This makes a nice downtown tour for returning class reunions or other group tours.
With two historians or tour guides, begin at Wapsipinicon Main St. Bridge. Each group will walk up the street to the bank corners and then cross street and back down to bridge. You’ll then walk to the Wapsipinicon Mill where an awaiting tour guide will take you on an additional tour. This takes approximately 2 hours.
NORTH SIDE
| Building | Occupants (most recently first) |
|---|---|
| 100 1st St. West | Wapsipinicon Mill, Independence Mills, New Haven Mill |
| 200 1st St. West | Burger King, Kimmerle D-X, Werling D-X, Johnson D-X |
| 222 1st St. West | Private Residence, Degrief Barber Shop |
| 101-106 1st St. East | Brimmer Park (named after Frank Brimmer, Mayor), Interstate Power, Central States Power, Murphy’s Paint, Icis Theater, YMCA, Vogue Beauty Shop, Wapsi Fly, Kemmerer Electric, Multhauf Auto Supplies, Freeman Electric, Kramer Meat Market, Kelly Tires |
| 108 | Color Divine, Sweet Spot, Younique Images, Second Hand Store, Polly’s Dollies, Living Water Church Conservative/Miller Printerie, Simpson Café, Marinus Plmbg./Ensminger |
| 110 | Allerton Brewery, TLC, Studio 110, Chamber of Commerce, Ohl Real Estate, Titsworth Ins., McDonald Photo, Kramer Ice Cream, Kramer Lunch, John Barnett |
| 112 | Independence Area Chamber of Commerce & Buchanan County Economic Development, H&R Block, B&D Service, Iowa Liquor Store, Café Imperial, Main Diner, Glenny’s Barber Shop, Campagna Grocery, Israel’s |
| 114 | Studio 21, H&R Block, Wally World, Jo’s Tap, McDonald Studio, Billiard Parlor |
| 116 | Gedney Bakery, Studio 21, Christian Life Church, Pink PolkaDot Studio, Iowa Strength, Christian Life Church, Video Corner, Montgomery Ward, Berger’s Pool Hall, Smoke Shop, Unique Printing Co., H. Gates Millinery |
| 118 | Gedney Bakery,Vacant, Christian Life Church, Pink PolkaDot Studio, Iowa Strength, Christian Life Church, Custom Network Associates, Video Corner, Olive Branch Book Store, Kid’s Corner, Jim’s Gallery, Main Diner Cafe, Farmers State Bank, People’s National Bank, Holzer Clothing |
| 200 | Full Circle, Hartig Drug, Family Pharmacy, Skogmo, Anderson’s 5 & 10, A&P Grocery, Independence Food Store, Sheehan Bros. Clothing, Stocking & Holzer, Sherwood & Stocking, Chicago Clothing |
| 204 | Full Circle, Hartig Drug, Family Pharmacy, Skogmo, Anderson’s 5 & 10, Independent Food Store, Leytze’s Clothing, McEwen Drug, Post Office, Billiard Hall, Office Towne, Independence Plumbing & Heating, Wilson Photography, Nancy’s Hallmark, Shriver Furniture, Leytze’s Furniture, Leytze Furniture/Carl’s Radio & TV, Johnson Appliance, Robinson Grocery, McDonnell Bros. |
| 206 | Heinz Academy of Performing Arts, Kinetic Energy Dance, Radio Shack, Office Towne, The Computer Store, Shriver Furniture, Leytze’s Furniture, Leytze Fam/Johnson Appliance, Swan & Leytze Furniture, Swan’s Furniture |
| 208 | B&D, Vacant, Karsten Real Estate, Willoughby Chiropractic, Spencer’s Decorating, Gray’s Shoes, J&P Shoe, Independence Food Grocery, Pfotzer Harness, Soener Harness, Foreman & Minick |
| 210 | B&D Services, Perpetuals, Hess Pharmacy, McGrane’s Pharmacy, Schroeder Drugs, Parker Drug, McDonald & Romig Drug, Canada Grocery, Edwards Grocery |
| 212 | B&D Services, Hess Pharmacy, Flower Den, Hilda’s Flowers & Gift Shop, Steimetz Shoes, Conservative |
| 214 | Perpetuals, Hess Pharmacy, Second Glance Consignment, Paul Revere Pizza, Hess Pharmacy, Watkin’s Pharmacy, Asher Drug, Steinmetz & Wackerbarth |
| 216 | NAPA Auto Parts Store, Salvation Army, Self Serve Shoes, Assmus Meat Market, Close & Assmus Meat Market |
| 220 | Mr. Pete’s Mexican Grill, Los Jinetes Mexican Restaurant, Kosta’s, International Cuisine, Bronze Body, Salvation Army, Two Brothers, Self-Serve Shoes, Assmus Meat Market, Close & Assmus Meat Market, Two Brothers, Western Auto, Coast to Coast, Holland’s Real Estate, Burris & Soener Ice Cream, Baum & Burris Restaurant, Two Brothers, Vern’s True Value, Davis Paint, Towlerton’s Grocery, Buell’s Grocery |
| 222 | Swisher & Cohrt, Mary’s Flower Patch & Gifts, Java & More, Violet’s, D.J. Lounge, Two Brothers, Nassif Steak House, Shamrock, Sarge’s Tap, Bulletin-Journal |
| 224 | BankIowa, Farmers Bank, Farmer’s State Savings Bank, Karsten Realty, Greenley & Holland Insurance/Birchard Barber, Western Auto, Soener’s Club Café, Towlerton’s Club Café, Davis & Ahearn Meat Market, BankIowa, Farmers Bank, Farmer’s State Savings Bank, Ballou Paint, Schmickle Paint, Davis Paint, Deven’s Paint, Barnett Drug, Grocery Store, BankIowa, Farmers Bank, Farmer’s State Savings Bank, Coast to Coast, Glenny’s Grocery, Barber Shop |
| 230 | BankIowa, Farmers Bank, Farmer’s State Savings Bank, Buchanan Co. National Bank, C.E. Purdy Grocery Store, First National Bank |
NORTH SIDE NOTES
Wapsipinicon River legend = Wapsie/young Indian brave. Pinicon/beautiful Indian maiden.
Children of the same race but of different tribes. As fate willed it, they met, perhaps by chance, fell violently in love & suffered the consequence. Strong objections on both sides. Were caught together, ran in desperate flight. When they reached the river’s bank the pursuing chiefs were just behind them. The devoted lovers clasped in each other’s arms and plunged into the stream.
Bridge = the current cement bridge was completed in 1917 at a cost of $43,682.09. It was re-dedicated in 1986.
Wapsipinicon Dam = originally a wooden dam, built in the late 1860’s. Replaced fall of 1908, and completed the next spring, with concrete dam. 223 ft. long, built up on bedrock and equipped to carry approximately 2 ft. of flashboards. The abandoned power plant (completed in 1922) also served as the east wing of the dam. That portion was eliminated in summer 2002. After the record breaking flood of 1999 (22.3 ft) the Corp of Engineers approached the City of Independence to leave the east wall intact at its original height, only removing the north, south and west walls, the entrance gates and everything else to dam level. Crushed rock was used to fill any remaining space, and an 18 inch cap slab was placed on top. This move is thought to have helped the 2004 flood that reached 17.9 ft.
Brimmer Park = named after former Mayor, Frank Brimmer term 1980-1991. Buildings torn down and replaced with small park, restroom area, and flag pole. This area was flooded in the 1999 flood. Mural on side of building was painted by two local artists, Barb Lake and Sarah Sheets as a Chamber of Commerce event the summer 1983.
Cast iron pillars = many downtown fronts have the cast iron pillars (such as the ones at 110-112 1st St. E) made by Star Foundry of Independence. Frank Megow had his foundry located next to the Independence Sale Barn during the 1870’s. Made many of the iron fences (such as Oakwood Cemetery) and urns around town, railing at St. James Episcopal Church (next to post office) and mural above door at Munson building. He also made many of the man-hole covers in Independence – see the Megow Star Foundry display in the mill (including the man-hole cover recovered from the sidewalk during the 2012 sidewalk renovations).
Early downtown fires = the second fire (and the worst) was May 25, 1874. Taking this entire block, jumping across the street and taking the south side of 1st St. E to the Montour House (now Security Bank) and the back side of the block also. So this entire block was REBUILT in a uniform way in late 1874-5. Some local brick was used.
2nd Ave. NE a/k/a Chatham St. = bricked in 1909b- with then Gov. Cummins laying the first paving brick. Had the trolley tracks in the middle of the road leading from I.C. Depot to Rush Park. Taken out in the 1950’s and then black-topped.
Cross 2nd Ave. NE to continue up the block to Bank Iowa corner…..
The gray painted buildings on this corner is commonly known as “The Leytze Block”. Most of us remember the corner being Anderson’s 5-10.
Fire #1 – half of this block (from 214 1st E west to the corner and then to the alley by Malek Theatre) burnt in the first devastating downtown fire November 1873. Thereby being rebuilt into a magnificent brick block.
BankIowa corner = several businesses were closed when purchased by Farmers State Savings Bank in remodeling/enlarging their banking business.
To continue the tour – please cross the street to meet with another tour guide and continue back down the south side of street to the bridge.
Through the years address numbers may have changed.
SOUTH SIDE
| Building | Occupants (most recently first) |
|---|---|
| 231 | Northeast Security Bank, Security State Bank, Commercial Bank, Montour House, Corlis Shoes, Security State Bank, Ginny’s Mod-O-Day, Lola’s Shoppe, Bickenbach’s Millinery, Western Auto Hardware, Groman Millinery, Security State Bank, Dave’s Clothing, Larry’s Clothing, Snow’s Clothing, O’Brien Clothing, O’Brien & Bros. General Store, O’Brien “The Old Reliable”, Security State Bank, M&J Sales, Mont. Ward, Mahoney’s Bakery, Dutoit Bakery, Home Bakery, Osborn’s Lady Wearing Apparel |
| 221 | S&K Collectibles, Laree’s, Conlee’s Office Supply, McGraw’s Office Supply, Baebenroth Book Store, Willey Book Store, Hawe’s Book Store, Hazel Willey Book Store, Schuette Book Store, Henry Oliver Book Store |
| 217 | Adams Family Furniture, Cook’s Swap Shop, Tegen’s, Williams Department Store, Dannenbrink’s Clothing, Woodwards, Hales Emporium, O.R. Gates Hardware, Adams Family Furniture, Cook’s Swap Shop, Tegen’s, Millinery Bickenbach 5 & 10, George Smale Book & Music Conservative |
| 213 | Quilter’s Quarters, Davidson’s, Grahams, Keagy’s Grocery, John Barrnett Dry Goods, P.C. Heege Furniture, Davidson’s, Grahams Home Café, Gambles, Tabor’s Hardware, L.C. Simmons Hardware |
| 211 | Eschen’s Clothing, Michael’s Clothing, Gambles, Kaye’s Electric, Tabor Hardware, Simmons Hardware, E.S.S. Allen Bros. Hardware, Lillie Hardware, Barclay Hardware |
| 209 | Kinergy Collectibles, Davis Gym Club, Nutrition Store, Ballonz & More, Dazi’s, Balloon’s by Granny, Balloon’s the Wright Way, Purdy’s New & Used, Painted Lady, Flo’s Knit & Stitch, Dubbeld’s Merchantile, Guernsey Appliance, Home Appliance Store, Waldrons Shoes, John Fouts, The Booterie |
| 207 | The Flower Mill, Candle’s & Scents, Enchanted Florals, Squeezee Design, Rubber Stamp Store, Dubbeld’s Jewelry, Eggers Jewelry, Weither Jewelry, Fussel & Wells Jewelry, Herrick Jewelry |
| 205 | Total Image, Dan’s Shoe Repair, VanDenover Jewelry, Brandenberg’s Jewelry, Fussel Jewelry, R.H. Groves Jewelry, Dan Jones Jewelry, Littlejohn Shoes |
| 203 | Plush Salon, Wilson Photography, Independence Plumbing & Heating, Country Sunshine Bridals, Jeanna’s, Holzer’s Men’s Clothing, Stocking & Holzer’s, Connie’s Hallmark, Sears, Barlo’s Children Shop, Klotzbach Dry Goods, Independence Variety Store, DeClaire Millinery, John Wiley Boots |
| 201 | Circle 8 Cyclery, Connie’s Hallmark |
| 121 | Indee Area Gymnastics Academy, Connie’s Hallmark, Baum’s Clothing, Albert Israel Clothing, Fisher Groceries, Sears, Barlo’s Children Shop, Klotzbach Dry Goods, Independence Variety Store, DeClaire Millinery, John Wiley Boots |
| 119 | Ninny Frank’s, KW Legacy Group, Wapsi Realty, Signs & More, First Street Decorating, Conklin Decorating, Plane’s Hardware |
| 117 | Sanity Room, The Flower Mill, Beyond the Mill, Adams Furniture, Bland’s Flower Shop, Lears Hallmark, Nancy’s Hallmark, Dannenbrink’s Clothing, Logan’s Dry Goods, Burg. Co. Jr. Dept. Store, Woodwards, Swan’s Furniture, W.H.H. Morse Morse & Littel, Morse & Barnett |
| 115 | Ohl Realty, Lane Insurance, Smith Drugs, Fuhrman Seed & Feed, Tabor & Son Drug Store |
| 113 | Buchanan County Title & Loan, John Deere Community Credit Union, Waskow Insurance, Federal Savings & Loan, People’s National Bank, John Barnett & Co Dry Goods, Bowley Dry Goods |
| 111 | Wapsi Wares, Geoffrey Tea Room & East Union Antiques, Franks Clothing, Frank & Soener Dry Goods, Moore & Bogert Dry Goods |
| 109 | Vacant, Fabulous Fridays, Choung Garden, Armstrong Barber Shop, Armstrong & Parman Barbers, Armstrong Barber/Anderson Loan, Oelwein City Laundry, Ireland’s Music, Heege’s, S. Marquette Furniture |
| 107 | Chuong Garden, Trading Post, Kirkendall Swap Shop, Ong Upholstery, Dairy Queen, Orris Gas & Appliance, Home Bakery, Independence Baking Co., O. Marquette Furniture, Limbert Bros. Tobacco |
| 105 | Chuong Garden, Life’s Antiques, Tim-A-Tees, Dad’s Place, Beaver’s Back Door, Riverview Tavern, Uncle Ray’s Tavern, Kemmerers Tavern, Torn down, Grundy’s Heating & Plumbing, Birchard’s Barber Shop, Stoneman Photography, Duck Lane Bowling, Billiard Parlor |
SOUTH SIDE NOTES
Wapsipinicon River legend = Wapsie/young Indian brave. Pinicon/beautiful Indian maiden.
Children of the same race but of different tribes. As fate willed it, they met, perhaps by chance, fell violently in love & suffered the consequence. Strong objections on both sides. Were caught together, ran in desperate flight. When they reached the river’s bank the pursing chief were just behind them. The devoted lovers clasped in each other’s arms and plunged into the stream.
Early flooding = in the 1860’s Main Street flooded rather frequently. The City Fathers decided to have the street raised 6 feet to help with the spring flooding. Many of these early businesses first floor door then became their basement. In the basements along this section you still can see where the original windows and doors were bricked in. Some left a void where you still can walk out underneath the front sidewalk. Such is the case at Signs & More (119 1st St. E) with prior approval you may tour this area.
Bridge = the current cement bridge was completed in 1917 at a cost of $43,682.09. It was re-dedicated in 1986.
Small building on pillars = this was a small building on pillars and was torn down during the updating of the bridge. Formerly housed Grundy’s Htg. & Plumbing, Birchard’s Barber Shop and Stoneman Photography.
Early downtown fires = the second fire (and the worst) was May 25, 1874. Taking the block across the street, this block up to Montour House (now Security Bank) and the back side of this block – also including the small church. So this entire block was REBUILT in a uniform way in late 1874-5. Some local brick was used.
Franks’s Clothing
People’s Natl. Bank – the façade of this building was removed and the pillars were then used on the Security Bank building up the street.
Dannenbrink’s Clothing
Plane’s Hardware – was Signs & More building listed on Natl. Reg. Of His. Places. May tour basement area with prior permission.
Baum’s Clothing – was Connie’s Hallmark building listed on Natl. Reg. Of His. Places
Holzer’s – was Wilson Photography and now is Plush Salon
Gamble’s – now Eschen Clothing
Grahams – now Quilter’s Quarters
Tegen’s 5-10 where most children spent time wishing and spending their change.
Book store and “blackboard” – originally the country school children purchased their books from here. It still stands today with people checking the “board” to see who has passed away.
Home Bakery – locally owned much loved by their cookies, cakes, pies etc. Also made wedding cakes and special occasion cakes.
Security State Bank – has taken over some of the buildings in their remodeling from time to time.
Bickenbach’s Hat Shop
O’Brien Clothing “Leo O’Brien – the Old Reliable”
To continue the tour – please cross the street to meet with another tour guide and continue back down the north side of street to the bridge.
Attached Images