1956 Directory Introduction 

The Information in this Directory Is gathered by an actual canvass and is compiled in a way to insure
maximum accuracy.

Five Major Departments
The five major departments are arranged in the following order:—

I. THE YELLOW PAGES constitute the first major department of the Directory. This embraces a
complete list of the names and addresses of the business and professional concerns of the city, arranged
in alphabetical order under appropriate headings—a catalog of all the activities of the city. Preceding this
catalog, likewise grouped under appropriate headings, are the advertisements and business cards of
firms and individuals desiring to present a more complete list of their products or services than is possible
in the catalog itself. The Yellow Pages represent reference advertising at its best, and merit the attention
of all buyers and sellers seeking sources of supply or markets for goods. In a busy and diversified
community like Clinton, the necessity of having this kind of information up-to-date and always immediately
available, is obvious. The Directory is the common intermediary between buyer and seller, and plays an
important role in the daily activities of the commercial, industrial and professional world.

II. THE ALPHABETICAL LIST OF NAMES of residents and business and professional concerns is
the second major department, printed on white paper. This is the only record in existence that aims to
show the name, marital status, occupation and address of each adult resident of Clinton, and the name,
official personnel, nature and address of each firm and corporation in the city.

III. THE DIRECTORY OF HOUSEHOLDERS, INCLUDING STREET AND AVENUE GUIDE, is the
third major department, printed on pink paper. In this section the numbered streets are arranged in
numerical order followed by the named streets in alphabetical order; the numbers of the residences and
business concerns are arranged in numerical order under the name of each street, and the names of the
householders and concerns are placed opposite the numbers. The names of the intersecting streets
appear at their respective crossing points on each street. Special features of this section are the
designation of tenant-owned homes and the designation of homes and places of business having
telephones.

IV. THE NUMERICAL TELEPHONE DIRECTORY, covering Clinton is the fourth major department,
printed on blue paper.

V. The CLINTON RURAL ROUTES DIRECTORY is the fifth major department, printed on white
paper.

Statistical Review

Form of Government—-Mayor-City Council. Incorporated as a city in 1855.

Population—Last official U. S. Census report, 30,379 (1950 U. S. Census); local estimate at present,
33,500. White population of age: Males, 9,996; females, 10,512. Total colored population 225. Total
number 3f males in city, 14,831; females, 15,548. American-born population is 95.8% of the whole.
Predominating nationalities of foreign-born residents: German, Danish and Canadian.

Area—1O square miles.

Altitude—593 feet above sea level.

Climate—Mean annual temperature 53 degrees F.; average annual rainfall 37.34 inches.

Parks—11, with total acreage of 254.86, valued at $350,000.

Assessed Valuation—$34,897,0 15.

Bonded Debt—$1,355,000; school, $691,463.35.

Financial Data—3 banks with total deposits of $396,827,458 for year 1955; total resources of
$436,424,358 on Jan. 1, 1956; and clearings of $286,699,130 for year 1955. 1 building and loan
association, with total assets of $7,041,498 on Dec. 1, 1955.

Postal Receipts—$466,635.77 for year ended 1955.

Telephones in Service—13,986.

Churches—40, representing 20 denominations.

Building and Construction—Number of building permits issued 1,064, valued at $9,446,160, in 1955.

Real Estate—Number of transfers 1,502, in 1955. Number of homes 9,571, with about 88.25%
owned by occupants.

Industry—Chief industries of the city and surrounding territory: Clinton Corn Processing Co., E. I.
DuPont de Nemours & Co., Curtis Companies Inc., Clinton Garment Co., Collis Co. and Pillsbury Mills
Inc. Number of manufacturing establishments 70, employing 7,000 men and paying wages of
$28,000,000 annually. Principal manufactured products— Corn syrups, starch, lactic acid, etc.,
cellophane, wood doors, blinds, etc., dresses, wire products, stock and poultry feeds.

Trade Area—Retail area has radius of 25-40 miles, and population of 145,000. Wholesale area has
radius of 25-40 miles, and population of 145,000 (estimated).

Newspapers—1, daily.

Radio Broadcasting Stations—1, KROS.

Hotels—3, with total of 280 rooms.

Railroads—City served by 4 railroads, C. & N. W. Ry., C. M. St. P. & Pac. Ry., C. R. I. & P. Ry. and
C. B. & Q. Ry.

Bus Lines—City served by 4 intra-city bus lines: Continental, Greyhound, M. D. & C. Bus Co. and
Scenic Stage Line.

Highways—U. S. 30, U. S. 67 and Iowa R 136.
Air Lines—1, Ozark.
Airports——1, commercial.
Automobile Registrations—1 7,971 (county).
Amusements——3 moving picture theatres with seating capacity of 2,200 persons; 2 golf courses.
Other amusement features baseball, tennis courts, swimming pool, fishing, hunting and bowling.
Hospitals—3, with total of 700 beds.

Education—Jr. College, Mt. St. Clare Academy and Jr. College, Our Lady of Angels Academy for
girls. Number of public schools 16, with 2 junior colleges, 1 senior high school and 2 junior high schools.
Number of parochial schools 8. Number of pupils in public schools, 5,270; in parochial schools 1,739.
Number of teachers in public schools 219; in parochial schools, 39. Value of public school property,
$2,099,000.
Public Libraries—2, with total of 51,651 volumes.
City Statistics—Total street mileage 122, with 73 miles paved. Miles of gas mains 100.11; sewers
(storm and sanitary) 721/2 miles; city bus lines, 5. Number of water meters 8,368; light meters, 9,799; gas
meters, 8,612. Capacity of water works, 13,250,000 gallons, with daily average pumpage of 3,500,000
gallons. Fire department has 34 paid men, with 3 stations and 6 pieces of motor equipment. Value of fire
department $100,000. Police department has 30 men, with 1 station and 8 pieces of motor equipment.
Birth rate 1,352; death rate 548 (1955).

GENERAL REVIEW
Clinton, well known as the eastern gateway of Iowa for agriculture, industry and business meet,
presents a modern balanced city with the color of a historical past.
New York was the name originally given to Clinton by John M. Bartlet who operated a store trading
mostly with the Indians. In 1855, the Iowa Land Company, a promotional concern, acquired the site and
replated it naming it after DeWitt, Clinton, a one time governor of New York.
In the early 1880's Clinton was recognized as the largest lumber producing city in the world.
Woodworking plants naturally followed the sawmills and Clinton became a very important center for
furniture and woodwork. As the supply of lumber in the north woods gave out, the interests of the lumber
people turned to railroading. The city then turned its attention to trading, manufacturing, agriculture and
retailing.
The expansion of railroad facilities particularly the Chicago and Northwestern and the establishment
of other factories brought about a complete change in the life of the city.
Clinton is now a city of varied industries and businesses furnishing year around employment to
approximately 7,000 persons in over 70 industries and 3,000 persons in 700 businesses.

Agriculture
Clinton County in which Clinton is the county seat is famous for its prize beef. Year in and year out,
Clinton County Cattlefeeders take top prizes at the International Stock Show in Chicago. Clinton is 4th
among 37 Iowa Counties which dominate a ranking 200 counties in the nation leading in gross farm
income. These 37 Iowa Counties constitute 18'/2% of the top 200 counties in the United States. This high
ranking has proved that Clinton County is a leader in agriculture. With 37 inches of rainfall annually and
with an abundance of rich black soil, Clinton Co. has never known a crop failure. The net result is the
farmer's buying power remains steady and is important in the cities over-all economy.

Industry
Drawn upon the vast resources of agriculture and many strategic distributing advantages, Clinton
has gained prominence as a manufacturing city. Ideal labor conditions as well as wholesome enjoyable
living conditions are inviting to both capital and labor. Clinton Corn Processing Co., manufacturing
products from corn; E. I. Dupont de Nemours & Co. Inc., manufacturing cellophane; Curtis Co. Inc.,
builders of millwork; Pillsbury Mills Inc., feed and soybeans; Cinton Garment Co., are among the leading
Clinton Industries along with a great number of manufacturers producing Clinton made goods for a world
wide sale. Among them are such institutions as W. Atlee Burpee Co., Central Steel & Tube Co., City
Products Corp., Climax & Pump Mfg. Co., Clinton Bridge Corp., Division of Allied Structural Steel Co.,
Clinton Manufacturing Co., Clinton Wire Cloth Co., Dairypak Inc., Hill Wood Products, Iowa Machine
Works, Kelly Chair Co., Lubbers & Bell Mfg., Maqucketa Co., Sanitary Farm Dairies, Swift & Co., and
Warren Supply Co.
Clinton invites new industry to investigate our ideal location. The Clinton Industrial Development Co.
is available to give complete and specific attention to your inquiries.

Business
Modern is the word for Clinton business firms who are constantly on the alert to provide shoppers
with all new trends and ideas in merchandise. Large spacious new store buildings provide the finest
facilities for the convenience of out of city buyers looking for articles and services not available in their
home community. Wide streets handle the traffic flow efficiently and three big parking areas each within a
block of the shopping district provide some 650 free parking stalls.
The new 6 million dollar Gateway Bridge across the Mississippi River at Clinton, now open to traffic
brings many residents from near by Illinois communities to Clinton stores. Business is good in Clinton.
Clinton's 410 retail stores of all kinds employing 2,193 people with an annual sales volume of
$41,000,000 shows Clinton 10th in total sales among Iowa cities.
Clinton's 51 wholesale outlets employing over 250 people has an annual business of $14,268,000.
Clinton also has 166 selected service outlets employing over 476 people with a total business of
over $3,000,000 annually.

Educational and Cultural Advantages
The city public school system consists of 12 public grade schools, kindergarten through 6th grade, 2
Jr. High Schools, 7th through 9th grade. 1 Senior High School 10th through
12th grade and 1 Jr. College.
The Board of Education in Clinton realizes a need for an intelligent analysis of the Clinton Public
School system and progressive development of new facilities. A survey was made of the Clinton School
program in Nov. 1951 by the committee on Field Services, Dept. of Education, University of Chicago.
Since this report was published the following improvements have been made to the public school build-
ings at a total cost of $2,990,000. The new Lincoln School was completed in 1953 for Kindergarten and
grades 1 to 3 inclusive. The new Horace Mann School, completed in 1953 for Kindergarten and grades 1
through 6 inclusive. The new Kirkwood School completed in 1954 for Kindergarten through 3 inclusive.
The new Elijah Buell School now under construction for Kindergarten through 6th, and the new Henry
Sabin School now under construction for Kindergarten and grades 1 through 6 inclusive. The new
Jefferson School completed in 1953 was built as an addition to Washington Jr. High School for
Kindergarten and Grades 1 through 6 inclusive.
The Parochial School System consists of 5 Catholic Grade Schools, 1 Lutheran grade school, i
Catholic High School, Mt. St. dare Girls Academy and Jr. College and Our Lady Of Angel's Academy for
girls. A. recent $75,000 addition to the St. Patricks School and a $70,000 addition to the St. Ireneaus
School has further increased the facilities of the parochial system. The new $1,000,000 mother house for
the Sisters of St. Francis at Mt. St. Clare College was recently completed. This new modern 4 story brick
and steel constructure consists of 43,000 sq. feet and will house 99 nuns and novites and is taking part of
a long range plan expansion program. The new building will make possible College and Academy
expansion in the way of classrooms, faculty offices, laboratories and nursing program facilities. It will also
expand the resident for college and academy students.

Clinton is a community of 40 churches. The strongest denomination in the city at the present are the
Lutherans, Roman Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians and Congregationalists in that order. The great
number of churches indicates the good quality of Christian life. This is reflected in the friendly and helpful
spirit that exists in the community.

Two free public libraries serve the community with a total volume of 51,651 books. Stations are
maintained at Jane Lamb and Mercy Hospitals, Mt. Alverno and Sarah Harding Homes, and 130
classroom libraries in 17 schools within the community. --One of the outstanding services of the library is
the weekly story hour for children from Oct. through May and the special reading club for children each
summer.

Around the Y. W. C. A. and the Y. M. C. A. are built programs for hundreds of Clinton youths and
adults. Included in the Y. M. C. A. program are year around swimming instructions, camping programs,
annual trips to points of educational and recreational interests, regular gym classes, basket and volleyball
league. Blueprints for a completed $375,000 addition await Board approval. The Y. W. C. A. year round
program includes recreational facilities such as tennis courts, gym, dancing room, a basketball team was
sponsored and bridge lessons and charm classes are offered through out the year. A nursery is also
maintained for preschool children with a nominal fee charged. Boy and Girl Scout organizations enjoy a
large membership in Clinton and provide well organized programs for the youthful enthusiasts. These
social agencies are members of the United Fund ranging up to a $105,000 a year. The activities of the
High School and Jr. College, excellent air-conditioned first run theatres, a drive-in theatre, community
concert series, and community symphony orchestra offers a well rounded cultural life in the city where
Agriculture, Industry and Business meet.
One of the finer city park systems in the midwest highlights Clinton's varied and ample recreational
facilities. All told Clinton has over 250 acres in parks with excellent equipment available for the use of
children and adults. Riverpark includes a huge 90,000 municipal swimming pool which had an attendance
of 80,000 last year, tennis courts, Little and Pony League Stadium and fields, softball and baseball
facilities for amateur play, flower gardens and a lighted sprayed fountain as well as a beautiful maintained
drive along the river bank which is approximately the length of the city. Eagle Point Park with amazing
natural beauty and incomparable view of the mighty Mississippi offers unparalleled charm. Included are
picnic facilities and children's playground equipment and a city dance hall. The Mighty Mississippi River is
a wonderful facility itself offering exciting thrills for boating and fishing enthusiast with ample dock facilities
available.

Clinton is the home of the Clinton Pirates of the Class D Baseball League, providing professional
baseball thrills in a beautiful baseball stadium constructed at a cost of $200,000. The Clinton Pirates are a
farm team of the Pittsburg Pirates National League.
The community enjoys two excellent golf courses. The Country Club has a beautiful 18 hole golf
course with an excellent club house no more than a 10 minute drive from any point in the city. The
Kiwanis Golf Course is a municipal golf course located on the bluff with a small club house. It is open to
the public.

There is one public bowling alley available for open and league bowling which has 12 alleys. In
addition the Curtis Co. has a private alley and facilities for its employee personnel, and the Odeon Club
has a bowling alley available to its members only.

Using all these recreational facilities the city hires a full time director who operates a year round
recreational program especially designed for the youngsters of the community.

Government
Clinton's city and County Government are forward looking and progressive. A new $350,000 bond
issue has been initiated for street improvements and new lighting for the business district. This new issue,
the largest single bond issue in the city history is typical of the progressive thinking and planning being
initiated by the city government. Fire, Police, Street and Sanitary Dept. have been improved with added
personnel and new equipment. One of the newest pieces of equipment is the new Cadillac Ambulance
which was purchased by extra Centennial Funds and given to the city. Adequate power and water
facilities have been developed for the city by independent utility corp. Twice a week garbage collection is
maintained throughout the year with no per can charge. Modern packing type trucks collect the garbage
with disposal by the sanitary fill method. Several new additions have been planned and streets and
utilities extensions made. Since 1949 there has been a total of approximately 1,064 new homes
constructed in Clinton at a cost of $9,446,169. Estimated population is now 33,500 within the city limits.
Estimated population within a ten mile radius is 50,000. The city's present bonded indebtedness is only
$582,000 due to be erased by 1964. With all the progressive improvements through the years the
financial position has remained sound. The Clinton Chamber of Commerce is located in a comfortable
suite of rooms on the corner of 6th and 3rd in the Tucker Bldg. in downtown Clinton. 766 individuals and
firms belong to the Clinton Chamber of Commerce. It has a staff of three people and serves two affiliated
corporations, The Clinton Development Corp., and the Clinton Traffic Assoc. Inquiries about industrial or
commercial opportunities are welcome and should be addressed to M. R. Lackore, Executive Director,
Clinton Chamber of Commerce, Tucker Bldg.