SRHS
Steamboat Rock Historical Society
TIMES ARE CHANGING
STEAMBOAT ROCK NEWS
The first of three newspapers that would be published in Steamboat Rock was The Steamboat Rock News, and printed its first issue on July 25, 1871. Its publisher was Isaac L. Hart, who had been printing the Eldora Tribune.
The businesses that advertised or were mentioned in 1872, , are as follows:
J.W. Tracy -Drugstore
T.H. Robertson-Drygoods (cash)
D.B. Cartwright-Hardware
D.W. Turner-Lumber & fencing
J. Snyder
G.S. Carrier-Hardware & Stoves
Burres & Wardwell’s Restaurant
Wm Meyers-Wagons & Buggies
Reed & Riekena-Groceries
H. P. Hollenbeck-Furniture
J.D. Smith-Boots & Shoes
A.S. Root-Hotel & Livery
Neesen & Roos-Drygoods-Groceries
M.Ackerman- Machinery
D.B. Morse- Books & Stationary
Carrie EvensMillinery & Dress Making
A. M. Ivins-Harness Maker
Daniel Rosenborough-Blacksmith
S.F. Lathrop-Flouring Mill
S. F. Lathrop- Wood & Fence poles
D. W. Turner-Coal
H.M. Hedrik-Boot & Shoemaker
I.C. Mills-Express man
Miss Fannie R. Morse-Music Teacher
John Thicky-Stockman
P. Bannigan & Co.- Blacksmiths
Hall & Conger-Lumber
C. O. Cook sold his hardware to
H.J. Hickok in April of 1872.
Farmers Exchange BankA.A. Noyes President
D.W. Turner Cashier
Of further interest, the News office sold Wilcox & Gibbs sewing machines. And, I found it especially interesting that the postmaster Mr. D.B. Morse, sold everything from wallpaper, which he cut and trimmed there, to maple syrup and fresh apples at the post office.
In 1872 there were 150 enrolled in the school with an average attendance of 118.
The newspaper was very popular and flourished for over a year, but came to an abrupt end because of difficulty growing out of a school controversy. Apparently the newspaper had taken the wrong side in the issue, and lost readers. Mr. Hart closed down and moved to LaPorte City.
On the page that follows are several other short articles that appeared in an 1872 issue of The News.