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

112 North Howard

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021

1. 112 North Howard Marker

Inscription. This building was the first building constructed on the square. It was originally a two-story double-front building (see also 110 North Howard). Its first residents were the Barker & Johnson dry goods store on the first floor and J.N. Richey's photograph gallery on the second. Barker and Johnson remained at this location until their partnership dissolved in 1898. After that the Best Taylor & Company clothing store moved in to this half of the double-front while G.E. Johnson continued selling dry goods solo next door.

As Indianola continued to expand both in size and commerce small independent companies were replaced with chain stores. One of the first of such companies, The Leader Store (A Graham's Chain of Department Stores) held its grand opening in October 1910. The Leader remained here through the Great Depression and finally closed its doors in 1934.

For little over a year after the Baker Variety Store resided here until its successor the R.M. Harrison Company opened on June 27, 1936 (see photo above). Harrison's survived a massive fire that decimated the second floor of three buildings on February 20, 1941 and remained

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

at this address for another 15 years. In 1956, Harrison's moved down the block to its present location at 124/126 North Howard.

The building was vacant for a brief time until the People's Bank decided to expand their facilities to include this property thus removing the 112 address from the map forever.

Erected by Warren County Philanthropic Partnership; Girl Scouts Troop 225; and Harrison's. (Marker Number 1212-B.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 41° 21.649′ N, 93° 33.65′ W. Marker is in Indianola, Iowa, in Warren County. It is on North Howard Street north of East Salem Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, on the left/north corner of the front façade. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 North Howard Street, 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

Marker detail: R.M. Harrison Company Storefront image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: R.M. Harrison Company Storefront

in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was 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: 114 North Howard (here, next to this marker); 110 North Howard (here, next to this marker); 116 North Howard (a few steps from this marker); 108 North Howard (a few steps from this marker); 106 North Howard (a few steps from this marker); 118 North Howard (a few steps from this marker); 120 North Howard (within shouting distance of this marker); 122 North Howard (within shouting distance of this marker). 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

112 North Howard Storefront image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021

3. 112 North Howard Storefront

(marker is mounted on left/north corner)

112 North Howard Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021

4. 112 North Howard Street

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 161 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 15, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.