Nodaway Valley Historical Village
Six historical buildings from the Nodaway Valley region have been preserved for your tour. They include the following from north to south:
College Springs Railroad Depot
Bethesda General Store
Hawleyville Barber Shop
Page Center/Blanchard Smithy
Northboro Store/Doctor's office
Essex Jail
College Springs Railroad Depot
In the early 1900's the College Springs Depot was built
about a block north and west of Amity Hall.
When the railroad stopped service in 1917,
the depot was no longer needed.
It was moved south of the business block and became a home.
When the depot was moved to our museum complex in 2005,
it was restored and features displays of railroad memorabilia.
Bethesda General Store
The Bethesda General Store was built in the late 1800's
and not only served as a grocery store, but also as
a farm equipment supplier, local produce trade location,
a gas station, even a mail drop for the post office in Hepburn.
The Bethesda General Store was purchased in 1911 by Victor Oline
and was owned and run by William and Frieda Baumgarten
from 1959-1974. It was moved to the museum complex in 1991.
Hawleyville Barber Shop
The Hawleyville Barbershop
was built
around 1900.
Later it was used as the post office
until 1916
and city hall
for official and community gatherings.
In 1994 the barbershop was moved to the museum grounds and now displays early barbering equipment as well as the antique dental equipment of
Dr. Sidwell of Villisca and
Dr. Eller of Clarinda.
Page Center/Blanchard Smithy
John W. Nance returned to Blanchard in 1935
to take over his father's blacksmith shop. John's son, Lonnie Nance who was practiced in the trade, did much of the restoration to the building himself.
The building was moved
to the Village
at the museum complex
in 1995.
The equipment
in the shop
was once used by
John W. Nance.
Northboro Store/Doctor's Office
In the 1920's John Long and
Roy Malcum
ran a barber shop on the north side of Northboro's
Main
Street.
After being moved to the museum in 2002,
the building was designated as a doctor's office
and contains numerous pieces of medical equipment
from various doctors' offices.
And last, but not least....the Essex Jail is under construction
The jail is currently transitioning from
"just" a metal cage sitting open to the elements to an enclosed two-person cellblock of which
a small town marshall could be proud.
At the completion of this sixth building in our Historical Village,
a new photo and update will appear here.
Progress is being made.
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