Building the square in Osceola

In 1901 and 1902, Osceola improved more than any town of its size in Iowa. Building enterprise was manifested in the business district by the erection of eight business blocks. Also going up were scores of new residences and barns. The city was making fine progress with the erection of modern convenient residences. Visitors would see a deal of scaffolding about Osceola and some torn-up walks. That sign was not a bad sign, but in fact, good advertising for the city.

On Christmas Day 1901, after 10 days of intense cold weather, the skies brightened up and stone masons laid stone on the foundation of the Lewis Block on the northeast comer of the square.

Workmen in all lines were hard to get. Lack of them was all that held Osceola’s building boom from assuming larger proportions. Brick makers had a difficult time starting kilns in the spring as the rains melted them as fast as they were molded. The demand for houses to rent far exceeded the supply. Osceola was growing. More houses needed to be built to accommodate the people who wanted to live in the city.

Norton Bailey bought a lot for $2,800 with a 40-foot front joining the R. M. Lewis lot on the west. Bailey planned to build in connection with Mr. Lewis, making an 85-foot, two-story block on the northeast corner. The lower room to be used for Bailey’s furniture and undertaking business. It was to be one of the best furniture rooms in the state.

In the early summer of 1902, Bailey built the new brick block. The building was built of hollow brick in two sizes, since hollow bricks rendered a wall absolutely fire proof and also damp-proof. The bricks were higher priced than other brick and patented.

The two large business blocks of Bailey and Lewis added greatly to the appearance of Osceola’s business district. Those two gentlemen exercised good judgment and a fine sense of discrimination in building with an eye to artistic beauty, as well as substantially. The pressed brick cornices, in fancy design, and the stylish fronts gave the entire block a metropolitan appearance.

A petition was passed among businessmen for paving streets with vitrified brick. The brick streets would stretch from the depot to the opera house and the south side of the square. If all went well, there would be a new system of waterworks in 1902. Telephone service improved with two new switch boards put in service at the Osceola exchange, a marked improvement. Farmers organized the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company. Members subscribed for stock with so much per share.

Osceola was booming with the new business blocks and residences. Osceola was an ideal city to live in and enjoy life and was prosperous and energetic from a business standpoint.