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McGregor’s HPC

had a busy, colorful year in 2011

By Lucy Rodenberg

McGregor’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) reviewed its activities for the past year at a recent meeting. Everyone agreed that the foremost accomplishment was responding to the request of McGregor resident Dan Davies.

The Commission helped Davies to select historically accurate colors for the front of the White Wash Laundromat that he and his wife, Debbie, own and operate. Due to a large broken front window that had been vandalized some time before, Davies decided to repaint the whole front of the building along with the replacement of the windows. The upper part of the building was also painted along with the building adjacent to the laundromat, which also received the same vintage paint at the top and around the windows.

Along the same line, Dr. Jim Arvidson, who began work on his building’s front façade last year, also spoke with a Commission member to get suggestions for colors for his building. Samples from a palette of historically accurate colors can be seen at City Hall.

The HPCA also conducted a ‘windshield survey,’ or inventory, that included more than 100 buildings in various sections of town. This included present names of owners (also historical names if the building had one), and the date of when buildings were built and if it might qualify for the National Register of Historic Places.

The HPC did a Community-Wide Survey requesting input from residents about what they felt could be done to preserve the town’s history, and the results were shared with the public. In honor of National Historic Preservation Month last May, the group also held an Open House to supply interested parties with information on what property owners could do to preserve the historic integrity of their buildings.

Members participated in a workshop that offered ‘hands-on’ experience in researching a particular building they chose as they learned how to assist property owners interested in listing their property on the National Register of Historic Places.

The HPC is currently planning special activities for May to recognize National Historic Preservation Month 2012 and setting goals for this year. Those interested in learning more, or requesting assistance from the HPC, can contact City Hall at 873-3795.

White Wash Laundromat—before. a board cover a portion of the front window that had been broken. (Photos by Lucy Rodenberg)

At right: White Wash laundromat after remodeling of the front window, decorative mouldings and a paint job featuring historically-accurate colors suggested by the McGregor Historical Preservation Committee.

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Gov. Terry Branstad met with residents of Clayton County on May 8 in Elkader.

Governor Branstad

visits Clayton County

Story and photos by
Pat McTaggert

Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds were in Clayton County May 8 to meet county residents in a Town Hall setting at Johnson’s restaurant in Elkader. The pair explained their plan for permanent property tax relief and then answered questions from the audience.

“Property taxes in Iowa have been too high for too long,” Branstad said. “This is especially true with commercial taxes, which is an impediment for growth in the state. We need to address and limit all classes of property taxes, and we are making several changes to help do this. Hopefully, the end is in sight. We are making compromises in the legislature with both parties, and the house passed our compromise bill May 7. It is estimated that property taxes will increase by $2 billion in the next eight years if our bill isn’t passed by the senate.”

Branstad said lower commercial property taxes will encourage small businesses to take risks and expand. “We need permanent long term property tax relief,” he said. “We have built in five years of state revenue to replace those property taxes if they are lowered, and we have strong bi-partisan support for this.”

Lt. Gov. Reynolds told the audience that business owners look for stability and predictability. “We tried to address a lot of local concerns in our bill,” she added. “I believe that both Democrats and Republicans think that passing the bill is the right thing to do.”

A question was raised concerning the lack on internet service in many rural areas. “That’s critically important,” Branstad said. “We have hired a new Chief Information Officer, and we are trying to put together a plan that will get high speed internet service to rural areas that do not have it. We can also perhaps offer the Iowa Communication Network as a public utility to help in this.”

Concerning IPERS and education, Branstad said “our retirement system is about 80 percent, better than most but not perfect. It’s not fully funded today, but that can be corrected. It’s not going to go broke.”

“We have to honor the commitment that has been made,” Reynolds added.

“As for education the only way to opt out of ‘No Child Left Behind’ is to pass comprehensive education reform,” Branstad said. “Part of that reform is intensive early child reading to help kids and provide resources for reading in the early years.”

“I believe in doing things on a pay-as-you-go system,” Branstad said. “We can’t spend more than we take in. We need to have an honest budget and we need to pass a biennial budget so we know where we are at instead of under funding programs and then going back and asking for more.”

The Iowa Senate adjourned May 9 without passing the Branstad-Reynolds comprehensive property tax relief plan.

Marquette City Hall

once housed

the fire station

By Lucy Rodenberg

In the 1890’s the North McGregor (Marquette) City Hall was located on a small building on the north side of North Street between a restaurant and a hotel. That building, along with the hotel and restaurant, was destroyed by a fire sometime between 1890 and 1906 (see photo, page 3).

Marquette’s City Council, according to early city council minutes, received two bids July 16, 1912 to construct a building that would be used as a city hall. Christ Wingen’s bid was accepted by the Council with a change in the original contract that stated the height of the second floor of the building be 12 feet; this was changed to 11 feet. It was also recorded that the floor of the first floor would have no concrete. The construction costs were to be paid off in one year and July 1, 1914, the last payment was paid.

The fire station equipment was housed on the first floor with council meetings held on the second floor. This was moved from the building in July of 1966. In December of that year, records show that a renovation of the façade of City Hall was completed when city employees prepared the opening for a new door. (NIT, 12-27-66). For several years now the council meetings have been held downstairs.

The Marquette City Hall also was the site of family/organization events that were held upstairs.

The building will be demolished in the coming weeks.

Marquette City Hall and Fire station, July 1966. (Photo courtesy of Marquette Depot Museum)

When the City of Marquette was still called North McGregor, the City Hall was located in a modest two-story storefront located between a hotel and a cafe. The building, along with others on that block, burned sometime between 1890 and 1906. City Hall is indicated by an arrow. (Archive photo)

Early Marquette City Hall

Arts Center gallery opening for the season

The McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts (MMCA) will re-open for the season on Friday, May 18, with a new show and gallery reception. “Art of the River, Bluffs and Wetlands” will feature art inspired by local landscapes and produced by local artists in a variety of mediums. The reception begins at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served, admission is free.

The gallery shop will also feature a variety of items created by local and regional artists such as ceramics, textiles, paintings, photography and jewelry for sale.

The Arts Center has planned a full schedule of gallery shows. “Art of the River, Bluffs and Wetlands,” runs from May 18 -June 13. “Cowboys, Natives and Gourd Arts” will be on exhibit from June 15 - July 11. “Sharon Specht: Watercolors and Mosaics, will be on display from July 13 - August 8; and the work of area high school art teachers will be on exhibit from August 10 - Sept. 5.

Fun classes and events are also in the works, watch local newspapers and the MMCA Facebook page for more information.

Gallery and shop hours are Thursday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The facility is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

The MMCA is a non-profit, volunteer-driven arts organization where community residents and visitors can gather for dynamic, culturally enriching experiences and arts education. The Center is located at 158 Main Street, McGregor.

Art Afterschool gallery reception held

Students, parents and community members attended a gallery reception held Friday, May 11, at the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts to see a show of the art produced by children in the Art Afterschool program. The well-attended reception featured several works by each of the nearly 40 students enrolled in the class, which received support from Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation, MFL MarMac School District, Walmart and Kwik Trip, as well as many community members. Below, teacher Maureen Wild prepares a sign to welcome visitors to the gallery. (Photos by Trudy Balcom)

Young artist Sadie with one of her paintings.

Art Afterschool teacher Maureen Wild creates an welcoming sign for the reception.

Artist Gavin and his Dad enjoy the show.