Humboldt County
Historical Association
PO Box 162
Humboldt, Iowa
50548
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DAKOTA CITY
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Beaver Township Plat Map 1896
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Dakota City:
Humboldt County's First
Settlement
A Storied History
Pat Baker
Excerpts from articles in The Humboldt Independent,
August 7, 14,
and 21, 2008
Early Settlement
Edward McKnight was a native of Pennsylvania who came to Humboldt County
in 1854 when he was 19 years old. A rich man's son with a good
education, he spent the summer trading with the Dakota Indians at
McKnight's Point in Wacousta Township. He bought the land and revisited
it from time to time (see photo). The name "Dakota" is the tribal name
of the eastern bands of Plains People now known as the Sioux, the
western bands calling themselves Lakotas. The name "Sioux" is not an
Indian, but a French word.
In September of 1854, McKnight greeted Charles Bergk, Christian Hackman,
and August Zahlten in Dakota. They each made claims on parts of Section
6, Dakota Township. However it was traded, McKnight ended up with the
town site.
Early settlers were discouraged at first by Humboldt County's many small
lakes and marshes. This hilltop site seemed to be a very good location
for a town: high and dry, with plenty of trees.
Charles Bergk was a native of Saxony, Germany. Born about 1825, he was a
student in Berlin in 1848 when the revolution began. He left Berlin and
was a volunteer in the Schleswig-Holstein army for 2-1/2 years. He
immigrated to this country in 1851, locating at Pella. He stayed there
until 1854 when, finding the Hollanders were exclusive, the three
Germans came to Humboldt County. He was 29 years old.
According to history books, during the hard winter of 1854-55 Bergk,
Hackman and Zahlten stayed in a dugout cave in the ravine below where
Dakota City now stands. They ate hearty meals of cracked corn and wild
game, with coffee made from acorns.
Not wanting to live in a cave, McKnight built a cabin in section 24
Corinth Township with Newton Dowling. They lived there until the severe
cold weather set in, then moved to Ft. Dodge. He returned to Dakota in
the spring.
Zahlten and Hackman soon
moved to Kossuth County, selling their shares of Section 6 to Bergk. Ed
McKnight laid out the town site of Dakota City in 1855. It was surveyed
by William Safford. Isaiah Van Metre reported: "I am informed by one of
the chain carriers that a large quantity of whiskey and molasses was
consumed in laying it out, the weather being warm, and the mosquitoes
more numerous than an army of grasshoppers on a raid."
McKnight could not file the plat with Humboldt County in 1855 as
Humboldt County did not exist then. He waited until 1858, after the
county was organized.
The original city plat looks different from today's plat. There were 84
blocks of 10 lots each. A public square was formed in the center of the
intersections of (now) 1st Avenue and 5th Street South. These streets,
named Broadway and Main, were wider, showing they were the principal
avenues.
Wahkonsa Park, 3 blocks long and 1-1/2 blocks wide, was on the western
edge of the town, overlooking (now) Humboldt. Main Street (now) was
called Mill Street, but it was not subdivided into smaller retail lots.
Later it joined Humboldt's Sumner Avenue and some retail lots were
created along the street.
According to the 1884 county history, "the first log building in Dakota
was erected in 1855 by Harlow Miner, William Miller, B. W. Trellinger and
J. and F. Johnson. Miller used it as a residence."
It is important to know that this log cabin was built in Dakota
Township, not Dakota City, and it was more likely 1853 or 1854. Miller's
place, near the forks of the East and West Des Moines Rivers, was later
called Glen Farm. The log cabin standing below the A. W. McFarland
property in the ravine may have been hauled from Glen Farm after Miller
moved away in 1858. It was used as a stable in 1884.
DAKOTA CITY MILL
McKnight set up a steam saw mill near Dakota City in 1855 on the East
Fork of the Des Moines River. To do this, he had to purchase the
equipment, haul it to the site, and know how to construct and run a
sawmill. The native lumber (oak, basswood and walnut) sawn at the mill
was used to build many of the first buildings in Dakota City. No small
accomplishment.
A typical cabin was 14 x 16 feet on the ground, with 10 feet of
studding, made of native lumber and covered with split shingles fastened
to ribs or narrow boards. The stagecoach house (22 - 6th Street South)
and hotel had a second story.
McKnight's mill passed into the hands of Charles Bergk with the other
property of McKnight in 1859. A bridge over the East Fork of the Des
Moines River was erected in 1860. The bridge washed out during the
spring flood in 1867 and was rebuilt the next year. In 1871, a
substantial iron bridge was constructed.
Country roads were soft and muddy in April 1875. W. H. Locke and his son,
Walter, took advantage of the east fork of the Des Moines River to float
a fleet of rafts carrying lumber from the Algona railroad yards. They
arrived in Dakota City in 19-1/2 hours. The Lockes often transported
lumber this way when the water was high enough.
C. H. Brown, who came to Dakota City in 1866, took over the mill in 1879,
converting the saw mill to grain processing. Because of the arrival of
the railroad to Dakota City in 1879, good quality lumber was available
and they no longer needed to rely on local timber. The mill farmhouse
(now museum) was completed that year.
In 1890, the mill was re-built, (see photo). From the Humboldt
Independent July 31, 1890, "The old Dakota City mill is now entirely
dismantled and is entitled to be listed among the things that have
passed away."
"The new mill is built upon a solid stone bank high above the reach of
the wildest of the raging waters, is a fine structure and a credit to
the enterprising firm who have built it. A new flume will be put in the
old place and a wheelhouse will cover one of the latest and best water
wheels made, which will be connected with the basement of the mill by a
line of shafting that will carry some of the finest mill machinery in
the west. We heartily wish the firm of C.H. Brown & Sons the largest
success."
The mill was in the Brown family for about 50 years. The dam and
gristmill brought many farmers to the area. However, cheaper flour from
the Minneapolis mills was available to local consumers by train. Wheat
farming gave way to livestock, and the railroads provided necessary
transportation, so in time, the small mills were phased out.
The Dakota City dam was the last dam in Iowa to furnish waterpower for a
mill in operation. In June 1943, the dam went out during a flood, and
the July of that same year the mill burned down.
FIRST SETTLERS
Newcomers, William Cragg and Charles Adelsberger, settled in Dakota City
in May of 1855. In 1856, new arrivals were Walter Thomas, G.L. Hess,
Henry Foster, Mr. Boswick, Patrick Sheridan, Egbert Hulbert and D.F.
Howell.
At the time of the 1856 census, the James M. Kelly family, Ed McKnight
and Charles Bergk were living in the Dakota City Hotel along with hotel
owners, the Albert B. and Washington Clark families. Located at 22 - 6th
St. South, it was 16x20 feet, with a 12x14 lean-to. Like other hotels of
the time, it was two stories high, and had few partitions. Beds placed
in a row accommodated the weary travelers. That was where the stagecoach
stopped. Present owners say the hotel was built of "green wood" that
bowed.
Washington and Jane Clarke became the parents of the first child born in
Dakota City in 1857. They named her Dakota. The Clarkes were succeeded
as hoteliers by Alexander McLean in 1857, who was followed by B.
Chauvet. While it was in his hands, the hotel burned to the ground. They
soon rebuilt it, with more partitions, and some of Taft's colony stayed
there in 1863. Later, Capt. William H. Locke managed it.
Living in Dakota Township at census time 1856 was the C.C. Dewing family
of seven, with surveyor W.S. Bradford who was boarding there. Andrew
Schaeffer and his mother, Hannah, lived together. C.S. Davison, W.W.C.
Miller, and A.C.S. Winter, farmers from New Jersey, had their separate
place. Whether they were single or had families back East, no one knows.
The William Miller family of 11 was listed at the forks of the river
(Glen Farm) in the 1856 census of Dakota Township. Living together in
the James Porter household were John and Jane Johnston and their son
John, Jr.; John McKitrick; John Means; John Farney and Robert McCauley.
Alexander McLean lived by himself.
The first post office in Humboldt County was established in Dakota City
in 1856. Charles Bergk was commissioned Postmaster. He carried the mail
in his pocket and delivered letters personally, if not promptly.
Sometimes it took a while for letters to reach those in outlying parts
of the county. Folks back home waited anxiously for word from settlers,
wanting to know if they were well, or if they received the money, land
documents and goods sent.
As Humboldt County did not exist in 1855-56, mail was often sent to
"Webster County," "above Dakotah," "Kossuth County," or "Lott's Creek."
In 1857, Eber Stone had his own post office in his log cabin in Humboldt
Township. It was appropriately named "Eber." Other post offices were
soon established, but for the first few years mail service was not
dependable. Things got lost.
Religious services were provided to Dakota City residents in 1856 by the
Rev. Chauncey Taylor and the Rev. L. David McComb of Kossuth County, who
each visited twice. A Methodist circuit rider, Rev. Lawton of Fort
Dodge, led worship in 1857. In 1858, a union Sunday school was
organized.
HUMBOLDT COUNTY SEAT
Humboldt officially became a county on Jan. 28, 1857. State
Commissioners W.C. Stafford and Asa C. Call were instructed "to meet on
the second day of March 1857 at the house of Edward McKnight and proceed
to locate the seat of justice (county seat) as near the geographical
center of the county as convenient." Dakota City was chosen the county
seat because at that time it was supposed the lower townships of
Humboldt County would be restored.
Edward McKnight bitterly disputed claims made by the wily John Duncombe
of Fort Dodge that Webster County was entitled to hold onto the lower
tier of Humboldt County's original townships. Some say McKnight was
tricked into "loaning" these townships to Webster County so Fort Dodge
could become county seat. No record was made of this "deal," therefore
no proof exists, one way or another.
Duncombe's political connections enabled a law to be passed to set the
county boundaries where they were in 1856. McKnight lost the legal
battle, which had been appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court. As a result
Humboldt County has only 12 townships.
New settlers S.S. Booth, William Blythe, a Mr. McDougal and Gilbert
Forest came to Dakota City in 1857. W. Calvin Beer was another new man
in town. He gave the oration at the 4th of July celebration in Dakota
City. On that occasion, the Rev. John Sheridan of New York City, NY,
brother of Patrick Sheridan, was chaplain. Patrick soon moved to Rutland
Township.
A town hall was built by McKnight in 1857, on the SW corner of (now) 1st
Avenue and 3rd Street South. During the July 4, 1857, celebration,
bowers of branches were erected about the town hall and a substantial
dinner spread. Dancing followed.
The town hall was used for official meetings, as a gathering place by
the locals, and for mass by the Roman Catholics. When the Rev. S.H. Taft
came to the area, he used it as his first place of worship.
Also on July 4, 1857, the county was officially organized and officers
were nominated for the ensuing election. Under laws of the state at that
time, the local government was vested in the county court, which
consisted of a judge, clerk, and sheriff. The newly elected officers
soon appointed an assessor so taxes could be collected.
The first store building in Dakota City was erected by Edward McKnight
in 1857, built with native lumber from his sawmill. The firm Burchard &
Kinsman operated the general merchandise store, but for them like many
others that depression year, the business failed and the men left the
country. John E. Cragg operated the general store in 1858, Samuel
Goodyear beginning in 1866, and George L. Cruikshank from 1868 to 1875.
He was followed by J.M. Youngling and B. Chauvet.
McKNIGHT SELLS TO BERGK
In June 1858, McKnight filed the city plat for record in the county's
books. On March 10, 1859, McKnight sold the town site of Dakota City,
all 312.13 acres, first to John L. Cragg, then to Charles Bergk for
$3,000.
Bergk had been serving as deputy to Humboldt County Treasurer and
Recorder Alexander McLean since 1857, and was elected to these posts in
1859. Bergk continued to sell town lots to those wanting to build homes
or speculate.
The first issue of the Humboldt County Independent was dated Aug. 2,
1860. The equipment to print the newspaper was brought by ox team from
Fort Dodge by A.S. White and editor Charles Bergk. It was discontinued
after the first issue "for want of patronage." The newspaper began again
July 3, 1868, under the leadership of Bergk and M.D. Williams.
The population of the whole Dakota Township was 128 in the 1860 census,
including a painter, carpenter, blacksmith, clerk, teacher, two-day
laborers and 31 farmers. The rest were women and children. They were not
all bachelors.
Edward McKnight described his occupation in the 1860 census as
"gentleman." One woman remarked, "McKnight received a fine education and
possessing a rather romantic turn of mind, became enamored of the stage.
This not suiting the taste of his pious parents, who would rather he had
chosen the pulpit, it was arranged for him to go west, and he chose
Dakota."
"Later, while taking a party of visitors around, one of our group asked
for a recitation from Shakespeare. After much persuasion he consented,
and they were charmed with choice selections, admirably recited, from
Othello, Hamlet, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and other noted plays. How
strange it seemed to listen to the same words on the wild prairie, which
have so often charmed me within the frescoed walls of Metropolitan
theatres."
McKnight won election in 1863 for the 58th District of the Iowa House of
Representatives, serving both Humboldt and Kossuth Counties. During the
Civil War he was a Lieutenant in Company A, Northern Border Brigade,
defending the settlers from Indian attack. There he demonstrated not
only his leadership skills, but also his sense of humor.
Edward McKnight left Dakota City in 1867 and lived about 30 years in
Fairfield, IA, alongside other McKnights. He died back home in
Pittsburgh, PA, in 1903. In his death notice, The Humboldt Republican
dismissed him as "an eccentric character" that "was here in an early
day." McKnight was so much more: he was the founder of Dakota City.
DAKOTA CITY, 1862
In 1862, A.D., Bicknell came to Humboldt County and Dakota City for the
first time. He reported that there were only a few small buildings in
the town. Being from New York State, he remarked that none of the
buildings had a chimney. This was because the buildings were heated with
stoves, with stovepipes.
Bicknell was surprised to find that Charles Bergk had a piano in the
bedroom of his small house/office. His genial host played the piano and
sang for his new visitor. Charles Bergk married schoolteacher Maggie
Cruikshank on July 4, 1864. They built a fine home northeast of the
public square and became parents of three children.
At first, supplies had to be hauled from Dubuque. By 1863, ordinary
goods could be purchased at Fort Dodge. Their food was of a frugal kind
yet was sufficient to keep them in good health and working condition.
Lumber was harder to get.
The first pine building in Dakota City was a schoolhouse. The pine
lumber had to be hauled by wagon from the end of the rail line in Cedar
Falls, sometime after 1861. The Civil War halted construction on that
rail line until 1865. On another railroad, supplies could be obtained
from Nevada, IA, in 1864, and matters gradually improved.
The pine school was located on the NW corner of (now) 1st Ave and 4th
Street South. Eber Stone reported to the Iowa Agricultural Society that
the first brick building was completed in the county in 1865. It could
have been used on the school. "The brick and lime used were both of home
manufacture and very good quality." The clay for the brick came from the
west slope of the Dakota City hill. Bellows had the lime works.
After the red brick two-story school was built in 1881, the original
school building was used for worship by the Zion Evangelical Church of
North America, who enlarged it. The brick was later covered with stucco.
In March 1866, a group of men gathered around the pot-bellied stove in
the lobby of Capt. W. H. Locke's hotel in Dakota City. They knew that
newcomer A.M. Adams was a Mason. They decided to organize a lodge. With
a membership of 14, they received their charter in 1867 and met in
upstairs rooms with rent $75 per year. Masonry has been the fraternal
home of many of Dakota City and Humboldt's prominent citizens.
Dakota City fights for
county seat status
Early buildings built from Dakota City bricks
.
In 1862-1865, the first settlers of Humboldt (called Springvale then)
came through Dakota City from Upper New York State. They looked down
their noses at the small collection of buildings that made up the county
seat. The Rev. S.H. Taft and his colony of believers knew they could
build a larger, more attractive village a mile to the west, and they
did.
Jokes about Dakota being called a "City" reverberated among the new
settlers who chose the Springvale location. These newcomers did not know
Dakota City was named "City" to differentiate it from Dakota Township.
It was originally "Dakota," (see map). To clear up the confusion, Dakota
Township was re-named Beaver Township 15 years later, but the ridicule
lingered.
The location of the county seat in pioneer days was vital. Settlers knew
what happened to Homer and Old Rolfe after Fort Dodge and Pocahontas
were chosen county seats. When Humboldt County was first settled in
1854, Dakota City was located in the geographic center. They were the
designated county seat. Then the county lost the lower tier of
townships. Dakota City hung on tenaciously.
The first effort to move the county seat away from Dakota City was made
in June 1862. Settlers living north in Humboldt Township petitioned to
have it moved to just north of Arnold, as that was the new geographic
center of the shortened county. It failed.
Attempts to have a courthouse built in Dakota City in 1862 also failed,
as citizens making up the Board of Supervisors disagreed among
themselves. It was cheaper to store the county records in their offices
and homes and wait and see what would happen.
Springvale, naturally, thought they should be the county seat. One of
Taft's first proposals was to consolidate the two towns. Rev. Taft's
proposition was that if they would all agree that the whole plat between
the two branches of the river were one, he would give Dakota one-third
interest in his town.
Taft even suggested the name remain Dakota, but in view of his feelings
about wanting to start an independent community, this seemed unlikely to
the folks in Dakota City. Rev. Taft said this was to prevent rivalry.
Charles Bergk went along with that.
In McKnight's view, this would be giving up Dakota City's status as
county seat. They were the older town and had been designated as the
seat of government. He and many others were determined to keep it.
McKnight, having been tricked by John Duncombe into giving up the lower
tier of Humboldt County townships, was not about to be fooled again.
Much bitterness resulted. No opportunity was missed by Springvale
residents to pull the rug out from under Dakota City. Dakota City
leaders fought back, whether the issue was erecting a bridge in
Springvale, locating a road from Taft's mill north to Lott's Creek, or
getting the Springvale town plat approved. It was not pretty. The Board
of Supervisors, made up of men from each township, often took sides with
Dakota City.
Major William Williams of Fort Dodge visited the area in January 1867
and reported that 15 or 16 new houses and a neat brick school house were
built in Dakota City the previous year. He guessed that town's
population was about 100 persons. Mr. Taft reported that Springvale was
larger, 137.
Williams teased the few bachelors left in Dakota City, saying they
should marry so the town could catch up with Springvale. This gave the
folks in Springvale an opportunity to mock Dakota City for being
bachelors, not families. Looking at census records, we know this was not
so, but the label stuck and the story was repeated over and over again.
Dakota City was not much different from other frontier towns in Iowa. It
was Springvale, with its 12 large families from Rev. Taft's colony,
which was unusual.
In 1870, Isaiah Van Metre, a 32-year-old lawyer and conservative
Democrat, bought the Humboldt County Independent. He was its editor
until 1874, when he sold the newspaper to Albert M. Adams. Al pledged to
report more local news and built the Independent Newspaper Office at
(now) 306 Main Street (Photo). One of Van Metre's stories was about a
murder:
The earliest murder committed in the county (except those by Henry Lott)
was that of William James by a man named McCormick. In December 1867
James had just returned from Europe and was carrying a legacy left him
by a relative. He and McCormick went to Fort Dodge and were returning
home.
The crime was committed about three miles east of Dakota City on the
Bellows and Fort Dodge Road. McCormick beat James' brains out with a bed
slat, took $670, a $5,000 insurance policy, turned the horses loose, and
left the corpse lying by the road.
McCormick walked over to Dakota City, got the mail for the family where
he boarded, and went home as though nothing had happened. He was
arrested that night while in bed by A.W. McFarland, James T. Sinclair
and F. West. The men took him to Dakota City and placed him in the most
secure place in town, the bar room of the hotel.
Ed Snook and others were his guards. Afraid that McCormick might be
taken out and hung at once, Snook placed himself at the door and cooled
the mob. A preliminary examination was held the next day before Justice
of the Peace William H. Locke.
The prisoner was bound over to appear at the next term of District
Court, where he was indicted for murder, convicted by a jury of his
peers, and sentenced by Judge Henry Ford on the 14th of August 1868 to
be hung by the neck until dead. On appeal to the Supreme Court his
sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in the penitentiary.
Courthouse
In 1872, in an effort to compromise on the county seat location,
Springvale voted to have the combined town re-named Humboldt. Dakota
City did not agree to this. The Board of Supervisors, seeing that Dakota
City would remain the county seat, voted to build the courthouse on the
Dakota City hill overlooking both towns. In 1873, William Thompson
erected the red brick courthouse for $5,000, (see photo).
It cost more, so C.H. Brown paid the extra $500. This first courthouse
was expanded in 1886 when a two-story addition was built on the north
side, and a brick vault for storage of county records was later built on
the west side. In 1889, the brick jail, and in 1892, a wood frame
sheriff's house were constructed.
In the next years, the Methodist Church, hotel, the mill farm house
(museum), the red brick school, and downtown stores were made of Dakota
City bricks. Clay was dug from several places. The lime works of Dakota
City was opened by W.J. Smith in 1879, with the brickyard east of the
courthouse. His three-story brick mansion (near where the north plant of
Chantland Mfg. is now located) was built in 1884, and torn down in 1973.
In 1881, the red brick school was built on the town square, located at
the intersection of (now) 1st Avenue and 5th Street South. It was
"graded." Like most schools of the time, only eight grades were taught.
Dakota City had a two-room school, with the lower grades downstairs,
upper grades upstairs, (see photo).
Freeman and Mott came to Dakota City shortly after the civil war and
erected a new building for a general store. They were succeeded by W.J.
Smith who ran the store until 1873. In 1874, it was occupied by C.H.
Brown and Sons.
A saloon was started in 1870 by Mal Newman, which he ran for several
years. He was succeeded by Gaylord Griswold, Benjamin Franklin, and D.R.
Bowers. A saloon and billiard hall was initiated by Fred Meade in the
Dolph building in 1880.
In 1872, a large brick hotel was erected by Dr. D.P. Russell on the SE
corner of (now) Main and 5th Street. Two stories high, it measured 30x60
feet with an "L" 16x20 feet, and a livery. It held a restaurant, 22
large guest rooms, sample rooms and an office. Mr. M. Burgit was
proprietor of Dakota House for many years. It was saved from burning in
1876 by alert neighbors, was still there in 1896, but was removed by
1910.
Troubles
in 1873, the banks in the East failed, creating a financial panic.
Grasshoppers attacked crops in the fields. Several local farmers and
businesses had to sell out. In 1874, Charles Bergk, County Treasurer,
defaulted. The county was $17,600 short, the schools $2,000 short. His
county records were filled with errors, and Bergk had no money.
The Humboldt Kosmos responded with outrage. "All defaulters are guilty
of a great crime against the people...There is no excuse for the crime."
Later they softened their response, noting Bergk did not do it for
personal gain. "Mr. Bergk's liberality and accommodating disposition
were the chief causes of his downfall."
To settle things, Bergk apologized and gave all the land that he owned,
which was considerable, to the county. He moved to California. Because
much of Dakota City became public property, the lawyers and county
officials had to sort it all out. His bondsmen were responsible for
reimbursing the county for Bergk's debt. They were Messers. Snook, Hunt,
Dumfry, Ketman and Hack. Bergk paid them back later.
The next year the Rev. S.H. Taft was in trouble. He had been in New
England, getting money for Humboldt College by selling his lands in the
City of Humboldt to contributors. His enemies in Dakota City and
Humboldt wrote news stories that donors in the East read. These stories
said he overvalued Humboldt real estate and did not keep a good set of
books. Taft was called a fraud, a liar and a Unitarian. He explained,
but it was too late. Sadly, contributions dried up.
Rivalry between the towns caused the fiscal problems of the college to
come to light; but the college's poor financial base and the panic of
1873 were ultimately responsible for its demise. Grinding to a slow
stop, the college closed its doors in 1881. It re-opened in 1895 as a
business, agriculture and teacher-training school. It served well until
again closing in 1915, as local high schools were able to provide the
same courses.
County Fair
The Humboldt County Fair, beginning in 1858, was
usually held in Dakota City. One year - 1861- it was held at Hand's
Grove. In 1866, the town of Springvale attempted to re-locate the fair.
Great excitement prevailed. Each village had their partisans join the
Agricultural Society for the purpose of voting in their behalf, until
the membership swelled to nearly 300.
Just when Springvale seemed to be favored, Charles Bergk offered to
donate 15 aces of land if the fair was held in Dakota City. Further, he
would dig a well and furnish lumber enough to fence the entire tract.
This generous offer won the day for Dakota, and the annual fair was
located near what is now the north plant of the Chantland Mfg. Co.
The fairground was never fenced, and it was discovered after Mr. Bergk
left town suddenly in 1874, that the Humboldt County Agricultural
Society had never received title to the property. So in 1875 the growing
town of Humboldt offered the Agricultural Society a free tract of land
in south Humboldt along the banks of the river. The fair was held there
from 1876 to 1913. In 1875, it was held on the school grounds in
Humboldt.
1876 Address
In his July 4th 1876 Centennial celebration address, Isaiah Van Metre
gave a summary of the first two decades of Humboldt County history. He
reported that Dakota City included every kind of store necessary to meet
the needs of the people. There was one M.E. Church and parsonage, a
small Catholic chapel, a substantial brick hotel, a good brick
courthouse, and an excellent flouring and grist mill.
Downtown in Dakota City were located a dry goods and grocery store, a
store building to be occupied soon, a drug store, two blacksmiths and
one wagon-maker shop. The city also included an agricultural warehouse,
a harness shop, several carpenters, a paint shop, a lager beer and
billiard saloon, two lawyers and a general population of 150.
The people of Dakota City, he said, were a quiet, undemonstrative class.
"There is not an intemperate man in the town, and not one who drinks
anything stronger than beer as a beverage - the beer saloon, it being
the only one in the county, absorbs about 5 kegs a week which may be
regarded the beer drinking capacity of the county."
At the same time Van Metre reported that the City of Humboldt contained
over 400 people. "There were several stores of all kinds and other
business houses usual to such a village. One good mill, one good hotel,
a very respectable stone schoolhouse, two church organizations,
Congregational and Unitarian, one Congregational church edifice, a
private banking house, three physicians, three lawyers, and a town
library containing 300 volumes." The temperance sentiment was strong
enough to banish beer in Humboldt.
Van Metre continued, "Humboldt College is by far the most imposing
edifice in the county." He described how Rev. Taft systematically
planted trees along the wide streets and parks. Then he noted, "The
people possess the intelligence common to western towns but are filled
with the idea that there is no town quite equal to Humboldt and no
people quite so intelligent as Humboldt people as a class."
In June 1878, the town of Dakota City voted to incorporate. A.M. Adams
was elected mayor, an office he held until 1886. The population in 1880
was 248. In 1878, C.H. Brown's store moved to a building erected by A.B.
West. Manley Brown, one of his sons, operated the store until 1884 when
it was sold to Thompson and Thompson, who hung out the sign, "The
Farmers' Store." In 1879, G.D. Osborne and Griswold moved into the old
Youngling store. It was Osborne and Franklin, then G.D. Osborne.
The first hardware store in Dakota City was started by I.G. McMillan.
A.F. Hawkins started the jewelry store and watch business in Dakota City
in 1879, renting a portion of Cragg's drugstore to display his goods.
A.E. Bennett started the flour and feed business that was later carried
on by Allen Dolph. Handmade items were crafted by G.L. Hinds, carpenter.
Fortunately, in 1879, the towns did agree to share the Minneapolis and
St. Louis Railroad track. In jest, Van Metre suggested a name for the
railway station between Dakota and Humboldt, "in order to remove from
the boys, Fred and Al, this ground for another newspaper quarrel." He
proposed the name "Dakoboldt."
"Humboldt" signs were quickly posted on both ends of the depot. The 1979
U.S. Geological Survey map, the most accurate map available, shows that
the Minneapolis and St. Louis railroad track was in Dakota City.
According to this map, the western wall of the depot was on the Humboldt
town line. The rest of the building was in Dakota City.
The Toledo (later Chicago) and Northwestern Railway Line came through
Dakota City in December 1881. Train trips north to Minnesota, east to
Chicago and west to Montana were common. There were four passenger
trains per day. The freight trains carried livestock and the catalogue
merchandise ordered by Humboldt and Dakota City's citizens.
Going Downhill
In 1872, John Dickey with partners C.H. Brown, Sherman Beer and John
Cragg built the Humboldt County Bank in Dakota City. It was located
across Mill Street from the brand new courthouse. After the 1874
recession, Brown and the others sold their interests in the bank to E.E.
Colby, Dickey's nephew. Dickey and Colby had the attractive bank picked
up and moved to the center of downtown Humboldt.
That was the beginning of a trend that was magnified after the railroads
came. Humboldt became a boom town in 1879, thanks to the influx of
entrepreneurs and money. Suddenly the People's Bank appeared and new
influential families joined the retail scene.
By the end of 1881 there were five drug stores in Humboldt (compared to
one at the beginning of 1879), along with four lumber yards (2 in 1879),
four restaurants (none in 1879), three hotels (one in 1879), two
hardware stores (one in 1879), seven general stores (three in 1879),
four meat markets (one in 1879), four building contractors (two in 1879)
and at least 11 lawyers (three in 1879). There may have been more; these
were the ones mentioned in the newspaper.
In the same time period, Dakota City gained R.P. Furlong's general
store, a hotel and a few lawyers. Furlong moved to Livermore in 1880.
The new hotel did not last long.
In the spirit of small-town boosterism, Humboldt built itself up at the
expense of its neighbor. There was no all-seeing parent to set these
rival siblings on a better course.
Ruth Barrett, teacher and granddaughter of William Thompson who
constructed the brick courthouse, said in a speech given at the
Historical Association, "a disgruntled man with capital planned to get
'the old town' off the map."
It did not help that the original leaders of Dakota City, Ed McKnight
and Charles Bergk, were no longer on the scene to protect their
interests. John Cragg died suddenly, and George Cruikshank,
brother-in-law of Bergk, had to take over the family farm. A.W.
McFarland was running the drugstore and practicing law. William
Thompson, farming in Rutland Twp., ran for Iowa State Auditor and the
Iowa House of Representatives.
An example of Humboldt's boosterism is found in The Humboldt Kosmos,
June 21, 1882, edited by Fred H. Taft: "Few towns in Iowa have made the
advancement and growth during the last year that Humboldt has. A
stranger will say on looking the town over, "It's all new!" From a few
houses of two years ago it has grown to a flourishing city, with all
modern improvements, of 1,200 inhabitants.
"There are now thirty buildings under construction with contracts enough
out to make one hundred during the present season. Humboldt boasts of
the finest collection of private residences in the state, the houses are
two stories high, the lay of the country, the large yards, the wide
streets make the outlook that of comfort and beautiful homes..."
"Dakota City, the county seat, is one-half mile from here situated on a
hill; the courthouse is between the two towns, also the depot. The towns
will no doubt be joined together with one post office in the future.
Dakota City is not as nicely situated, as lively, or as prosperous
looking as Humboldt, but the towns joined will make one of the finest
towns in this section of the west..."
To make a long story short, things went down hill from there. During the
1880s the Masonic Lodge moved from Dakota City to Humboldt. The G.A.R.
moved from Dakota City to Humboldt. The Humboldt County Independent
office moved from Dakota City's main street to 514 Sumner Avenue in
Humboldt. Even the Hawkins Blacksmith Shop, located near the Dakota City
depot, moved to 301 Sumner Avenue.
The Methodists built a church in Humboldt in 1888. After a brief time of
sharing a pastor, the Dakota City Methodist Church closed its doors in
1895. The Baptist group that had been meeting in the Dakota City Masonic
Hall built a church in Humboldt. The Catholic congregation moved from
Dakota City to Humboldt in 1904.
Some stores and offices remained in Dakota City, but investors had
difficulty securing financing for new businesses or improvements in that
town. Those who wanted to build large Victorian homes chose Humboldt
locations.
Dakota City avoided some of the luxuries of life in Humboldt. For the
advantage of lower taxes, they accepted lower property values and the
lack of some public improvements, like curb and gutter, although water
and sewer were provided.
In 1895, the Willing Workers, a group of hard-working, dedicated ladies,
was organized in Dakota City. They agreed to support any minister in
Dakota City, regardless of denomination, and give their influence to the
support of the Union Sunday School. In 1906, they purchased the old Zion
Evangelical Church of North America building to use as a meeting place.
They sold it to the town in 1919 for use as a city hall. The current
city hall, at 26 - 5th Street South was built in 1968.
1910
The bitterest dispute between the towns was in 1910. Lawyers announced
that our county records were not safe in the old brick courthouse. They
were correct about that, documents being subject to damage from water
and mold. A new effort to move the county seat to Humboldt and issue
bonds for building a new $85,000 courthouse began.
T.W. Rogers argued that "Dakota City had no sewerage, fire protection or
police." He wrote, "In Dakota City there is no lawyer, doctor, bank,
large store or any business enterprises found in any good town... There
is no hotel or restaurant ....or stable for the farmer's team." Those
coming from out of town to transact courthouse business had to stay in
Humboldt and walk up the hill to Dakota City.
Judge D.F. Coyle commented, "No individual would think of making a large
investment in Dakota City. It would be a poor business policy for the
county to do so... Even the people of Dakota City come to Humboldt to do
most of their trading." Compare that with the description of the town on
July 4, 1876.
However, after all the votes were counted, the county seat and
courthouse remained in Dakota City. After that was settled, officials
somehow found a way to provide fire and police protection to the
courthouse. The Humboldt Electric Light and Power Company offered to
wire the courthouse and adjacent buildings for the sum of $125. Dakota
City's homes and businesses, like Humboldt's, had electricity since
1901.
There was another vote to merge the towns in 1918. Humboldt's Oliver
DeGroote speculated that joining together as a united city with a
combined population would boost values in each town and help attract
business and industry. Still, Dakota City voted 56 to 45 to stay as the
separate county seat.
The last try, in 1960, received lukewarm reception from both city
councils
Dakota City: Commerce and community, yesterday and today
Dakota
City School (now Mease elementary) was built in 1919, with classes from
Kindergarten to 10th grade. The old red brick school in the center of
the town square was converted for use by small businesses and made into
apartments. The building burned in 1937, with a fire so bright it
appeared as if all Dakota City was going up in flames.
Financing improvements in Dakota City was more difficult for Dakota City
residents than those in Humboldt. One long-time resident recalled, "We
had to pay a higher rate of interest to build in Dakota, but we wanted
to be here, near family."
Dakota City passed through WWI and the depressions of the 20s and 30s.
As Ruth Barrett reported, Dakota City began to grow. With the coming of
the automobile and Highway 10 through Mill Street (now Main Street), an
unbelievable six filling stations were going full-tilt at one time.
In 1919, the town water system was put in. The main street was paved in
1920. At the same time they made the Dakota City hill less steep. In
1925, the Willing Workers became the Park Improvement Club, equipping
the Dakota City Park with tables, play equipment, stoves, a well, and
electricity. In 1929, the group became the Worthwhile Club. Its purpose:
to remember the sick and shut-ins, provide for the needy, and conduct
campaign drives.
The old brick courthouse was still there in 1923, and in even poorer
condition. The new proposition was to build a courthouse for $225,000.
This time it would be in Dakota City. "Humboldt didn't want it," the
Humboldt Republican editorial said. Times were changing and
transportation to the courthouse was easier. But hard economic
conditions had its impact, and the issue was soundly defeated 1,715 to
485.
Improvements were made at the courthouse. Dakota City offered to connect
the town's water system to the county jail and sheriff's house. Rooms
were rented in Humboldt for the offices of County Engineer and County
Superintendent of Schools. In 1927, an office building with toilets was
built close to the courthouse, so the supervisors could meet there.
However, the 55-year-old brick building was still heated with stoves in
each room.
In 1936, the Works Projects Administration helped the citizens of
Humboldt County build a new courthouse for $185,000. A bond issue of
$95,000 was easily passed by the voters. The W.P.A., a grant and
transferred funds took care of the rest. The building, placed northeast
of the original courthouse, was ready for occupancy in 1939.
The auxiliary buildings surrounding the courthouse were removed and the
entire block was landscaped. The Humboldt County courthouse is an
imposing, three-story building, distinctive and well-constructed. Like a
sentinel it stands and keeps watch over both towns and the whole county.
Among the several gifted men and women from Dakota City was Harry
Reasoner, who was born in 1923 in a middle-class house on 1st Avenue
North, across the street north of the school. His father was Dakota City
principal, his mother a teacher, and the family did not stay long in
Dakota City, moving on to other small towns. Harry usually claimed
Humboldt, where his beloved grandparents lived, as his hometown. In
later visits, he toured Dakota City and remarked about improvements,
(see photo).
DOWNTOWN
Charles Bergk served as postmaster for 15 years, followed by Cruikshank,
then Youngling and in 1877, W.J. Smith. The post office was located in
their general stores. Here is a list of businesses on the south side of
the main street, starting from the west:
The Humboldt County Bank was built across the main street from the
courthouse in 1872. It was moved to Humboldt four years later. In the
next block east, in the 1940s, Homer Erickson ran an oil station and
Rita's very good café was next to it. Then Merlin Fort had an oil
station there. The Hughes Bakery sold great homemade rolls in the
old café. After the oil station closed, the building was used for car
repair, a car wash, an electric shop and storage. It was razed in 1989.
On the corner east in the same block (20 - 4th Street S.) is a private
home surrounded by trees. Al Adams lived at this location and built his
Humboldt County Independent newspaper office west of there (306 Main) in
1875.
Odenbrett's oil station was located at about 404 Main Street. It was
taken down in 2006. In 1896, there was a grocery store there. Ruth
Barrett remembered that about 1900 a Mr. Locke bought the grocery from
Jack Fahey. Mr. Locke moved the building to "the corner east of the Star
Ballroom," probably 409 Main Street. Eldon Collins had a small oil
station in the 400 block before Odenbrett built his building there.
Cran's Electric Shop and Dowlings Car Wash were also in this location.
East of the alley east of the Odenbrett property, there was a large
store at 404 Main Street in 1896. A single story building was there from
1912 to the1930s, used as a variety store and post office. Russell L.
Christensen says this is where Boothroyd's meat market was located in
the 1930s, operated by his grandparents. Don Sawyer bought the store in
1938 and it was used as his law office until he moved to California in
1943.
East of that was a two-story store building, shown in 1915 and 1930
maps. This was where John Brodsack's Barber Shop was. Don Sawyer
remembered, "a haircut for kids cost a quarter in 1934." A one-story
frame building was next at 406 Main in 1915. In the 1950s, Bob Naeve had
a barber shop there, followed by Irv Larson's TV and Radio.
In 1974, two new stores replaced these, built by the Naeve family. The
Fancy Pants women's clothing store was at 406. Later it was Marso's ice
cream store. The Iowa Department of Transportation Materials Lab is now
located in that building. The other building is the new post office
located at 408 Main Street.
"The McFarland Drug Store" stood for many years at the corner where the
new VFW building was built in 1978, 412 Main Street, (see photo). It was
constructed in 1872 by John T. Fockler, who had the first drugstore in
Dakota City. Dr. James C. Sprague had his office upstairs. During the
hard times of 1874, E. D. Nickson bought out Fockler's stock of drugs
and added it to his own drugstore in Humboldt.
William Cragg then took over the drugstore in Dakota City. He was not a
pharmacist, and, like Fockler, sold wine and whiskey along with the
usual drug store merchandise. Nicholas Lucas accidentally drank poisoned
wine there in December 1881 and Cragg's drugstore was sold to Osborne
and Franklin, who also had a general store.
A.W. McFarland, Dakota City's first lawyer, began the practice of law in
1864. In 1872, McFarland had his law office in "Cass' new building,"
wherever that was. In 1883, McFarland took over the troubled drugstore,
moving his law office upstairs. He was joined in the 1870s by W.H. Locke
and in the 1880s by his brother-in law, A.D. Franklin, abstractors. When
McFarland died in 1905, the complete drug store and law office sat for
years, locked up. The rickety outdoor staircase was removed a few years
later.
In 1934, Don Sawyer moved his first law office from the old courthouse
to the second floor of the McFarland Drugstore Building at 412 Main. The
post office was downstairs. When the building was being torn down in
1976, bottles of medicines and other drugstore products were still on
the shelf.
Casey's General Store is on the corner of the next block east. The Henry
Kirchhoff family home was on that corner after Dr. Russell's large brick
hotel was taken down. The Roffler Family Hair Center is located next, at
504 Main Street, then Ted Brown's old house, where Iowa Municipal
Insurance is located, 506 Main.
Ted Brown's Texaco (later City Service) station, located at 508 Main
Street, is a remarkable building. During the 1920s there was bootlegging
in the basement. Ralph Heath, George Engquist, Jane Schuchmacher, Louis
Soppeland, Fred McFarland, Wayne Miller, Louis Collins, Gordon
VanGronigan, Billy Buckingham, Merlin Fort and Ole Weiss had a hand at
running the gas station. Then it was Frank Rathke's Electric Motor Sales
and Service. Geoff Mickelsen operated his R & G Electric there, then
Kevin Skow bought the building. Pete Holt has it now, but more about
that later.
OTTO SCHULTZ
The entrance of Otto Schultz upon the scene assured Dakota City's
continued existence. In the 1920s he operated a small food stand in the
Dakota City Park and used to take lunches out to nearby farms to sell.
In 1932, Schultz had saved enough to open a garage and then a
Chrysler-Plymouth dealership, (see photo). He began buying lots on the
north side of Main Street, at $100 per lot, and built a total of seven
brick buildings. Because of Otto Schultz's investments in time and
money, Dakota City survived.
Roller Country Skating Rink is located at 403 Main Street. Otto
Schultz's auto dealership was there first. Jim and Marcia Lenning's
Sales and Service was there for a while in front, and Head Start was in
the back. Then Bill Patterson and his wife operated a ceramic shop in
the back.
In 1946, Schultz built what he wanted to be a theater. It turned out to
be the Star Ballroom, a very popular dance hall for two decades. Here
Louis Armstrong, Lawrence Welk and Stan Kenton played to enthusiastic
audiences from all over the area. A bowling alley, operated by Max
Gibson, was in the basement in the 1950s.
In 1975, the Al Hadar family bought the ballroom. The last dance was
held in 1992. Dan Dodgen ran a bar and dance hall after Al. It was also
called the Dog House. Melinda Witzke purchased the building in 1997 and
it is now her school of dance.
The building east of the ballroom is vacant now. It was Denny Doocy's
bar in the 1960s. Other bar owners included J.E. Colwell, Sal and Meg
Odenbrett, Mel Thorn, Jim and Marlene Hamilton, Lyle Taute, and Don and
Joan Jacobson. It was also a beauty shop.
Busy Bee Day Care is now located on the corner at 409 Main Street.
Locke's grocery store was there, beginning about 1900. Elmer Ulrich ran
the store for several years while Mr. Locke managed the mill. Don Sawyer
remembered, "Bill Locke's Grocery store was the big deal when I was a
kid. Everyone gathered there to talk and get the latest news from the
first radio in town."
The place became Whitmer's grocery, then Ulrich's grocery. Joan Jacobson
ran a small grocery there. Dr. Beryl Michaelson had her office in the
building. There was a beauty and barber shop there, too, as well as Carl
Lippolt's investment firm. Around the corner, on 5th Street North in
1984 was Tony's Pizza and Schwan's Sales and Service, at 28 North 5th.
Today Beebe Plumbing and Heating is there.
Don Sawyer and J.T Sawyer ran an oil station for 13 years on the corner
where Trinkets and Treasures Boutique is now located, 501 Main Street.
Gasoline was one-half cent per gallon wholesale in 1944. The station
burned in 1944. Otto Schultz soon built a corner grocery at 501 Main
Street. DeGrootes, Bowens, Dan Fowler and Craig and Bonnie Locke had
businesses there. Gerald Heim had a bar at that location, and also Jim
Hamilton, and Mac McCullough owned it. It later became Sherry Carlson's
M & M used clothing and is now T & T.
B & B Sales and Service is at 503 Main Street. There was a small post
office there in 1896, and Walt Hawkins Bakery and Hawkins Jewelry
were located in this area in 1915. For a few months in 1940 Byron
Fjetland operated Byron's Blue Front Grocery there, east of Sawyer's
station. During the war, Elmer and Zula Ulrich (Herb's parents) had
their grocery in that building,
After the war Otto Schultz built a brick building at 503 Main Street.
Russell L. Christensen remembers watching Saturday night wrestling at
Ferry's Hardware there on the first TV in downtown Dakota City. Romaine
Lee had his first hardware store there. In 1983, it was a bookstore,
then Dale's Shoe Service. It is now, B & B's, owned by Jerry and Brenda
Kramer.
The east portion of Vinny's Barbecue, 507 Main Street, was built in
1936, by Otto Schultz, the middle part, where the bar is located, is
older. The new addition to the building is on the west, where Vera
Miller's cream station used to be. Before it was Vinny's it was Gordy's,
and before that it was Carl Weigert's cafe.
The corner east of Vinny's, at 509 Main Street, was where Newbrough had
an oil station, followed by Ben Schulze, then Fred McFarland had his DX
station. Elmer Peltz owned it in the 1950s, then Gordon Laing closed it
in 1969. Frank Zigrang and D. Williams rented out the back part of the
building to mechanics. Bob Amlie's Auto Body Repair was there in 1984.
Tony Russell owns it now.
In the next block east is Kellner's Auction Service. First on that
corner was an oil station built by Otto Schultz, perhaps the re-built
J.T. Sawyer Phillips 66 station. It was sold to Robert Jacobson in 1946.
There was a lunch counter in front. Then the Supreme Bread Company
distributed bread from this place. Then it was a grocery, Bowen's Food
Market, operated by Harold DeGroote, with Walt Cody cutting meat.
Next it was remodeled into Elsie's Café. Then Rita and Henry Haas
operated the restaurant. Soon Rita's daughter, Val, made it into Val's
Café, which later became Todd's Café. Now it is Kellner's Auction
Service. Henry Haas had a feed place next to Elsie's. It was also an
apartment house owned by Kevin Skow and a Day Care Center. To the east
at 605 Main Street is a new very large building that was a beauty shop
for a short time.
Jim Gronbach Construction is located at 703 Main Street. For several
summers about in the 1950s, a roller skating rink used to be set up in a
tent east of this in the empty lot. Further east in 1984, at 707 Main
Street, Excel Printing did business.
Off-main street businesses were a Fabric store south of Pete Holt's
Station, Mrs. Skow's stained glass business, Fortner's Furniture Repair,
Oaks Garden Spot, Shadle Salvage, Patterson Service Center, Dot's Beauty
Service owned by Dorothy Robinson, Irv's TV, Barb McDonough's
pre-school, Wayne Jennings' stockyard, Marso Excavating and Martin Well
Company. Today we also have Gord's Auto Upholstery and the Richard
Cleaning Service, which are located away from Main Street.
INDUSTRY
Dakota City has been home to industries. An alfalfa feed mill was built
on the NE corner of (now) 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street South. Built of
concrete block, it has also been used for storage of honey and Dittrich
dairy equipment. In 1991, LeRoy Witzel bought the property for storage
and fixed it up.
The J.F. Miller and Sons Elevator by the Chicago and Northwestern
Railroad bought, processed and sold corn and beans. They also sold coal,
and there was a stockyard there.
Henry Hansen began his honey factory in 1939, supplying 500 55 gallon
drums of honey per season to the Sioux Honey Association for over 40
years. His apiary employed eight people and was located across the
street from the current city hall. It was torn down in 2006.
Another Dakota City industry is Gunder Manufacturing. In 1952 Paul
Silbaugh purchased the business from Everett Gunder and moved it to the
former VFW hall in Dakota City, located just west of the courthouse.
Additions were made in 1957 and 1968. The plant, known for its quality
church furniture and extended area of woodworking, employs about 25
workers.
Bob Mickey had the brick Smith mansion near 6th Avenue and 7th Street
North demolished in 1973 for the RAMS investment company. The north
plant of the Chantland-PVS Company purchased the property in 1978 for
its north plant.
Chantland-PVS Company originated in 1943 in Badger. The original product
line consisted of a small wood frame belt conveyor. The south plant is
located three miles south of Humboldt on highway 169. The MHE Automatic
Bag Palletizer Company was moved to the north plant in 1994. Products
manufactured there are shipped to customers worldwide.
CELEBRATE!
Dakota City celebrated its 125th Anniversary in August 1983. Jean Hinkle
spoke for the Quasquicentennial Committee: "As we think back over the
past 125 years, we can take pride in the tough spirit of those who came
before us and the independent feelings that have helped keep this town
together."
She remarked, "The tall blue water tower proudly declares that this is
Dakota City and serves as a landmark to the weary traveler for many
miles around. The face of Dakota City has changed over the years. The
vacant lots are being filled in and shacks and old houses have given way
to the buildings we see today. There is a neighborhood atmosphere about
the town that is enhanced by its many comfortable homes, surrounded by
tall trees, wide, neatly-kept lawns and productive vegetable and flower
gardens."
Hinkle noted, "There is a quiet, unhurried pleasant atmosphere that
hasn't altered despite the increase in population. The people are
concerned with bringing up their families, and indeed there has always
been a family closeness about this town and a sort of tough pride in its
history that I know will be carried into the future."
Juanita Boswell remembered spring walks and the gathering of flowers in
the ravine, school picnics and carnivals, the skating rink, and the
haunted A.W. McFarland house south of J.C. McFarland's house (602 Main).
Locked up for 40 years, it burned down in 1961. Many people go to the
greenhouses the Boswells built, where Humboldt County's lawns, flower
and vegetable gardens often get their start.
Dakota City is no longer on the wrong side of the tracks. The tracks are
gone, replaced with hiking trails. The two towns are one except for
boundaries. Things on the hill are looking good. New streets have been
put in. Parks and civic improvements have created an environment where
newcomers are eager to live. Many lovely brick homes have been added
since 1983, and whole residential blocks look like parks.
A small playground is located west of the new water treatment plant. It
was named in memory of Pfc. Herbert O. Zinnel, Jr., who was killed in
Viet Nam on his first mission in 1967. A scholarship is also awarded
each year in his memory.
Street signs were put up with the Boy Scouts helping in 1969. The houses
were numbered, so visitors could find Dakota City addresses. In 1981,
all the street names were changed to numbers, except for Main Street,
which used to be called Mill Street.
SHARING
Slowly the two rival cities began to share. In 1937, the Worthwhile Club
supported the wading pool at Taft Park, and they gave $150 to the
Hospital Fund in 1947.
By combining the school systems of Humboldt and Dakota City, the towns
demonstrated cooperation for the betterment of all. Clyde Mease
Elementary School is now part of the Humboldt Community School District,
housing kindergarten through second grade. Head Start is next door.
Dakota City pays for fire protection and library services from Humboldt.
They give a substantial donation each year to the Aquatic Center. Trash
collection in Dakota City is provided by independent contractors.
Representatives of the whole county work together in the Humboldt County
Emergency Management team.
The sharing of county and city law enforcement facilities has also
worked well, with the Humboldt County Law Enforcement headquarters,
which had been on the third floor of the courthouse, moved to its own
place in Humboldt. The two towns give Community Spirit Awards together,
honoring those who serve the area.
Recently, the two city councils met to discuss combining the water and
sewer systems. Sharing of equipment, coordinating timing of street
improvements, garbage and recycling were also discussed. These proposals
were in the formative stages. It was made clear that Dakota City would
continue to be a separate town with its own unique identity.
Mayor David Lee believes about half of the current population consists
of life-long residents. The majority is older citizens, but, he said,
more and more younger families are moving in. Dakota City has good water
and sewer rates, cheaper housing and a lower cost of living than what
can be found in other cities. Families and businesses take pride in
their appearance, undertaking remodeling projects to make the town
beautiful.
Many in Dakota City are thankful to Peter D. Holt who took an eyesore
and turned it into an attraction. Pete collected gas station
memorabilia. He bought and restored Ted Brown's old Texaco building on
Main Street, one of the first architecturally designed gas stations west
of the Mississippi. Although it is actually a place where Pete stores
his treasures, the gas station has become a place where people stop by
all the time.
Work done by a group of people from the city to revitalize the town's
park has spurred others into action. The Des Moines River Restoration
Committee spent one Saturday a month cutting brush, clearing trees and
just trying to bring it back to life.
What was once a park that nobody really cared about now has playground
equipment, 14 campsites, bathrooms, showers, benches, picnic tables,
shelter houses, boat ramps, a beach and many visitors. Additional
playground equipment and a volleyball court have been added recently.
The money raised for this project was done by several fundraisers. New
entry signs into town, painting the water tower, and increasing the
recycling program were accomplished without raising taxes.
Each Christmas thousands of tourists view Merlin Fort's "hillside
spectacular" holiday light display, giving Dakota City its "15 minutes
of fame" in statewide media.
The city purchased land on which they built a recycling depot, a sand
shed, and a large maintenance shed. They updated some of their
equipment, and resurfaced the main street. They take pride in the
appearance of the city and work hard to keep it a friendly clean town.
Several houses have been condemned and demolished.
On Aug. 8, 2007, and again in June 2008, Dakota City's community spirit
surfaced when downpours of rain inundated the town. Neighbors helped one
another, and folks from Humboldt joined volunteers from across the state
to help clean up wet basements.
Jim Gronbach won the "Outstanding Good Neighbor Award" for volunteering
much time and energy to help many in the community during that
emergency. As he was in the firehouse, he took calls and sent men and
trucks to help those in trouble. He helped out in Dakota City. Then,
after learning that the Humboldt South Care Center's electrical system
was out and all the residents needed evacuating, Jim went there to lead
and assist. He demonstrated the neighborly helpfulness he learned at
home in Dakota City.
Having the courthouse and being the county seat of Humboldt County has
always been a source of pride to Dakota City citizens. Recent efforts to
place the courthouse on the historic registry, restore the original
frescoed artwork on the walls and ceilings, and replace unique, solid
bronze light fixtures outside the front door have been successful.
Mayor David Lee said, "Our little town is the oldest town in Humboldt
County. We are the county seat with the courthouse. We are proud of our
heritage and are looking forward to having a great celebration of our
150 years. Our first Dakota City Days celebration was enjoyed by many
and we are hoping to provide that same type of event in 2008."
Our appreciation to those who have helped research this history of
Dakota City: Russell L. Christensen, Gordon Van Gronigen, Shirley
Vinsand, Mona Sawyer Hill, Ron Stone, Don Vest, Angelique Berry, Janean
Smith, Bill Fort, David Lee, Joe Hadar, Nathalie Schulze, Virginia
Griffin, Eugene Smith, Donna Cooper, Earlene Davis, Bernie Eckberg,
Laurie Carlson, Marilyn Dodgen and Martha Schmidt. Thank you.