Developments from 1870-1922

It was our original intention to give an unbroken account of the commercial and
industrial development of Pella from the beginning in 1847 up to the present
time. But the fact that no newspaper files or other recorded history from 1870
to 1911 were available, we were compelled to forego our first intention, and to
cover that period by a brief narrative in which we have tried to give the most
important events from memory, and from information furnished by some of our
older residents.

One of the most important business buildings erected in the earlier years was
the three-story business block at the corner of Main and Franklin streets. Part
of this was recently torn down and replaced by the new Farmers' National bank
building. For many years this was known as Fisher's Block, it having been built
in 1866 by Wm. Fisher, better known to old residents as "Squire Fisher."

On the 18th day of April, 1871, a destructive fire occurred which totally
destroyed the large warehouse of Snow & Huber in South Pella. The same year was
marked by one of the most severe storms that ever visited Pella. This occurred
on Sunday evening, June 18, 1871. Tom Wray at that time lived at the corner of
Liberty and East First street, in the house now occupied by Nick Van Haaften. He
had just built a new barn where Arie Weelard's garage was recently destroyed by
fire. This new building was blown to kindling wood. Many other buildings were
more or less damaged and great havoc wrought to shade trees, fences, etc. A few
miles east of town a dwelling was lifted from its foundation and set down in a
nearby cornfield.

In January, 1872, a destructive fire totally destroyed all the frame business
buildings on Franklin street, from the C. Rhynsburger store to the present
location of the Farmers' National Bank. The fire started in the building just
west of Rhynshurger's, where H. H. Klinne had a general store. Others who lost
their property and business in this fire were: C. Bongers, H. Hoist, H. Van
Vliet, Stubenrauch & Gaass, Ads. Gerritson, H. Synhorst, and G. Vander Zyl.

An early scene on East Franklin Street now occupied by fine brick structures.
The young man standing against the post, is P. G. Gaass.