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Newspaper
Alta Vistan
Location
Alta Vista, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Jun 30, 1955
Page
2
An reminiscence on Alta Vista in the 1870s and 1880s recalls no electricity or cars, with pioneers like Null Buckley shaping the town. It covers railroad building in 1880, dances in depots, necktie parties, early wagon and horse labor, and fatal railroad blizzards near Alta Vista.
The Zion Lutheran congregation traces to 1869 when Rev. Wachtel began ministering in Chickasaw and Howard counties, gathering Lutherans in country schools. Growth followed the Alta Vista station, Weigand led services, and the church formally organized in 1886 with early leaders listed. The first church building was completed in 1880 on land donated by Wm. Vick, followed by expansions, parsonages, and modernizations through 1949, including a 1926 church, various pastors, and ongoing improvements to worship space and school facilities.
The article describes workers living in ens and banks or private homes in Buckley and Alta Vista areas. It notes five bed rooms, granaries, and barns as sleeping spots, several fires destroying property, and lists boarding houses including Holden House and C. Sirinhaus household. It mentions a saloon run by Chris Krien and other former businesses now replaced or expanded.
A reminiscence recalls Alta Vista’s infancy with first harness and shoemaker shops, first Snyder store, Charlie Welch furniture and hardware ventures, Diamond’s duty store, Nellie’s 1899 Millinery, and a former grocery and livery stable. The piece notes locations near present structures and the town’s 1834 Michigan territory context.
The Paul Johann Peat Post No. 4069 VFW marks ten years since its April 1945 organization. Named for Pearl Harbor casualty Paul Johann, the post built a home, housed meetings, and grew with active leadership including Al Tillman and Herman Schanfeld. The organization sponsored Memorial Day events, community pictures, district meetings, and local sports events with strong member participation.
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