We have been living so close to Earlham, IA for a while now, but
they haven't had a geocache there. We have placed a few which
rectifies that situation.
In 1853, Quaker families migrated from Indiana to settle in
this area. Before then, the only white inhabitants were trappers
and traders.
The town of Earlham dates its existence to the 1868
construction of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
through Iowa. Incorporated in 1870 with 222 citizens, Earlham was
to be a key depot between Des Moines and Omaha.
The town's name derives from the Earlham Hall of England,
home of prominent 19th century Quakers and from Earlham College, a
Friends school founded in 1847 in Richmond, Indiana.
Although Earlham did not become the rail hub envisioned by
its founders, it thrived as a limestone quarrying area and retail
center for the farming community. By 1879, three railcar loads of
limestone were shipped out of Earlham's quarries daily. The new
town boasted general stores, blacksmith shops, a bank, drug store,
hotel, butcher shop, restaurant, confectionary store and two
milliners.
The 1900's saw Earlham's growth continue. Phone service came
in 1902, electricity and municipal water in 1910. Auto dealerships
arrived in 1910 to coexist with the livery barns. A theater, opera
house and skating rink offered entertainment.
The father of famous actor John Wayne ran a drug and jewelry
store here. This store and Wayne's Earlham boyhood home stand
today.
Earlham's colorful past is preserved in the historic
storefronts on Chestnut Street and in the lovely Victorian and
Craftsman style homes gracing its residential streets.
Source:
http://www.earlham-ia.org/
Smile, You're In Earlham, IA
Placed by a member of the:
