Celebrating its 100th birthday, too

Well, I'm looking forward to social media images of the big celebratory sit-down dinner served yesterday on the square to mark the centennials of Hotel Charitone, the Chariton High School building and Chariton Rotary.

I thought until mid-week last, when my back started acting up, that I'd go up and take a look after church, then decided discretion was the better part of valor so just came home and stayed there. The open house at the museum Saturday morning went well, but I didn't want to push my luck.

Anyhow, while browsing newspaper files yesterday afternoon, I came across a brief article on the front page of The Herald-Patriot of Sept. 13, 1923, headlined "New Building on Main Street." 

We know the building, a half block south of the southwest corner of the square, as the Chariton Ford building and as it turns out 2023 is its centennial year, too. Although I've written extensively about the histories of buildings around the square, a date for this one had eluded me --- until now.

Historically, this quarter block had been the site of livery stables until the 1920s. The Hatcher House hotel was just to the north on the corner of Court Avenue and Main. And the fire station always has been just across the street to the west.

The Yengel brothers, Fred and Bert, operated a meat market facing the square in the Kubitshek Block, which had replaced the Hatcher House, and acquired the livery stable site when horseless carriages made the horse-powered variety redundant. They tore the dilapidated stable buildings down and then built this structure in their place.

Chariton Ford condensed its operations recently in Albia and there's been no sign of activity here for some time although promises were made concerning a service operation when the dealership moved. We'll see.

Here's the story about the building:

+++

There is to be another substantial brick block on South Main street. The work was begun yesterday and is being put up by Yengel Bros.

Some time ago, they began the erection of a building 20x80 for the bakery of C. R. Shelton on the lot next to the alley. Later, they contracted with John Frazier, on lease, for a room 40x80 feet, to be used in his automobile business, and will also build a room in between this and the new bakery, which has not yet been leased, but several parties want it. This will make a structure 82.5x80 feet, which will form a most substantial improvement.

The foundation walls are to be built heavy and another story may be added later, should the demand require it. It is most gratifying to note these building enterprises. Chariton is a prosperous town and its continued growth is assured as the surrounding resources are developed.