See picture
of Main Street, about 1915, added on April 27, 2000.
1. A brief account of the origins of our fair community known as Coon Rapids, in Carroll Co, IA, USA. Other information will be added on a regular basis.
2. The Coon Rapids Bayard (Iowa) School Alumni Search Page where we have listed all the classes to graduate since 1888. We will add the earlier Bayard classes, as they become available. ALSO, check there for CLASS REUNION information. Enjoy!
3. We are building a list of Coon Rapids, IA, businesses in different
years though our history. We have begun with 1886.
We have recently added 1917, from the first high
school yearbook, the sponsors listed. Other years will be added as information
becomes available. See picture
of Main Street, about 1915, added on April 27, 2000.
4. If you have read this far, you are probably interested in the people of Coon Rapids and their history. The Carroll Co GenWeb Site is also a good place to learn more and to share genealogical information related to the Coon Rapids area. As new section has be added on Local Histories of all the nearby communities as werll. See the Message Board which provides an electronic information exchange service free to all interested parties, relative to queries, biographies, obituaries, etc. of people in and around the area.
5. We ask that you send us a note with your comments and suggestions. Thank you! ;-)
Your lovable masked friend, 
(My name is Bandit, I'll be your guide - see my owner here)
Brief account of the origins of Coon Rapids, Union township, Carroll county, Iowa:
The original town of Coon Rapids was, next to Carrollton, the first town in the county. It was not known by that name, but there was a sort of frontier outpost at that point, on the route from Des Moines, Panora, Sioux City and points farther northwest [1].
The land was first taken up by one O.J. Niles, a peculiar character, who attracted the attention of the early pioneers. He was elected justice of the peace and was an important individual in the transaction of business for his neighbors [1]. It is related that a man named Tuttle, of Tuttle's Grove, felt a grievance over a horse trade he had made with Samuel Wilson, and stated the details of the transaction to 'Squire Niles. The 'suire listened patiently, and at the close advised Mr. Tuttle that the law in the case was so complicated that he couldn't obtain justice. Some suspicious persons, always inquiring as to the relations of cause to effect, remarked that Wilson was a splendid shot, and Miles was very fond of venison [2].
O.J. Niles enter the land on which Coon Rapids stands, in Union Township, in 1855. Mr. Niles was from Western Michigan, and probably of Yankee birth [2]. He lived in a 16 x 36 log house [2], the site of the present funeral home [3]. (The centennial report says: The earliest record of any settlement is in 1854; one of the earliest in Carroll County. In 1853, Obediah Niles, a Yankee by birth, came from Michigan. He purchased 200 acres of land from the government and the tract included almost all of the present town site [3].) His (Obedian Niles) nearest neighbors were at Tuttle's Grove where Mr. Charles Cretsinger now lives [3].
The nearest railroad was at Des Moines [3]. A mail route was established in 1858 between Panora and Sioux City, with intermediate offices at Carrollton and Denison [2].
The earliest record of a 4th of July gathering was in 1859 at Tuttle's Grove. Lawson Mingus stood barefooted at the foot of a huge oak and read the Declaration of Independence. That evening, a dance was held at Sammy Wilson's on Brushy Creek and many danced barefooted. It is recorded that people from the little hamlet of Coon Rapids attended the event [3].
In 1861, he (O.J. Niles) sold a few acres of his land to a man by the name of Winfred who started to improve the mill site, on Middle Coon [1]. The settlers were so enthusiastic over the prospect of a mill in their vicinity that they held their Fourth of July celebration that year on the proposed mill-site [2].
In 1863 Crockett Ribble, County Treasurer, bought the site and commensed to improve it, with financial assistance from the county. A Mr. Frizzell set up a store to supply the men with tobacco and other "necessaries," and John J. McCollum started a blacksmith shop [2].
Jacob Cretsinger lived on Wilson Hill, east of the mill. He carried mail from Panora to Sioux City on horseback. Anxious to have a mail station nearer his home, he petitioned the government for a post office for Coon Rapids and suggested the name [3].
William Minnich bought the land in 1865 and laid out a town, and built the house (where William Schnepps now lives - in 1887), to rent as a store [2]. The first occupant was Shoemaker & Endicott [2].
But the old town did not prosper, and when the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad built through, in 1882, there were but few families there. The Western Town Lot Company then laid out the new town, along side the railroad, a mile or so west from the old site, and newcomers were numerous and the town grew rapidly [1].
The Coon Rapids Bank was opened in June, 1882, by Lyons & Cooney [2]. The City Bank was established in the autumn of 1882, by H.L. Miller & Co., the present proprietors (1887) [2].
The first graded school building was put up in 1883 [2].
In the Enterprise of 1883 is the earliest printed record of a 4th of July celebration. A brass band of 12 instruments was organized for the event. The program was as follows: National salute of 107 guns at sunrise. Prayer by the Chaplain. Reading of the Declaration of Independence. Address of State Senator from Panora. Music by the brass band. Vocal Selection. Basket dinner followed by toasts and responses. There were races, baseball and other amusements. In the evening following supper, the program consisted of music by the band, fireworks and dancing [3].
Coon Rapids was incorporated in 1884, the result of an election held December 19, 1882 [2]. Officers were elected in January following, and J.H. Louthan was the first mayor. The officers for 1886-1887 were: Mayor, T.C. Reid; Recorder, D.M. Grove; Councilmen, A.R. Harfield, C.E. Morris, B.H. Shute; H.L. Miller, Henry Wallace and I.L. Dermond; Treasurer, J.H. Louthan; Assessor, Theophilus George; Marshal, James Mulford; Street Commissioner, Geroge Miller [2].
In 1885, the population of the town was 729 [1].
The following firms are in business at Coon Rapids in December, 1886:
Sources:
E. & W. Garst, Pioneer Store (Comments: In this First High School Annual we wish to congratulate you, the Students of Coon Rapids High School, for the progress you are making. Your school is a better school, you students are better men and women than ever before. It is natural that your school should progress. In the forty-eight years this store has been in business it also has progressed. We have always tried to cater to the student trade. We want you to be our future customers. We will try to win your trade by fair dealing and good merchandise.)
Davenport's Variety Store (Comments: Where every transaction gives lasting satisfaction)
Smith and Morgan Clothiers
The Royer Drug Company (Comments: Pure Drugs, Toilet Articles, Paints, Oils, Etc.; Exclusive Agency for The New Edison Diamond Disc Phonographss: Drop in for an Ice Cream Soda, Sundae or Malted Milk and hear some music recreated by this wonderful instrument)
Jensen's Creamery: Jens Jensen (Comments: Will support our home school, churches and twon. We ask you, who have produce to sell, to support your home creamery)
W.J. Kerwin Hardware: Tin-Shop Repairing
The Red Cross Pharmacy: The Rexall Store, Fred W. Stevenson, Proprietor
J.E. Tucker, Jeweler and Optician, est. 1882
Tom Attebury, for Haircuts, Shaves, Baths, Etc.
I. N. Weaver, Popcorn and Peanuts
Geo. D. Scott, Dry Goods, Ready-to-Wear Garments, Shoes and Groceries
Johnston's Garage: Food, Supplies, Filling Station
A. C. Taylor & Co. Hardware: Tinware, Stoves, Pumps, Windmills, Wagons, Buggies; Gasoline Engines
J. L. Raygor General Merchandise: The Cash Store
Coon Rapids Lumber Company, M. B. Keister, Proprietor
Attend The Lyric, Where you can always see the Best in Movies
Ideal Bakery
L. B. Williams, Manufacturer of Concrete Tile and Builder of Corn Cribs, Silos and Water Tanks; Dealer in Sand, Gravel and Cement
Basement Barber Shop, Allender & Godown: Shine and Bath, Strictly Sanitary
Quality Groceries, The White Front Grocery, Textor Bros, Props.: Service Satisfaction
C. E. Wolfe, Physician and Surgeon
Diamond Hotel, Lige Diamond, Prop.: Let Us Help You Plan and Serve Your Banquets
City Dray Line, Cory Bros.: All Kinds of Delivering
Joyce Lumber Co.: The Wise Builder Picks material that's easy to work
C. F. Caswell, Wall Paper, Paint, Glass, Picture Framing
Jones Auto and Supply Co: Studebaker and Chevrolet Motor Cars; Goodyear, Fisk and Michelin Tubes and Tires
W. H. Brammer, Dealer in Farm Implements, Wagons, Buggies, Washing Machines, gas Engines, Cream Separators
S. F. Border, Real Estate, Loans and Insurance; Local Distributor for Hawkeye Tires and Tubes; Exchanges a Specialty, Collections, Write for List
M. M. Cooney, Law, Loans, Insurance
The Enterprise, S. D. Henry, Editor, est. 1882, circulation 1,200
Grahan Brothers (Art and Lou): Furniture, Rugs, Undertaking: We Deliver the Goods
First National Bank: Capital and Surplus $50,000.00; Safety Deposit Boxes for Rent
The Daylight Store, Fred S. Davis, "Enough Said!"
C. C. Browning, Lawyer
J. D. Rippey: Select your Hereford Cattle here
Jos. Patterson, Photographer
Iowa Railway and Light Company
Iowa Savings Bank of Coon Rapids, Iowa (Officers: Warren Garst, President; F. C. Jones, Vice President; Jno. W. Smith, Cashier; C. B. Bowman, Asst. Cash.; Directors: Warren Garst, F. C. Jones, W. H. Pingrey, Jno. W. Smith, C. B. Bowman)
and some out of town sponsors:
Campbell-Johnson Printing Company, Des Moines, IA
Bureau of Engraving, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
The Osgood Supply Company, Des Moines, IA
Nebraska Blaugas Co, Omaha, NE
Smith System Heating Company, Minneapolis, MN
Metropolitan Supply Company, the Complete School Furnishers, Anamosa, IA
The Wingate Company, Des Moines, IA: Rents Costumes for Class Plays; Also Caps and Gowns for Commentment
Created June 30, 1997; last updated January 11, 2004; direct comments
to Bill Smith.
Click for comments for the Editor
of the Coon Rapids Enterprise.
