Indianola in Warren County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

124 West Ashland

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021

1. 124 West Ashland Marker

Inscription. Twenty-one years after Indianola was incorporated, this building was erected by A.J. Little, a respected druggist who had already been well established in the Indianola community. Mr. William Schooley practiced law on the second floor here as well as ran the Indianola Printing Company which printed many of the city and county newspapers of the time including the Warren County Leader, the People's Advocate and the Indianola Tribune.

In 1886 the first floor became the third home of Liston's Book Store which sold toys, hammocks, sporting goods as well as college textbooks. It was at this location that George Washington Carver purchased books while attending Simpson College. It wasn't until 1897 that W.A. Liston moved his store for the last time nine doors to the east.

By the time the streets around the square were paved in 1903 (see photo above) Watson Brothers Grocery had moved in. The storefront remained a grocery under various names through the early 1940's. A series of pool halls followed until the 1970's when Harry H. Livental began practicing osteopathic medicine here. Upon retiring after 23 years of service to the community,

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this building has been home to many different businesses meeting the ever-changing needs of the citizens of Indianola.

Erected by Warren County Philanthropic Partnership; Girl Scouts Troop 225; and Mary Donaghy Insurance. (Marker Number 813.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 41° 21.687′ N, 93° 33.724′ W. Marker is in Indianola, Iowa, in Warren County. It is on West Ashland Avenue west of North Howard Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, on the left/west corner of the front façade. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 124 West Ashland Avenue, Indianola IA 50125, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Des Moines.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was

Marker detail: Watson Brothers Grocery image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Watson Brothers Grocery

once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 122 West Ashland (here, next to this marker); 126 West Ashland (a few steps from this marker); 120 West Ashland (a few steps from this marker); 118 West Ashland (a few steps from this marker); 116 West Ashland (within shouting distance of this marker); 104 West Ashland (within shouting distance of this marker); 102 West Ashland (within shouting distance of this marker); 100 West Ashland (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianola.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Warren County Courthouse Square

Also see . . . George Washington Carver at Simpson College.

During 1890 to 1891, Simpson College, located in Indianola, Iowa was endowed by Matt Simpson, a friend of Abraham Lincoln and an advocate of equal rights for all men. Carver, therefore, was accepted and allowed to attend Simpson College where he completed one year. Carver was one of the
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021

3. 124 West Ashland Storefront
(marker is mounted at far left corner)
first African American students to attend Simpson College. Art Professor Etta Budd encouraged Carver to transfer to Iowa State because she thought an African American man could have a better career with a science background rather than an art background. Carver took Budd’s advice and transferred to Iowa State because Carver wanted to help African Americans in the south by teaching the southern African Americans the new scientific techniques of the time.

(Submitted on January 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

124 West Ashland Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021

4. 124 West Ashland Avenue

Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 308 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.