Winterset in Madison County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
112 North 1st Avenue
circa 1874
T.S. Mardis constructed this building and most of the brick structures facing the square. Dry goods and boots and shoes were sold here in the 1880's. By the 1890's the first floor was a hardware store with a tin shop in the back. For the next 60 years, some of the hardware proprietors were Benge, Cummings, King, Mills, Shoemaker, Stroeber, and Kirkham.
The second floor was used as office space. During the mid-1930's the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) had a sewing room on the second floor. Fabric was supplied by the government and volunteers made clothing for the CCC workers.
From the 1960's until the present (2006) the building has been a jewelry and gift store. The leaves that originally topped the pilasters rusted, so about 1970, jeweler Gene Trask sculpted the faced that now adorn the pilasters.
Erected 2006 by Madison County Antique Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.
Location. 41° 20.096′ N, 94° 0.882′ W. Marker is in Winterset, Iowa, in Madison County. Marker is on 1st Avenue north of Court Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Building is on the west side of the courthouse square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 North 1st Avenue, Winterset IA 50273, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 110 North First Avenue (here, next to this marker); 114 North First Avenue (a few steps from this marker); 116 North 1st Avenue (a few steps from this marker); 108 North 1st Avenue (a few steps from this marker); 118 North 1st Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); 106 North 1st Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); 120-122 North 1st Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); 102 North 1st Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winterset.
Also see . . .
1. History of Madison County, Iowa. (Submitted on April 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Discover Madison County, Iowa. (Submitted on April 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 381 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.