Ellsworth History


Ellsworth in the 1960s - Page 6

The population of Ellsworth in 1960 was 493.

Ellsworth in the 1960s

Facing west on Dubuque Street

These photos show the west side of Main Street.
(Most may be enlarged with a click.)

This shows the front (or north) Dubuque Steet side of the Turkey Plant.

In the mid 60s, the old Bank building, seen at the left, had a sign that said, Laundry Cleaning Villiage.
Next is Ed's Tavern located in two store-fronts. The signs says, Grain Belt Beer.

This 1961 view shows the west side of Main Street (DeWitt), facing South.
From the right, you can see that the future Ellsworth Public Library is under construction.
Next is the Doctor's Office and the Hove Truck Line building.

This 1963 image shows the Ellsworth Legion Building and the newly constructed Post Office.

(You may click to enlarge, however the text of this next image about the history of mail delivery in Ellsworth as of 1963 is printed below.)

New Post Office at Ellsworth; Many Previous Sites
Town Platted 83 Years Ago Last Month

Ellsworth's attractive new post office was officially opened this week to launch a new era in the history of this community's postal service. The commodious new building was financed by Postmaster Wayne Brinton and is leased by the U. S. postal department. It has more than 200 lock boxes compared to only 170 in the old office, and the new facilities allow ample room for further expansion. The new structure is located north of the Veterans building, and is 32 by 54 feet in dimensions. There are ample parking facilities and room for easy accessibility by trucks and rural carrier.

Ellsworth, in its 83 year history, has had many different sites for its post office. The town of Ellsworth was platted in October, 1880. John Ringstad was the first postmaster. C. J. Thoreson of Ames supplies much of the history of Ellsworth and he says the Christ Thoreson and Co., General Store was located on a lot just north of what is now the veteran's building and where the new post office is now, and that the post office then was in that building when Ellsworth first started. Later it moved to the site across the street where the Farmers State bank is now. This building was torn down to make way for the bank building which was built in 1914.

A Ghost Town Mr. Thoreson and Mr. Ringstad ran a general store in Callanan, a town built before Ellsworth was settled, at a site one mile west and one mile south of the present town. There was a post office in this store. When the North-Western Railroad moved the tracks from Callanan to the new town of Ellsworth, the town of Callanan came to an end.

William Price succeeded Mr. Ringstad and he had his daughter, Floy Price, as his clerk. Early in 1900, John Digerness succeeded Mr. Price as postmaster. The post office was located on a lot where the Kuhfus oil station now stands. Mr. Digerness was also publisher of the Ellsworth Chronicle which was operated on the same location.

Office Moved Again Ollie Nelson succeeded Mr. Digerness in about 1906. The post office was moved to the site of the south half of what is now Thoreson's Turkey hatchery. Mr. Nelson and his family lived in an apartment upstairs. Later he moved to the site now occupied by Kuhl's grocery store. At that time there were about sixty lock boxes with a set of "call" boxes and it was a fourth class office. Mr. Nelson had as his helpoers Maude Hanson-Osborn, Mrs. Nelson, Inez Hanson-Johnson and Millie Fjetland-Taylor.

More information was received from Mrs. Inez Hanson, who succeeded Mr. Nelson. The post office was moved to the room that is now the party room of Miller's cafe. Mrs. Johnson received her commission June 17, 1913 from the Postmaster General Albert S. Burleson, who made the appointments. The office was made third class on March 3, 1915. Her commission was renewed by President Woodrow Wilson August 5, 1919. Calvin Coolidge signed the next commission she received December 19, 1923. Her helpers or clerks were ger sister, Ossie Hanson, two brothers, Willie Hanson and Scott Hanson, the latter not working too long. Also Gladys Johnson. Mrs. Johnson, then Inez Hanson, resigned in 1925 to be married. Her brother, Willie, worked until May and O. A. Cragwick was appointed acting postmaster. Mr. Cragwick served as postmaster until his death April 13, 1929. His clerks were Willie Hanson, Leon Keesee-Coates and Clifford Dalbey.

Following Mr. Cragwick's death, Mrs. Cragwick was appointed acting postmaster. However her daughter, Mrs. Gertie Gragwick-Kallem, took care of the business until Abner Reynolds was appoined postmaster. Ossie Hanson and Mrs. Kallem were his clerks. The office was moved into the quarters that have just been vacated.

Second Class Mrs. Blanche Olsen-Risetter succeeded Mr. Reynolds in 1935 and was postmaster until April 30, 1959 when she retired. The office became second class in July 1958, and maintained that class for only one year. Mrs. Risetter was assisted by Ossie Hanson, Leoan Coates and Avis Olson, Mrs. Olson retired as clerk after 15 years of service, on April 17, 1959, Mrs. Coates taking her place. Mrs. Coates became acting postmaster on the retirement of Mrs. Risetter. She continued in that capacity until October 12, 1961, when Wayne E. Brinton was named acting postmaster. Mrs. Coates had as her clerks, Robert Mullin, Jeanie Focal and Janet Coates-Adix. The latter is a daughter of Mrs. Coates, making three generations working out of the Ellsworth post office in it's history. Mrs. Coates' father, Hal Keesee was Rural Letter Carrier from 1901 until his retirement in December, 1933.

Mr. Brinton received his comission October 2, 1963. Mrs. Coates converted to a career appointment and was on leave of absence while serving as acting postmaster for 30 months. She is clerk now and Mrs. Foval is the substitute.

Rural Carrier

Carol Reisetter is the carrier for the rural route out of Ellsworth. Mr. Keesee first started carrying the rural mail in December, 1901, and carried for 32 years. His route was 32 miles long in comparison to Mr. Reisetter's present route which covers about 65 miles. Pete Olsen, father of Mrs. Reisetter, was a rural carrier along with Mr. Keesee, for some years before the routes were consolidated in 1915.

A Mr. Starr from Iowa City succeeded Mr. Keesee as rural carrier and in turn was succeeded by Jesse Zager who served until his retirement. Irvin Busch serbed as acting carrier until Mr. Reisetter was appointed. Mr. Reisetter was recently elected as state president of the Iowa Rural Letter Carriers association.

Ellsworth's Postmasters and Rural Carriers
The plaque showing this great list may be seen on the east wall inside the Ellsworth Post Office.

This 1965 image shows the Post Office, Doctor Dorothy Mullin's office,
the Ellsworth Library, and the Ellsworth City Hall.

This 1965 image shows from left, the Post Office, the Doctor's office, the Library, and City Hall.

Ellsworth Schools in the 1960s

South Hamilton School called this the Ellsworth Center

Although the old school building is no longer used for South Hamilton Student,
the gym is now used as the Ellsworth Community Center.

This aerial view of the Ellsworth schools shows the brick elementary school (at left on the west side of the street) built in 1913 and razed in 1974, and the brick high school (east side of the street) built in 1916, and the 1951 brick gymnasium.

The building which had been used as the home for the high school was used by South Hamilton School as one of its two junior high schools until the 1968-1969 school year. At that time all 7th through 9th graders attended the new school in Jewell. This brick building then became an elementary center for K-6 students until 1973, when the 5th and 6th graders were shuttled to Randall.

The building ceased to be used as a teaching center in the 1975-1976 school year when all the district's 4th graders also went to Randall, and the remaining students were all moved to the Jewell center. These buildings now serve as portions of the Ellsworth Community Center and as home for some South Hamilton sports practices and games.

Awards given to Ellsworth Girl Scouts
A full page article about Girl Scouts published June 14, 1961.

(You may wish to click image to see a larger version for easier reading.)
(Also, the text is provided below this image.)

Girl Scout Fly-Up and Court of Awards Held for the Ellsworth Girl Scouts

The Ellsworth Girl Scouts are rapidly growing in number and experience. On Wednesday evening, May 31, the annual Fly-Up and Court of Awards was held at the Trinity Lutheran Church. A large number of the Girl Scouts and their families attended the pot luck supper and program honoring the Girl Scouts. Following is a list of the Girl Scouts, and their leaders and the awards and badges that they received that evening.

TROOP 133
The following girls of Troop 133 received their Second Class Rank Badge, Health Aid Badge and Dabbler Badge: Helen Busch, Joan Danielson, Lodean Egenes, Debbie Hemphill, Eunice Hill, Karen Hulsebus, Deanne Jans, Catherine Johnson, Karen Johnson, Diane Oppedahl, Kathy Peterson, LeAnn Rex, Arlie Thoreson.
The leader of this troop is Mrs. Clifton Larson. Her Assistant is Mrs. Elmer Olson and troop mothers are Mrs. Clifford Busch and Mrs. Delmar Hill.

TROOP 137
     Troop 137 consisting of two patrols of 7th and 8th grade girls completed the following badges this year:
    Patrol 2 - 7th Grade Susan Braland, Marla Brown, Jane Champion, Donna Erbes, Paulette Hanson, Pamela Olson, Margorie Tegland, Kristine Weir, Brenda Wichlein.
    The above mentioned girls received the following badges: Hospitality, Child Care, Good Grooming and World Trefoil.   These badges, plus one more that they will earn this summer, make them First Class Scouts.   Marla Brown and Kristie Weir are going to attend Trailblaizer camp at Wapewokis established camp near Webster City.
    Patrol 1 - 8th Grade Rosemary Hanson, Barbara Johnson, Beverly Teigland, Betty Torgerson.

Formerly, troop 86 had to be registered with the seventh grade as eight or more girls are required to register a troop. The high light of this year of working for our Curved Bar, the highest rank awarded in Gilr Scouting, was receiving our diplomas, signifying that we have graduated from the Intermediate Scouting program and are ready for Senior Scouting. In completeing the Curved Bar we earned the following badges: Pioneer, Conservation and Sports. We wish to thank our troop committee members for their help this past year. Mrs. Harris Braland, Mrs. Emery Tegland, Mrs. Dwayne Hill and Mrs. Dean Erbes, also Mrs. Marvin Brown and Mrs. Ernest Johnson for additional help.

The leader of this troop is Mrs. Max Weir. Assistant leaders are Mrs. Alyce Wicklein and Mrs. Robert Champion.

TROOP 231
     Leader - Mrs. Kenneth Magnuson,
     Assistant Leader - Mrs. Carroll Arneson
     Troop Mothers - Mrs. Hans Walther and Mrs. Wallace Jans
   Girls - Carolyn Arneson, Jean Danielson, Carleen Johnson, Ruth Sanderson, Mary Beth Walther, Marcia Brinton, Sharon Jans, Ileen Johnson, Angie Tyler, and Janet Lange.
    Each girl receved her one year membership star.

SENIOR TROOP 85
     Leader - Mrs. Vernon Peterson
     Assistant Leader - Rms. J. E. Ellingson
     Troop Mothers - Mrs. Max Weir and Mrs. William Brinton
The girls and the awards presented them are:
      Doreen Ellingson - 10 year mebership pin, Curved Bar award, conservation badge, and sports badge.
     Judi Weir - 10 year membership pin, Curved Bar award, conservation badge, sports badge and horsewoman badge.
     Barbara Peterson - 10 year membership pin, Curved Bar award, conservation badge and sports badge.

     The Curved Bar Award given these three girls is the highest award possible in Girl Scouting. This is the first time any girl has been awarded a 10 yr. membership pin in the history of Ellsworth Girl Scouting.
     Linda Brinton, Sherry Foval, Marianne Tyler, and Margaret Flygstad were awarded a membership star and the 5 point pin showing completion of requirements for the first year of Senior Girl Scouting.
    Rosemary Hanson, Barbara Johnson, Beverly Tegland and Betty Ann Torgerson were welcomed as new members of Senior Troop 85.

TROOP 138
     The Shooting Stars have been real "badge conscious" the past year and have earned many badges.   Mrs. Don Paulson and Mrs. Wayne Rude are the leaders with Mrs. Ronald Twedt and Mrs. Carrol Reisetter serving as Troop Mothers.
     These girls earned the following badges;
     Mary Dalbey - 2nd class, Outdoor Safety, Outdoor Cook, Adventurer, Campcraft, and Puppeteer.
     Orene Danielson l-l 2nd class, Outdoor Safety, Outdoor Cook, Adventurer, Campcraft, and Puppeteer.
     Ranae Farwell - 2nd class, Outdoor Safety, Adventurer, Outdoor Cook, Campcraft, and Puppeyteer.
     Debbie Flygstad - 2nd class, Outdoor Safety, Adventurer, Outdoor Cook, Rambler, and Puppeteer.
     Jackie Henderson - 2nd class, Outdoor Safety, Outdoor Cook, and Puppeteer.
     Suzanne Larson - 2nd class, Outdoor Safety, Outdoor Cook, Adventurer, Rambler, and Puppeteer.
     Glenda Olson - 2nd class, Adventurer, Outdoor Cook, and Puppeteer.
     Donna Paulson - 2nd class, Outdoor Safety, Outdoor Cook, Rambler, Adventurer, and Puppeteer.
     Jackie Olson - 2nd class, Outdoor Safey, Adventurer, Outdoor Cook, Rambler, Puppeteer, and Health Aid.
     Susan Reisetter - 2nd class, Outdoor safety, Adventurer, Outdoor Cook, and puppeteer.
     Ada Gene Rude - 2nd class, Outdoor Safety, Adventurer, Outdoor Cook, Campcraft, Rambler, Farm Safety, and Puppeteer.
     Shirley Thoreson - 2nd class, Outdoor Safety, Adventurer, Outdoor Cook, Rambler, Farm Safety, and Puppeteer.
     Darla Twedt - 2nd class, Outdoor Safety, Adventurer, Outdoor Cook, Rambler, Puppeteer, and Health Aid.
     Sharon Tyler - 2nd class, Outdoor Safety, Adventurer, Outdoor Cook, Campcraft, and Puppeteer.

TROOP 214
     This troop is divided into two patrols.
     Patrol 1 - received their Wings, Membership Stars and Girl Scout Pin. They will be Intermediate Scouts in the fall.   Members of this troop are Lea Champion, Cynthia Johnson, Jean Magnusson, Patricia Jans, Karen Twedt, Deloes Cole, Carla Classon, Susan Thompson, Barbara Swenson.
     Patrol 2 - received thier year membership stars.   Members of this troop are Beatrice Busch, Janice Olson, Debra Thoreson, Christine Johnson, Janet Ostebee, Sharon Egenes, Kathe Rash, Carol Johnson, Cheryll Larson, Ruth Ann Hill, Jackie Brinton, Becky Arneson, Peggy Thommpson and Janis Classon.
     The co-leaders of this troop are Mrs. T. Dale Thompson and Mrs. Curtis O. Thoreson.   Junior assistant was Doreen Ellingson.   Troop mothers were Mrs. Wayne Brinton and Mrs. Curtis Johnson.

More images of the 1960s on
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