tall chimneys, long rows of skylights and side tracks with chains of freight cars proclaimed busy manufacturing plants. After our arrival and having arranged customary details at one of the hotels we repaired to the Marshalltown Club. There a right hearty welcome was accorded. We felt very much at home and learned that arrangements for our meetings were complete. "Now then, let's see the town." Strolling out on Court House Square we found many points of interest including the magnificant new Y. M. C. A. — Uncle Sam's creditable Post Office — that spacious Masonic Temple — and several impressive bank and office buildings. In continuing our walk down the streets we saw the beautiful Elks Home, the large Public Library and other attractive buildings. Returning to the Court House, we were ushered into the comfortable, well kept Rest Room, especially arranged for out- of-town folks. This struck us as quite an innovation in public service. We learned that at an expense running into the thousands modern comfort stations had just been installed. »"5Srl-J^>?rVj5 iS\a^L5' fiLallro"Wit - 1 ovrai " lo wa ; V ^ * TC«T8W Of IWCOm HIOH W«Y~ Lie RST ROOM J1CO»KTHOO« Y.M.C.A. CYMHASriUM 'l# A Q^^y o P "Pv o^^QiPs The next thing that caught our eye was the fire depart- ment with the latest improved motor truck equipment. We were told that this, together with the great number of hydrants to each mile, (more than any other Iowa city) provided superior fire protection. We now found ourselves in the retail business district. Up and down on all sides were stores — busy marts of trade. Right up to date in appearance and attractive in displays of merchandise these stores were surely inviting. All lines seemed well represented. No wonder the merchants were loyally supported by their own city and attracted the trade of some one hundred thousand people from outside territory. Marshalltown is located in the heart of a wonderfully rich agricultural country. Following our first meeting, we were invited for an automobile tour. Mighty interesting we found it, too. Starting out on the principal street we discovered this was on the famous Lincoln Highway — the country's greatest cross country thoroughfai"e, liberally used for tourist travel. We were fairly amazed at the many beautiful modern churches. These typify the extensive Christian influence exerted in this city. Then there was the high school, a large handsome struc- ture, well set off by many shade trees of full mature growth. ^^■at^-.L,'^ aG!t gi»Sj^ P »* lT^ ' h\iiv^ jffa 1 iro W41 •" I owa ■:^'ii^it^Sg^g^ ^Ki^t^ ^;-ra*iiJ!*»?.- A Ciij)^ oP'Pro^^QiPy^ The numerous grade schools, two commodious hospitals and the many fine residences all impressed us as being a distinct credit to Marshalltown. Something like a million dollars was invested in new buildings of various kinds the past year. As we sped out to the Fair Grounds we were informed that here was held the largest county fair in Iowa. The Country Club, with its elegant grounds and well appointed golf course, stands for wholesome recreation. Besides the club-house and dancing pavilion there are a number of cozy summer cottages located nearby. One of the most inspiring sights was the hundred and sixty acre establishment for the Iowa Soldiers Home. This comprises a group of large buildings, each admirably equipped for its purpose. The grounds show artistic landscape gardening and are maintained in a most attractive manner. This institution is an appropriate reflection of the esteem and gratitude with which the state of Iowa regards those who have shouldered arms and bravely battled for their country. Tri.a.^^ ffal Irowit - Iowa EVANGEUCALDEACOMSyS H05PITAL A Cijj^' oF'Pvo^i:'Q^ss HIGH SCHOOL We had occasion to use the street cars in caUing on some old friends, and found the service very satisfactory. We also noted the well lighted streets which amply jus- tify the value of a municipally owned electric lighting system. There are some fifteen blocks of electroliers. During our call we learned much about Marshalltown. The beginning of this city dates back to May 28, 1851, when Henry Anson built the first Marshalltown home. Eight years later the county seat was permanently located here. During the Civil War the little town furnished no less than eleven hundred soldiers. In five years following that war Marshalltown grew very rapidly. Today the city has 17,000 inhabitants. Yet its possibilities as a business center promise to double its present population the next decade. The development of Marshalltown has in no way been due to booms but to steady, substantial natural growth. As a firm basis for continuous prosperity we find Marshall County alone producing over six million dollars a year in agricultural products. Crop failures are unknown in this good territory. h\av^ ffa.lirow*L *" I owa ^.EPRE5ENTATIVE~ KUSRSHAUTOWH HOMES A QHy^ o f Pr o^i^QiS's Among those to regard Marshalltown as their home are Billy Sunday, the evangelist; Adrian C. Anson, the Dean of American baseball; the late Colonel Wm. P. Hepbiira, soldier and statesman, and other notables. Our friends pointed with pride to the admirable home conditions of Marshalltown. The ideal location on high land gently sloping in each direction made efficient drainage a simple problem. There are more than nineteen miles of well paved streets. The municipal water plant is strictly modern and supplies an abundance of pure water. All considered, Marshalltown is blessed with many of the advantages which insure comfort- able living and that promote health. Statistics bear this out. The moral tone and social betteiTnent of the city are steadily progressing. The absence of saloons for years — the activities of church and club organizations — and the character of its population combine as powerful influences for good. There is no predominating foreign element and civic interest is apparent in the large percentage of voting population. Twenty- two churches and nine schools enjoying rapidly increasing attendance bear further testimony to a spirit of social progress. The payroll for education is a liberal one. ISiav^ (leAiiownL - 1 ow4i.~iowa I ■^^^■MmM-^^c A substantial building and loan association makes it possible for every family to acquire its own home. A business college of recognized high standards provides commercial training for students from all over the state. The City Federation of Women's Clubs, comprising some seven hundred members, is active in improving environment and conditions. The Federation of Labor lends its active support to move- ments for the benefit of the public. The commission plan of government here exemplifies efficient management of community affairs. For public amusement, there are the opera house, six moving picture theatres, two of which are of the most ad- vanced type, and a Central Association baseball club. Another drive the next day took us "back to Nature," for we visited Marshalltown's fifty-acre public park, Riverview, picturesquely situated on the Iowa River. Our concluding venture embraced a trip through the city's manufacturing district, where we visited the prin- cipal plants. Incidentally some startling information was offered, showing Marshalltown's pre-eminence as Central Iowa's mainstay in manufacturing and distribution. hXavs* ReAlvovnn •" I owa P L IN RIVERSIDE CEMETERY About six million dollars annual business is done in products manufactured here. Over three thousand employes are required for the sixty-two factories. Four hundred commercial travelers are making Marshalltown and its products known throughout the country. The city's industrial development has been fostered by its exceptional transportation facilities. Three main trunk line railroads serve the community well. Thirty-eight trains pass through here daily. More than one hundred thousand tons of freight originate from factories and jobbing houses. As much more arrives here in way of supplies, produce, merchandise and raw materials. Daily package car service with Chicago provides close connection with Eastern markets. The Minneapolis & St. Louis, Chicago & Noi-thwestem and the Chicago Great Western railroads enter this city. Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, St. Joseph, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Omaha are but a night's ride from Mai-shalltown. Of special importance are the Minneapolis & St. Louis shops employing around one thousand people. More grocers' sundries are packed here under one roof than any where else in the country. The largest steel furnace plant in the world is located in this city. More trowels are manufactuied by a Marshalltown firm than are produced by any other concern in the United States. The leadership in Light Draft Harrows in the central west is held by a local manufacturer. Three well known spark plugs ai'e made here. .K'^.VCr-JJr'. ^^-»^t'*S^!f3Si'^?^^M«rSrM h\ei^^ j(ia lirow^L - 1 own~iowa A Ciiy oP'Pvo^rQvS's A steam trap, together with kindred specialties, is made here by a fii-m having an extensive nation-wide business. One of the most successful steam pump governors is a premier Marshalltown product. A great independent meat packing plant is situated here. One of the most important independent oil concerns with numerous branch houses has its main plant in Marshalltown, where it handles greases, oils, spark plugs and other allied lines. Its billboard signs advertise Marshalltown along many automobile highways and in many towns of this section. Then there are other well-known manufacturers of heat- ing systems and automobile specialties, as well as foundries and machine shops. Among the jobbing institutions are large wholesale grocers, agricultural implement people, wholesale fruit mer- chants, furriers, and various specialty houses. We found the largest daily newspaper in the country for a city of this size. In addition Marshalltown is widely recognized as a splendid retail field. It draws trade from an immense radius and has many progressive merchants, who oifer a dependable outlet for good merchandise. Such ai-e the types of industries that have located and developed in Marshalltown. They have taken advantage of a location with a rich agricultural country as tributary — where there is an ample ready market at hand — where superior transportation is provided — where electric power for manufac- turing is cheap — and where labor conditions are satisfactory. MINNEAPOLIS & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD SHOPS C-nl*.-.' iWa^L5^ J^a-iUo w^ - Iowa .^:^^ A Cii^^ o P Pr oi^i:^Q^s These firms have not come because of superficial attrac- tions such as bonus money, free water, free buildings, etc. The natural advantages of Marshalltown are of far more importance than these considerations. On approaching the railway station just before boarding the train for home we noticed a large electric sign spanning the street. It expresses Marshalltown's continued spirit of hospitality for its departing guests: "Come Again.'* Published by Publicity Committee of the Marshalltown Club. Printing by Marshall Printing Co. Photographs by Apgar and Hubler. Engravings and Service by Waterloo Engraving & Service Co. mm m 1 (^Wii A^^' '^/>. ^ --is \ ,-0" ^J- ^-^ -i.- ^^ ,0^ ..:^ ^•^-^^a- ^•.% * 8 1 * % ^'"^ \V 7 ■-■'';■■ ^C^ . ^ A \D V 1 « < ''' "^A .5 -n. ^ ,<^' :■ ,.^' * a N ' » 'V ■ ^^^ s'%, ^>. .vX'^' ■% .^^ ,^^ >*^ V .0 ,-o (V ^ s^-"^ .5 -^>. ^ ■■** * <iV CO v5 -n. "^.. v^^ v^^^ ^'0^ 5 -^i-. aT- 0' .t-^ ■j- V*" ,** ■'*.. V .^^ •% . o. 