I was at the office this morning and had a few minutes to spare and decided to start paging thru one of the books that the Globe Gazette published some years ago about the North Iowa and Mason City. Not that I’m so terribly nostalgic, but what I noticed the most was how well nearly all the buildings in the downtown were maintained. What surprised me the most, was how presentable the far north end buildings were at that time. The sad thing for me today is that I had an appointment in Manly this afternoon and found myself really looking at how much the “North End” has indeed changed.
Jacob E. Decker & Sons, 320 Fifteenth Street NE
Most people other than old natives don’t realize how and why that area of Mason City came into existence. Well, there were three factors. First there was Deckers Meat Packing Plant which was very large, second, there were the two monster cement plants on the far north end of Mason City. Hundreds of blue collar workers that supported that area of our city worked in those factories. Not only did they work there, they lived there and shopped there. Churches were built, schools were erected, and likely going south to the center of our city, became a journey into another city for the “north-enders”.
B & O District, North Fedeal Avenue
I am beginning to believe that we are selling ourselves to corporate America. Too many factories stand empty in our area. Seems everyone wants to buy cheap and not invest in local or American made. If we don’t take good care of our community and each other, who will? Let’s all take a stand in keeping Mason City and North Iowa on the map of prosperity. I have great faith in our community and I hope there are many others who feel the same.
Northwestern Portland Cement Company
Lehigh Portland Cement Plant
