All posts by Brian McMillin

Features

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (Duncombe, Iowa)

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St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Duncombe, Iowa)

The interior of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Duncombe is partially torn apart, with complete demolition scheduled for completion this spring. The decision to demolish the 101-year-old yellow brick church comes after two years on the market without a buyer. The church was one of three Webster County Catholic churches to close in November 2008 due to a lack of priests to serve the area; final mass was held November 16, 2008.

The Fort Dodge Messenger News reports the church congregation was made up of around 70 people at time of closure. The predicted shortage of priests has resulted in a long-term plan to close several additional Webster County churches by 2019, including those in Clare, Dayton, and Moorland.

Businesses, Features

Feature: Milwaukee Wiener House (Sioux City, Iowa)

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Milwaukee Wiener House (Sioux City, Iowa)

Not much has changed over the last forty years in the Milwaukee Wiener House in downtown Sioux City. From the green formica booths to the old-fashioned cafeteria trays to the wood-paneled walls, you’ll step back in time when you step inside the front door and to the counter to order your food. A handful of menu items are displayed on the framed menu on the wall, split into three columns. Most diners will order a hot dog, taken from the large rectangular grill which sits along the front window.

The most common hot dog configuration is with mustard, home-made chili, and onions. Big eaters may need two or three hot dogs to satisfy their hunger, or choose from the handful of sides including soup, chili or chips. If you’re not a hot dog fan, try a hamburger patty topped with cheese and/or chili. After paying for your meal (with cash only), grab a seat in one of the booths along the wall. Several historic (and interesting) newspaper articles are framed throughout the clean dining area, or take a seat under the first mustard stick, which supposedly was used to top over 10 million hot dogs.

The Milwaukee Wiener House is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Post Offices

Former Post Office 52341 (Toddville, Iowa)

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Former Post Office 52341 (Toddville, Iowa)

Less than twenty years ago, the unincorporated town of Toddville had a Post Office located in the above building. Since it was closed in 1994 following concerns raised in a Linn County Health Department inspection, the building has fallen further into disrepair. While the post office closure was blasted by residents at the time, the Cedar Rapids Gazette checked on the community a year later to find residents had adjusted to the changes. Local Reverend Jim Price indicated the Postal Service made “some pretty good provisions,” and some residents preferred having mail delivered to their homes versus picking up from a post office with limited hours.

Businesses, Movie Theatres

The Bridal Theatre (Saint Ansgar, Iowa)

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The Bridal Theatre (Saint Ansgar, Iowa)

While the Mitchell County community of Saint Ansgar hasn’t had an active movie theatre for over thirty years, residents and visitors can enjoy the marquee, sit in the old theatre seats, and view the original ticket booth. Spots for movie posters have been replaced with advertisements for dresses and tuxedo rentals, as the movie house has been converted to The Bridal Theatre, a local business featuring dresses and accessories for proms, weddings, and other special occasions.

Construction on the building began in April 8, 1937, and the Roxy Theatre officially opened less than four months later. The Saint Ansgar Enterprise newspaper had a number of articles highlighting the theatre’s amenities, including the “finest” sound and projection equipment, “comfortable upholstered chairs,” and a 12 x 16 foot screen. The Roxy also was equipped with a “crying room,” a place where mothers “can take their children when they get fretty and see the picture from a glass window.”

After serving as a bowling alley for a short time, the building was reopened as the Cinema Capri in October 1977. The Bridal Theatre business was established two years later.

Carnegie Libraries

Carnegie-Ellsworth Library Building (Iowa Falls, Iowa)

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Carnegie-Ellsworth Library Building (Iowa Falls, Iowa)

Successful businessman Eugene S. Ellsworth contributed much of his wealth toward the advancement of the Hardin County community of Iowa Falls. Beginning with the construction of a magnificent opera house in 1899, Ellsworth spent the final eight years of his life improving the community. His credits included major contributions to the 1902 hospital building, the establishment of Ellsworth (Community) College, and a land donation for the construction of the Carnegie-Ellsworth Public Library in 1902.

Additional funds for the library were received in 1903, when Carnegie awarded the community of Iowa Falls with a $10,000 grant. Now home to the city Chamber of Commerce, Main Street, and Development organizations, the library was one of the more elaborate of its size and type and features a number of distinctive architectural features. The Iowa Falls Public Library is now located in a modern, 15,000-square-foot building located along the Iowa River, a few blocks southwest of the Carnegie location.