Albia in Monroe County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Edward Doughtery & Son Building
This Italianate building was built in 1886 by Edward Doughtery. Following completion he moved his furniture and undertaking business, that he had started in 1873, into this location.
Around 1900 Doughtery moved his business again, this time to the south side of the Square. Unfortunately, on April 4, 1904, a disastrous fire burned the west half of the south side of the Square. Like other business owners Doughtery did his best to save his building. He was not successful. The fire took half of the south side and Mr. Doughtery’s life.
Around 1912 J. E. Benton set up the Scenic Moving Picture House here. The Scenic was just one of the several early moving picture theaters located in Albia during the early 1900’s. This shows the wealth that was generated by the coal mining industry.
The building also served as the office of the Albia Light and Railway Company until the late 80’s when they were purchased by Chariton Valley Rec. The light company operated a trolley car line in Albia during the early 1900’s.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Disasters • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is April 4, 1904.
Location. 41° 1.635′ N, 92° 48.418′ W. Marker is in Albia, Iowa, in Monroe County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street (Iowa Route 5) and East Benton Avenue (County Road H35), on the left when traveling south on North Main Street. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, just to the left of the front corner entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Benton Avenue East, Albia IA 52531, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Townsend's Corner Block (within shouting distance of this marker); J. C. Morrison Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Iowa Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); 8-10 South Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Seaman & Clark Building (within shouting distance of this marker); 14 South Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); W. H. Kreger Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Monroe County Civil War Monument (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albia.
Regarding Edward Doughtery & Son Building.
Unknown website: "The fire spread quickly because one fire engine was at the factory and the other in need of repairs. Before they could take refuge, two men, EDWARD DOUGHERY and RICHARD H. INGHAM, were buried in the debris of a falling brick wall. INGHAM was identified only by the church keys in his pockets. Three other men were critically injured. The Chariton Fire Department, hastily summoned, was delayed by blocking freight trains and did not reach town until 3 a.m. By then local "bucket brigades" had materially checked the flames, but the west half of the south side of the Albia square was razed with a property loss of $100,000."
Contributing property, Albia Square and Central Commercial Historic District, NRHP #85000007.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Albia Square and Central Commercial Historic District
Also see . . . Albia, IA Fire, Apr 1904. (Submitted on December 9, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 9, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.