Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

funded by a county tax levy.
Those presently serving are: Larry Behrends.
Monticello; Fred W. Petersen, Wyoming; Robert I-iosch.
Cascade: Keith Christensen. Center Junction; and
Robert Holland, Anamosa. Past Board members
include: Louie Hanken, Chauncey Robinson, Roy
Rodman. Fred T. Petersen, Louis Thuman, Ezra
Wenndt, Jack Stingley, John Talbert, and Howard
Zirkelbach.
Central Park, one of the 12 areas under the Board's
jurisdiction, is located ten miles east of Anamosa, and it
lies directly in the center of Jones County. It consists of
217 acres with a 25 acre lake, and 55 acres of timber.
This park is the site of the Conservation Board's office.
The land for the Central Park was purchased from
Joseph and Lena Ladehoff, Carl, lda and John Henry
Folkers. Rowena Mowbrary, and May Reynolds.
The areas of the park were mostly designed by Orris
Randolph of Anamosa. A bench located in the park
serves as a memorial to him.
The other areas under the jurisdiction of the
Conservation Board are: Pictured Rocks, Mon-Maq
Dam, Rose Wildlife Area, Olin Recreation Area, River
Access at Anamosa, Access at Stone City, Access at
Newport, Access at Olin. Access at Jungletown. near
Hale, Access at Oxford Mills and Maquoketa River
Access on Highway 136.
Central Park has had two Executive Directors. Robert
Miller. 1969-71, and Dean Frankfurt. 1971 to the
present.
Central Park was the site of Jones County's Bi-
Centennial Celebration in 1976, which attracted a
crowd of persons, estimated in the thousands.
In 1969. $10,000 was budgeted for operational
expenses; in 1986 it totaled $43,000.
In 1985 Central Park became the home of the
Fremont Bridge. The bridge measures 216 by 16 feet.
and was originally built in 1873, and spanned the
Maquoketa River on the Military Road, northeast of
Monticello. Built by the Massillion Bridge Co.. it was
one of five iron bowstrlng bridges located, at one time,
in Jones County. The unusual mid-1800s type of
construction of pin connections was not used on this
bridge, and due to its age and rarity. and the fact that it
was built by one of the nation's major bridge builders, it
was declared to be eligible for the National Register of
Historical Places in June 1984.
In 1930 Elmer Coon was awarded the bid to move
the bridge from Monticello to Fremont, near the
Fremont Flour Mill, in Cass Township. In 1985 the
Jones county engineer. Earl Beiseil, and the
conservation board decided, due to the historical aspect
of the bridge, it should preserved. it was impossible to
preserve in place. so plans were made to move it to the
Central Park site.
The bridge was lifted intact upon the deck of the new
bridge where it was dismantled into two sections.
placed on flat-bed trucks. and taken to its third home.
Due to their successful efforts in saving this bridge,
Beisell and Dean Frankfurt were nominated for the
Biennial Award for innovative and creative approaches
to meeting the needs of historical preservation in
transportation projects.
The bridge, now over a scenic bed of water, is used as
a foot-bridge and it is also used by fisherman.
it will be kept in its natural state.
Anamosa Chamber of Commerce
The Beginning
submitted by Donald B. Goodman
The community of Anamosa has always been
mindful of its civic responsibilities. Even in the early
years there were organizations working toward
betterment of the business and civic problems of the
community.
in the late 1920s and early 1930s there was an
Anamosa Community Club active here. In the late 20s
a man named Frank Whitcomb, who had an office
above the old Scott Hardware, headed up the
Community Club.
On Monday evening February 5, 1940, an
organizational meeting of the Anamosa Club was held
at the Congregational Church. Don Goodman was
elected president of the newly formed club. Albert
Ament was elected as vice-president, and Hugo
Deinlnger as treasurer. Seven directors included G.B.
Kinser, Kenneth Humpal, Leo Loyet, Dr. R.L. Hyde.
Charlie Tyler and Robert Morrison. James Remley, Jr..
was appointed as secretary and drew up the articles of
incorporation.
There was very little money to work with the first
year. However, the president and secretary, with the
help of this board, formed the rural Fire Association.
Memberships were sold at $25 each and the city of
Anamosa donated a fire truck for this Rural Fire
Asociation to be manned by the Anamosa Volunteer
Fire Department. This organization is a going concern
at the present time. After World War II,and the return of
many people who served in the armed services, the
club renewed its efforts, and it was during this time that
the Anamosa Club became the Anamosa Chamber of
Commerce. This Chamber has served under many
officers and several secretaries up to the present time.
The Chamber has accomplished many things over
the years. all for the betterment of the community. The
organization is alive and well and will continue to serve
the needs of the businesses and surrounding area of
Anamosa.
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