OLD OTRANTO GENERAL STORE had a dance hall on the second floor, and living quarters.

The signs of time are evident at the little village of Otranto, population 47, located in the northern part of Mitchell county along the banks of the Cedar river.

It was formerly known as "Bartlett's Grove," after Mary Bartlett who platted it in 1877. The village was organized in 1878. After the railroad was built through, the town acquired the name of Otranto Station.

Otranto had been a lively village, but in the past few years it has become almost a vanishing town from the business standpoint,

OTRANTO POST OFFICE, one of the smallest ones in North Iowa, closed in 1965.

since the depot, post office, locker plant, hatchery and produce, school, garage, and grocery store have closed, leaving active only the Otranto Community church and the Elevator. A new grocery store was built by Doyle Wilder, opening in December, 1970. This helped liven up the town again. The previous grocery owner died about three years ago.

The only other activity is at the Otranto Community Park which provides much recreation during the summer for campers, picnicers and boaters.

OTRANTO'S FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE was located in the northwest part of the village on land owned at that time by Andrew Wilder.

When the post office closed in 1965, a rural carrier from St. Ansgar brought mail to Otranto. After the store closed a milk truck delivered milk to the homes.

The last passenger train through Otranto was in the 1930's and new only freights pass through on the short-cut from Mason City to the Twin Cities. Harry Dockstader was the depot agent, coming there in 1914. He was on duty to see the last passenger ticket sold. He was also postmaster at the time the postoffice closed in 1965.

Otranto's second school house was erected in 1916 and was

OLD OTRANTO DEPOT AND ELEVATOR both were silent for many years until the elevator opened for business again just a few years ago.

in constant use for 50 years, closing in 1966. The old wooden two-story school is still standing on its original site in the northwest part of Otranto, and one of the first teachers was Carrie Wilder. Attorney William H. Salisbury, now deceased, of Osage, was also one of the early teachers there.

Otranto in its early says could boast a flour mill, blacksmith shop, saloon, drug store, hotel, furniture dealer, hardware, veterinarian, lumber yard and a dance hall.

Source: Mitchell County Press-News, March 18, 1971

Transcribed by Neal Du Shane

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