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www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 17/SEPTEMBER 24, 2021
Former school building can still teach a thing or two One day towards the end of August I the interesting displays at our own pace. which was ready for grinding corn and other grains stepped back in time. It was a day into flour. The building is now listed on the planned to explore the antiques and life The mill drew farmers from Minnesota, South National Register of Historic Places. For from days gone by at the Plymouth Dakota and other locaover 70 County Historical Museum. tions from up to 70 years it was But when I entered the halls of Old miles away. It would the public Central, it felt as if I was again a student have been ideal, but school for all carrying school books with my pencils the Floyd River water 12 grades in and paper ready to learn. It wouldn’t level wasn’t always Le Mars, FROM MY have surprised me if school bells had conducive to supplying Iowa. Fondly FARMHOUSE rung or buzzers were sounding to enough power. So in called “Old KITCHEN announce it was time to end one subject 1873 steam power was Central,” it By Renae B. and move on to the next. added. was conVander Schaaf structed in Thankfully they didn’t ring, so my That made a differthree sections: middle friend and I could enjoy our afternoon exploring all ence, as years later the (1905), south (1925) mill produced 75 barand north (1952). rels of flour per day During the school’s and five train car loads final years (1980-81) it of feed. There was even was officially used as a a railroad spur built to learning center. Photos by Renae B. Vander Schaaf help transport the flour and grain to Bit by bit, since 1983, To me, a kitchen is always the heart of the home where women share their love for family by cooking up nutritious meals and sharwhere it was needed. the Plymouth County ing a cup of coffee with family and friends. Historical Museum has Obviously industry been transforming the school does help a town grow. building into one of Iowa’s largest 30 COLORS 26-29 GAUGE Standard all around The classrooms of the former historical museums. The rooms on durability school are filled with various disthe building’s five floors depict plays. The kitchen in the Heritage Plymouth Counties earliest days House is a definite reminder that and how it has changed through my life is not as busy as it could the years. be. I am not separating cream Like most communities, there is from the milk that I may or not some history shared by all — yet have milked that morning and each specific area has its own evening. My laundry consists of story which makes museum throwing the clothes in a washer, This is one of the two log cabins avail30 COLORS 26-29 GAUGE Standing seam architecture exploring interesting. adding soap and pushing a few look for half the price able for touring on the grounds. buttons. I just don’t have the musIt was on Dec. 28, 1846 that cles for a scrub board. Iowa became a state. Approximately 10 years later, the Western Plymouth County has first settlers began building their the distinction of being part of the homes in Plymouth County. Loess Hills. So of course, there is a display of the wildlife which can In a little more than 10 years, be found in the area. Plymouth County was surveyed for a railroad in 1868. John Insley The Medical Class room displays early medical equipment and 30 COLORS 26-29 GAUGE Residential and round roof Blair — who was known as a planapplications ner of railroad, railroad stock plays homage to those early docspeculator and bridge builder — I’m thankful these tools for keeping house tors who made house calls and played a huge role in choosing the often worked until totally exhaustare found in a museum and not in my route for the Illinois Central ed, relying on their horse to bring home. Railroad to connect Iowa Falls and them home safely. Sioux City. Blair must have been a Miller’s Lunch is a replica of a man of action, too. Le Mars (then favorite diner in the area from simply known as St. Paul 1943 to 1990. When it closed, the Junction) had rail service just a furnishings — including booths, Commercial and Perlin year later in 1869. 30 COLORS 26 GAUGE countertops and décor — were applications That same year, Peter Gehlen relocated to museum. As we scouted out a place on the Floyd walked through the display, big River for building a flour mill. He If you’re looking for a winter hobby, had hoped the river would furnish here’s one: build a replica of your barn See FARMHOUSE KITCHEN, and supply the power for his mill with wooden matchsticks. pg. 6
