The Whistle Blows at Noon : Centennial History of Titonka [Library Binding]

J. Clarine J. Boyken (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 1997

A comprehensive, entrancing tale of the settling of a rural midwest community; the history of its first century which coincided almost exactly with the twentieth century. Of interest to EVERYONE! Traces geographic origin back to the Revolutionary War, through the maze of controversies regarding the establishment of boundaries of territories, states and, finally, counties. The excitement of the founding of a new town out in the prairie, depicts the impact of the two World Wars, the Great Depression and the technological advances that drastically altered the socio-economic health of the area. Includes 200 family histories, each descriptive of the struggles of bringing the land into production and raising a family without today's conveniences. Demonstrative of the spirit of small-town America at the present time, so necessary to meet the challenge of maintaining a viable economic community in the new century and preserving the quality of life therein. 500 pictures, some of the first decade, 1898-1908.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A quick note to let you know how impressed I was with the centennial history book." -- James A. Rode, Media Specialist, Valley West High School, West Des Moines, Iowa

"I pick up the history from time to time and find more information I had not known. It's great fun..." -- Jacqueline Callies Rayman, Ely, Minnesota

"The Titonka Centennial Committee has been nominated for a Community History Award from the State Historical Society of Iowa." -- Tom Morain, Administrator, State Historical Society of Iowa The Titonka Topic May 14, 1998

From the Publisher

THE WHISTLE BLOWS AT NOON, Centennial History of Titonka, 1898-1998, was written as the history of the first century of the town of Titonka, Iowa. The town was named for a legendary buffalo hunt that occured in 1855, which ended near the site of the present day town. The name was taken from the Sioux Indian word for buffalo, Ta Tanka, or big black. A buffalo taken on the hunt was dressed, roasted on a fire and shared with a band of Indians camped on the banks of Buffalo Creek. The late Harvey Ingham, one time editor of the Algona Upper Des Moines and later of the Des Moines Register, was a member of the hunting party. It was at his suggestion that the town be named "Titonka".

Upper Kossuth county was the very last area of the state to be settled. The marshy area was considered unfit for the pursuit of agriculture until land became scarce in the rest of the state. Adventuresome pioneers acquired land either through homesteading or, somewhat later, purchasing it at a very low price per acre. To read the book is to come to appreciate the hard work of the early settlers in bringing the land into production and their pride in having accomplished so seemingly impossible a task. Its fertile black soil, of a great depth, has been important in the production of food throughout the century. Citizen's who grew up in the area have gone out into the far reaches of the world to make a difference. Taxes imposed on crop land and business firms have added to the treasuries of the state and nation. The area has had a far greater inpact on the quality of life available in the world today than if it had been left in its natural state, however interesting.

The centennial history of Titonka, a town with an incredibly small population of only 650, demonstrates what can be achieved when its populace, town and country, has the wisdom to set aside differences to work together to make and to keep a fine quality of life.

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 500 pages
• Publisher: Titonka Centennial Committee (April 3, 1997)
• ISBN-10: 0970228015
• ISBN-13: 978-0970228017
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,233,332 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)