I love Eldon Iowa

02/15/2025

My most fun place when back at the lake !

04/27/2024

https://share.newsbreak.com/6qm4q5uq

Denny Banks of Washington is joined by his 5-month-old son Brandon after winning the IMCA modified feature at Eldon Raceway. Ron Potts prese...

01/24/2023

Ottumwa Courier; Jan. 1894:
Eldon Will Clean Out the Saloons.
"Thos. Mulvaney, the Stormy Jordan of Eldon, died Saturday night at 8 o'clock. This frees Eldon of her persistent violators of the prohibitory law, and now that we will have a governor who will not pardon out our violators, we will have peace injunctions, and clear our little city of her two hell-holes. All others who may contemplate going into the saloon business take warning."
Prohibition was an ongoing battle for many years in this era. Although not a drinker himself, Stormy Jordan was a notorious saloonkeeper in Ottumwa who operated an establishment known as "The Road to Hell". He became wealth but spent most of his fortune fighting the prohibition law in the courts. Mr. Mulvaney's wife did not heed the warnings set out in Thomas' death notice but took up the saloon business herself and operated in Eldon for many years.

12/06/2022

In 1949 the Eldon Forum had a column called "Chit Chat by an Old Timer". Here are some of his musings, "Did you ever stop to think about a plot of ground and what it will or will not raise? Sometimes a plot of ground raises an individual variety of something other than grain. For instance, take Doc Sawyers' corner. We all know where that is. Well, Grandfather Moore built that house and while he owned it one little red headed girl was born there. Doctor Sawyers bought the corner, and two more red heads were born there, a girl and a boy. Now that is all that land will produce. Wish some of these newlyweds around town would talk Doc into renting the yard at his place, pitch a tent and set up a residence, and see what the results would be when the stork drops off a baby to them...dollar to a doughnut it would be a redhead." Fast forward several years and the Glen Dye family lived on that corner. Among their children was a redheaded daughter. Alas, the house is gone now but a new building has replaced it. Ace Graphics and Printing opened up just this week. And who is the proprietor? Sherry Davis VanBlaricom--another readhead! And the legacy continues!

11/26/2022

The 2023 McHaffey Opera House vintage photograph calendars are in and ready for sale. They are priced at $8 each.

10/15/2022

The Fall Murder Mystery event deadline is approaching FAST. Please remember, you MUST preregister in order to participate so we can ensure there is enough food. Deadline is October 14th at 5:00 p.m. (THIS FRIDAY)

Secure your spot by clicking here: https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Wapello/Park/American-Gothic-House-Center/Events/19859/FALL-MURDER-MYSTERY-CHALLENGE.aspx

08/29/2022

Found this interesting tidbit on a walk today

08/27/2022

Aug. 31, 1905, Ottumwa Courier.
LEAVE FOR ELDON--Cavalry Troops From United States Army Begin March to the Eldon Fair. Will Be in Ottumwa Saturday September 2, and March to Eldon Sunday Morning--Expert Judges Engaged--Immense Exhibits.
The United States cavalry troops from the barracks at Ft. Des Moines, which are to be a special attraction at the Big Four fair, started today on the overland march from Des Moines to Eldon. Tonight they will camp at Runnells and tomorrow will march to Otley. On Friday they will reach Oskaloosa and will arrive in Ottumwa on Saturday, remaining until Sunday, when they will complete the march to Eldon. It is expected that the Eldon fair this year will be the best in the history of the Big Four association. Expert judges on horses, cattle, sheep and hogs have been engaged from Ames college. W.S. Russell of Ottumwa will be judge of poultry and Peter Leinhauser of Ottumwa will be the starting judge for the races. An up-to-date poultry building has been erected and an unusually creditable exhibit in this line is expected. There will be immense exhibits of cattle, hogs and sheep this year.
HALF MILE NOVELTY RACE. For the last race, horses are to be tied to fence in front of judges' stand, carts or buggies to be four abreast in center of track. Harness to be left in vehicle. At a given signal, drivers, without assistance, are to harness and hitch horses to vehicle and start as soon as possible. Any gait may be used but horse must not come under wire faster than a trot or pace. Horses not properly harnessed will be ruled out. All contestants to drive single horses.