The History of Pomeroy

In Pomeroy's infancy the rustle and bustle of new growth was evident on every corner. New Businesses, homes, and churches sprouted up from the flat rich prairies of Calhoun County, Iowa. The Railroad was instrumental in the success of Pomeroy. It bridged the gap between small rural towns and larger cities. The railroad would take passengers to Fort Dodge and haul cattle to Chicago.

If you would like to share any pictures or information about Pomeroy's History, please contact Deb at City Hall. Her email address is deb_pomeroy@yahoo.com (deb_pomeroy)

On a warm summer evening July 6, 1893, an event that would haunt Pomeroy forever descended upon several communities leaving in its wake 71 dead and many wounded. Communities that surrounded the devastated area acted quickly to come to the aid of those affected by the storm.

Nina Thomas aged 4 years was one of the victims of the storm. She is pictured on the left.

Again there was the rustle and bustle of new growth springing up from the ruins. Some families moved on and others picked up the pieces and rebuilt, having to do so without grandparents, wife, sister, daughter, mother, husband, son, brother, or father. Babies without parents were given to other families to raise. The cemeteries in and around Pomeroy have many tombstones that are dated July 6, 1893 or soon after. F. W. Sprague wrote a book about the tornado called The Story of a Storm, copyrighted in 1893 and printed by The Henry O. Shepard Company of Chicago. This book takes the reader on a journey from the beginning of the storm's path in a compelling tale of destruction, death, and numerous miracles of survival. House to house the writer takes the reader on a tour of each household affected. This book also has illustrated pictures of the storm's path as well as copies of photographs. Listed in the back of the book are the people and businesses that volunteered their time, services, and money to the survivors. It is a wonder anyone survived the devastation from looking at the pictures in this book. Visit the Mini Mall located on Ontario street and enjoy the small tornado museum.

Pomeroy was rebuilt, and the spirit of prosperity was alive once again. At Pomeroy's height, there were about 50 business places and one public and two parochial schools: Lutheran and Catholic. There was a beautiful Legion Hall, capable of holding wedding receptions and numerous family gatherings. Legion Day was a local celebration in Pomeroy, complete with rides, hometown food stands, and an ice cream social. At one time two Doctors practiced medicine in town: Dr Webber and Doctor Taylor. Doctor Taylor's office is still standing across from the bank. There were also two banks, two barbershops, several beauty parlors and a nice post office. The business district included a hotel, women and men's clothing stores, butcher shop, drugstore, blacksmith, and several grocery stores. Pomeroy also had two lumber stores and a stockyard. Almost everything you needed, Pomeroy was able to provide.

"The typical drugstore around 1900 had a lot of the features that were present in the drug stores of the 50's. We had the soda fountain, which could whip you up a "fountain coke" from Coca-cola syrup and then add carbonated water and stir. Also present is the Hires Rootbeer Barrel on the counter for old fashioned root beer. The stools were for the counter trade such as teenagers getting a chocolate sundae or a malt, where as mom and dad sat at the wire backed chairs and table and visited with friends. It is presently the Kaleidoscope factory." (Taken from the Historical Society Calendar 2010)

"The S.A.K. Club was orgainzed in 1899 under the leadership of Mrs. Wm. (Elizabeth) Brownlee. It had ten charger members. The S.A.K. Club (Seeking After Knowledge) was organized as a study club and through the years has remained so, but has always had an interest in civic and current affairs. The Club was federated in 1901 and has remained in that orgaization since that time, except from September 1932 to February 1935. It has always retained its membership in the county federation since the organization of the latter." Read More Information from Pomeroy Centennial Book 1970

"In 1918 shortly after the WWI was ending Pomeroy was preparing to replace the dirt streets with a more solid surface, thus getting rid of the muddy days when shopping was to be done by crossing the streets only at the corner where "sidewalks" were built from one side of the storefronts to the other. Also note the awnings that were lowered each morning at the opening then raised after the shade came in the afternoon. the other side of the street did just the oppposite. The only 3-story building on the business district was the Opera house." (Paragraph taken from Historical Society Calendar 2010)

In 1921 the dirt roads in town were paved keeping up with the pace of the automobile. Horse and buggy made way for the more convenient and modern travel of automobiles. Several gas stations thrived in Pomeroy. The invention of automobiles allowed faster individual travel from town to town.

Pomeroy Concert Band: Members of this band were from Manson and Pomeroy. Band Page | Julius Page
The Pomeroy Concert Band was orgainized in the Fall of 1914, with thirty-two charter members. The first director of the band was Mr. C. D. Smith, then W.J. Julius took charge after a short period. The finances of the band had always been amply provided by the Pomeroy Business Men's club, which was responsible for its organization. This band was composed of framers, business men, clerks, laboring men, and a minister of the gospel. During the summer season free open air concerts were given each Wednesday evening. Read original Article. Information about the band was provided by Ann Tell.

Iowa's weather conditions can go from one extreme to the next in a matter of a couple hours. One ordinary sunny day can turn into a compelling story for a book, and one winter morning can become the blizzard of the century. Although Iowa's weather can be tricky, the change of seasons are what make Iowa's weather special. In the spring beautifull trees blossom with an array of white, pink, yellow and lavender. Color gradually brings the winter blahs to bright vivid colors as vegetation and trees open their buds and blossoms. Summers in Iowa are great for picnics, camping, boating/canoeing, bicycling, and about any outdoor sport or recreational activity. Autumn brings another color pallette to Iowa. Shades of red, yellow, orange, brown, and green mingle together for an awesom backdrop for photos or outside activities.

"The large snowstrom of 1947 nearly crippled traffic on Main Street. Snow was so deep and the lack of big snow removal machines presented a problem. The town relied on farmers with snow buckets on their tractors to come and help load and haul away the several feet of snow. The chore took several days before moving on the streets and sidewalks resumed." (from the Historical Society calendar 2010)

An entrepreneur named Leonard Olson has been developing the Pomeroy Downtown District to reclaim the special atmosphere of yesterday. With his Kaleidoscope shop and the College of Leonard, Mr Olson is creating unique experiences for people. Stop in and visit his studio, where you will be able to make your own piece of art to wear or use. If you are planning to visit the shop, Leonard recommends that you page him first. Please visit his website for additional information.

Many talents have walked the main street of Pomeroy. Byron's, the local bar in town, comes alive with local and international talents. Bands have been known to occupy his establishment on Sunday afternoons as well as a street dance during the summer. Visit Byron's website for additional information about bands and their schedules.

The Historical Society is located in the former First National Bank, also known as the former German Mutual Insurance Building. On most 2nd Saturday celebrations the Historical Society has lunch or breakfast at the Community Building. They welcome you to their 2nd Saturday events and encourage you to visit the museum.

Pictured to the right is a Pomeroy School with children posing in the winter snow.

"In 1870, the first post office was stablished n the first store, which was owned by Nicholas Kiefer and he became the first Postmaster.
In 1872, William Hubel carried the mail on horseback from Pomeroy to Pocahontas once a week.
In 1889 G. W. Hamilton moved the post office to West Center Street, but it is not definiete where that was.
On july 4, 1895 the Pomeroy Post office was raised to a presidential office with a salary of $1000 with rent, fuel and lights Later, about 1906, a post office was built of cement bloscks by Malcolm Peterson, on the same site. This continued in use until a new and very modern post office was built on west Main Street in 1962.
Charles Hudson was Postmaster the longest period, serving for 27 years List of Postmasters from March 7, 1870 to the present time." List of Postmaster
Information from the Pomeroy Centennial 1870 - 1970 Booklet

The first store on the left of the photo is a drugstore. The front windows proclaimed this in both English and German because of the presence of German descendants that came to Pomeroy around 1905. This building has been replaced with a different structure and for many years the office of Dr. Weber, MD. At the present it is the home of Jenny's Beauty Shop. The next building was the Hotel and Cafe with a grocery store and a meat locker north of them. In 1980 the buildings all between the beauty shop and the tavern were all demolished to make way for the new Pomeroy Mall. (Taken from the Historical Society Callender 2010)

"In the fall of 1917 an unusual event took place on Pomeroy's Mainstreet. The furniture store had a promotion to increase business. You will notice the crowd is very well dressed for the fall weather and the mode of transportation was the horse and wagon, and the streets are still muddy. The climax to the event was the giving away of a new modern sewing machine, quite a prize in those days as much of the family's wardrobe was homemade, some from flour sacks which were cut, patterned and sewn. The furniture store was owned by Bruce Tubbs ln the 1950's". (Taken from the Historical Society Callender 2010)