Fort Dodge was founded in 1850 as a military post to police the Iowa frontier. A subsequent land boom created fortunes that were reinvested in the local economy. The town soon earned the nickname ldquo;Mineral Cityrdquo; because of the extensive deposits of coal; gypsum; limestone; and clay. By 1900; the city was a rail center and the worldrsquo;s largest producer of gypsum products. With a highly diversified economy; the city prospered and by World War I was able to claim to have more skyscrapers per capita than any other city in the Midwest and beautiful public buildings designed by some of the nationrsquo;s leading architects. Between 1900 and 1925; Fort Dodge enjoyed the role as an important political center and the home of two U.S. senators; the director of the U.S. Mint; the solicitor of the Department of the Treasury; a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals; Eighth Circuit; and the first presidential press secretary and speechwriter. Sons and daughters of the community went on to establish national reputations in art; music; literature; science; and journalism. Images used in this volume come primarily from the archives of the Webster County Historical Society and were chosen to represent the changing character of the community from 1850 to 1970.
#2460488 in eBooks 2009-02-16 2009-02-16File Name: B0093EDVJQ
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. TX for ten years of my childhood and very much enjoyed reading this book and learning more about the history ...By Jean R. OdomI lived in Ennis. TX for ten years of my childhood and very much enjoyed reading this book and learning more about the history of my "Hometown". The text and pictures were very well done. Thanks to the people who made this happen!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Stephanie MummertGreat Information0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great Read!By L. HobbsI was anxious to pick up this book because I was born and raised in Ennis. TX. The pictures from the past take me back to a more simpler time and make me feel more connected to those brick lined streets that I have driven over so often. It interesting to see how things have changed. even in the last 50 years or so. Even interesting to see how well those in the city of kept up our historical markers when comparing them with older photographs.
