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.