February 05, 2025

Throwback Thursday

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The iconic Iowana Hotel, now known simply as The Iowana, is Creston's historical landmark. Because Creston was on the mainline of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, and it was a divisional headquarters, it was a necessary and highly successful community location. The Iowana was built in 1919, finished in 1920, and is currently an affordable one and two-bedroom apartment building as of 2011. The building was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. (Contributed photo)

Today is Aug. 27, the 240th day of the year. There are 126 days left in 2020. Below are news items from the Creston News Advertiser for this week (Aug. 24-28) in history.

5 years ago

Southern Prairie YMCA threw its 20th Birthday Bash, a fundraiser with several free activities, the main event being a “balloon pop,” which gave participants the chance to win $1,000 and other prizes. There was also a free water polo competition, kids’ fun zone with carnival games, inflatables and face painting.

Murray used a combination of stout defense and big plays on offense from Dustin Teas and Jack Jones to roll to a 48-0 win over Melcher-Dallas. The week zero win matched Murray’s win total from 2014, when the Mustangs finished the year 1-8.

Rick Harrison, the star of the History Channel’s hit TV show “Pawn Stars,” made a visit to the Northside Cafe in Winterset, when he was doing a two-day swing through Iowa to endorse Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who was running for president at the time.

An AP article from Boston reported two Iowan men made online threats against Pokemon competitors, making references to the Boston Marathon bombings and the Columbine High School massacre, then drove 25 hours to Boston, where they were stopped as they tried to register for the World Pokemon Championships, police said. Following arrest, the pair were ordered held without bail on gun charges and their guns seized.

10 years ago

The Creston/O-M football announced its new coaching staff for 2010, with head coach being Brian Morrison, assistants Steve Tussey, Chad Needham, Darrell Frain, Kevin Cooper, Chad Briley and Monte Neitzel; freshman coaches Steve Birchard and Shawn Miller. Morrison was previously an eight-year assistant for Dick Bergstrom, an Iowa Hall of Fame coach who stepped down after 33 years guiding the Panthers. Bergstrom finished with a coaching record of 204-156.

The Clearfield Lions’ rescheduled 4th of July celebration was held Aug. 30, 2010. The event started with a volleyball tournament in the city park and a baby contest followed by kids’ games. The previously rained-out 4th of July parade began in the evening, followed by musical entertainment, a drawing for prizes and fireworks.

25 years ago

Then Mayor of Creston, Terry Donahue, announced that he was not seeking re-election and was leaving office in December 1995. Donahue entered city politice in 1977, when he was elected to the city council as first ward representative, and was elected Mayor in 1981. He was the longest serving Mayor of Creston at the time.

Austin Turner III of Corning, Darlene Loudon of Creston and Kay Lucas of Bedford were honored for community service at the 1995 Iowa State Fair, where they each received an Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame award. Also mentioned was Amanda Carstens of Adair.

A fire in Stuart engulfed historical landmark and tourist attraction All Saints Catholic Church, with 20 fire departments responding to the blaze which destroyed the church completely. It was built in 1908 by the same designer of St. John’s Basilica in Des Moines, and was modeled after St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Venice, Italy.

50 years ago

Prescott kicked off their centennial celebration with the first of three Saturday night “promenade nights,” in their Big Square with all participants dressed in 1870s era costume. The promenade nights featured Harold Crowell hosting free bingo, a “kangaroo court” session with Bill Kepler and a “dunk tank.” The town celebrated their centennial Sept. 12 and 13, 1970.

Joe Namath was booed by New York Jets fans. An AP article reported the loathed player was booed by fans at the Yale Bowl, an NFL exhibition game where the New York Jets lost to the N.Y. Giants 28-24. His refusal to perform in a previous city cross-rival match and his failure to turn up at Jets’ camp practice may have contributed to fans’ ill feelings.

It was announced that the iconic and historical Iowana Hotel in Creston was to be sold. A Creston landmark for over 50 years at the time, an auction was going to take place Oct. 3 to sell the structure only, the 120 rooms within, but not the operations or the ground floor stores and spaces on Montgomery and Maple streets. The building was erected in 1919-1920, becoming essential for those traveling by train, the community and for railway employees.

The High and Dry road north of Diagonal underwent contruction to complete the paved surfacing, north from Diagonal to the Ringgold-Union County line north to Highway 34 at Creston. The paving was slated to be finished late fall of 1970, or spring 1971. The completion of the paving was dependent upon if they could get essential work done before winter hit.