History of Glenwood

Artifacts have been discovered in Southwest Iowa, which are identical to those used by the ancient Zuni and Hopi Indians of New Mexico and Arizona. Excavations of ancient lodge sites in Mills County show evidence that different tribes of Indians inhabited this area for thousands of years. The Indians who settled here 1200 years ago were farmers, as traces of corn, beans and squash were excavated from campsites found under layers of earth. Many of the artifacts found in this area can be seen at the Mills County Museum located at the Glenwood Lake Park.

Keg Creek is one of the creeks flowing through Glenwood. On early maps of this area, Keg Creek was called Five-Barrel Creek. It is said the U.S. Dragoons found five barrels of illegal whiskey buried in the banks, presumably to trade with the Indians. The first bridge over Keg Creek was built of logs by the Mormon settlers and was located at what is now the intersection of Walnut and Green Streets. This is now the site of the City Maintenance Garage and the City Ball Field.

In April 1848, Libeus Coon, Silas Hilman, Ira Hilman, William Brittan, and G.N. Clark found a suitable location on Keg Creek and started the town of Coonsville (which comprised what is now the southern part of the city.) Dr. Coon entered a claim for the land that comprised the town. He did not have it surveyed, but laid out a small plat and made no effort to develop the town. The first house was a log cabin built on the northeast corner of the town site. The main street was Locust Street, starting at Sharp Street and going south.

One of the early settlers to develop an interest here was Joseph Coolidge, who came to Coonsville in 1849. He came to this area to start a grist and saw mill on Keg Creek. This mill, known as Gordon’s Mill, was unsuccessful and was sold. Mr. Coolidge then bought a stock of general merchandise that he sold to emigrants who were passing through this region. The location of his General Store was at the modern intersection of Sharp and Locust Streets (where the Lincoln Amoco Station is currently located.)

An important factor in the establishment of Glenwood was the discovery of gold in California. The business of supplying and outfitting gold seekers furnished employment for many in this area. Many gold seekers became tired of the hard journey and settled down to make permanent homes in Mills County. Many came back after the gold rush, remembering the rich farmland.

Mormons populated most of this area, but when most of them left for Utah in 1852, thinks got sticky. Col. Joseph L. Sharpe came to town from Virginia at eh close of the Mexican War acting as "roving representative" for 30 counties in Southwest Iowa. He convinced Coolidge to buy all of Coonsville with the idea of making it the county seat. Sharpe and Coolidge, along with two other speculators named Tyson and Sivers, took advantage of a provision at the U.S. Land office that allowed them to purchase unvacated land for the purpose of establishing a town. In 1853, the name of the town and post office were changed from Coonsville to Glenwood (with Coolidge serving as postmaster.) Sharpe’s wife, Matilda, is credited for changing the name of the town. The town square was also created at this time, undoubtedly since Oliver Tyson owned the corner lots, and as County Judge, was responsible for locating the county seat in Glenwood. In 1854, when the Nebraska Territory was created, Sharpe was in the first Territorial Legislature.

The first court held in Mills County was presided over by Judge James Sloan Elected on April 7, 1851. Court convened in October 1851. No place could be found to hold court until Mr. Coolidge offered his store. It is said that a keg of whiskey was always on tap for court proceedings. In 1853, Judge Hiram Bennett entered land to be reserved for building a permanent courthouse. While Oliver N. Tyson was County Judge in 1856, $40,000 was borrowed from the Swamp Land Fund and was used to build the first courthouse on the square. A Mr. Cooper, living in the northeast part of the county, quarried the stone used for the building on his farm. He hauled it to town by ox team. The brick used in the building was made in one of the several brickyards, which opened here.

People used the courthouse for any purpose they chose. A militia company was organized there. They drilled and sometimes ate and slept there. All festivals, ice cream socials, oyster suppers, dances, and political meetings were held there. Sometimes there were church revival meetings. In 1861, the board of supervisors adopted a resolution to prohibit use of the courthouse for "social balls and dancing parties because such events are in conflict with the buildings governmental purposes."

The main line of the Burlington Railroad went down the Lake Park Road and Railroad Avenue until it was moved in 1913 and apparently passed through property on Nuckolls street. The original depot is now a private house. The last spike of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad was driven in Glenwood and marked the completion of the line across Iowa.

Pamphlets were written to influence people from the eastern states and Europe to settle in western Iowa. Such a pamphlet contained information about the cost of starting a farm. Some land sold for as little as $1.25 to $2.50 an acre.

The outfit could cost:

Team of horses or oxen	$150.00 to $300.00
Wagon and yolk or harness	$100.00 to $150.00
Plow	$ 20.00 to $ 30.00
Cultivator and Harrow	$ 20.00 to $ 40.00
Other implement	$ 10.00 to $ 20.00

In 1866, the general assembly established a Soldier’s Orphans Home in Glenwood for orphaned children of Civil War soldiers. During the next few years, several hundred children were cared for at the home. Billy Sunday, a big league baseball player and famous evangelist, was raised here. In 1876, the few remaining orphans were moved to Davenport and facilities were converted into a school for the mentally handicapped. The Glenwood State Hospital School has been a major employer in the community for many years.

In 1880, the first Glenwood Telephone Exchange Company started with 13 telephones. This company was sold in 1883 to the Union Telephone Company, which was later bought out by Northwestern Bell. The first operators memorized the numbers of the customers since the calls were placed by names. Later, numbers were given.

A public library for Glenwood was the result of plans made by the Women’s Club. This organization started a library, cared for and supported it for several years. Mr. M.J. Martin of Pacific City left $5,000 to help buy a lot and erect a building. Later, Mr. Martin left money to help buy books. In 1903, seven thousand dollars was obtained from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation for the building with the stipulation that the city raise seven thousand dollars a year for upkeep. By 1907, the building was completed and Women’s club turned the books and materials it had collected for eleven years over to the city.

The first school in Coonsville was started in 1851 in a log building in the town. The cabin was 10 by 12 feet with a low slab roof and stood on Locust Street between Coolidge and Sharp Streets. The land for the first permanent school building in Glenwood was purchased for $175.00 in 1857. A brick building was built on the land east of the 1^st Congregational Church at a cost of $2,700. While the school building was under construction, classes were held at the Congregational Church. This was sometimes an unpleasant experience because the basement of the church was also used for processing pork. The headmaster was Daniel H. Solomon, a graduate of Yale College and a very prominent man in the Community.

Mills County was once a famous apple-growing center. In September 1895, an apple carnival was held. Trains brought visitors from far and near. They were met at the depot by a band and there were displays on the square. It was thought that 5,000 to 8,000 people enjoyed the celebration. Glenwood had several apple-packing plants and one company that made barrels. But due to blight and pests, the orchards were destroyed. Glenwood later had a canning factory where tomatoes were the main produce canned.

Some people feel the Keg Creek Days is a spin off from the Apple Carnival. In 1952, the first 100 years of Glenwood’s incorporation were celebrated (1852-1952.) Many special activities were held to celebrate such as a parade, reunions, basket lunches, shooting events, hot air balloon displays, old time fashion shows, carnivals, etc. The whole town was involved in the festivities. The Keg Creek Days were started again when Iowa had the Sesquicentennial in 1996. Glenwood has made it a tradition to celebrate Keg Creek Days every year and the celebration has grown over the past few years. This is a time when Glenwood residents can look back on the history of this area and appreciate what a wonderful town Glenwood is.

Glenwood "Firsts"

Streets in Glenwood named for Early Settlers

Excerpts for this historical summary of Glenwood were taken from:
"Early History of Mills County and Glenwood, Iowa" by Ryan Roenfeld
"Local History" by Geraldine Fickel