HISTORY:  Inwood Herald Newspaper, Lyon Co., IA
 
This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
Roseanna Zehner  <mslace@netins.net> August 2003

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NOTE:  For more information on Lyon County, Iowa 
       Please visit the Lyon County, IAGenWeb page  
       at http://iagenweb.org/lyon/
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History of Inwood   

The history of Inwood like many of the new towns of the northwest may be related in few
words, and will be more completely told in that portion of this article relative to our
business men, and the various enterprises which they represent.  About thirteen years ago the
construction of the Iowa and Dakota division of the C.M. and St. P. rail road was completed
through Northern Iowa, at about which time the company made provision here for a station by
putting in a sidejug, and which was originally known as Warren.  About two years later or in
1882a post office was located here, with Will Prichard, our present townsman as post master.
The post office was then known as Pennington.  Soon after the post office was established,
Mrs. W.B. Liddell, opened a small store, which was immediately followed by another of which,
W.C. Ricker was the proprietor.  Owing to difficulties regarding the town site there was
comparatively little progress made in the way of growth, but when this matter was finally
settled, the railway company erected depot buildings, and owing to some dislike of Pennington
for a post office, the names of both office and station were changed to Inwood. The location
of a station originally, was more for the convenience of the railway company as a meeting
point for their trains, than any expectations of a future town.  But the rapid development of
the country that followed in the wake of the newly constructed railway rendered the presence
of market facilities necessary, and thus it was, that the upbuilding of a town her commenced,
and has gradually increased in size and importance ever since.  This is rude out line is the
history of a place that occupies a position of recognized importance as a business point, and
is TODAY an enterprising town of about 400 inhabitants, and containing representatives of
nearly every branch of commercial enterprise.  The town is beautifully situated upon as
elevated plateau, forming the divide between the Big Sioux and the Rock rivers, and
surrounded by a landscape visible for miles, unsurpassed in beauty, and unexcelled in
fertility. 

  

Schools 

  

The intellectual status of a community is largely indicated in the character of its schools
and educational advantages.  Inwood estimated by such a standard will bear favorable
comparison with many towns of much larger population.  The Inwood public schools, with a
handsome and substancial building, provided with the most competent instructors, offers
educational advantage second only to the graded institutions of the larger cities. 

  

Churches 

  

Inwood contains two handsome church edifies; Methodist, and Norwegion Lutheran.  The
Presbyterians also have an organization here, holding services at present in the M.E. church
edifice. 

  

Civic Societies 

  

Inwood is yet too young, and contains to small a population to make any considerable showing
in civic or secret societies.  Nevertheless, the Odd Fellows, Good Templars and Daughters of
Rebeka, all have prosperous lodges here, each with a fairly good membership. 

  

Railway Facilities 

  

As previous states, Inwood is a station upon one of the most important divisions of the
Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway, which with its numerous connections places the town
in direct communication with all the principle cities of the state as well as Milwaukee and
Chicago. 

  

Resources and Advant/.Ges. 

  

The foregoing briefly outlines the principle features of the enterprising little town of
Inwood as it appears to the passing traveler, but what is of greater importance when
considering the future prospect of the place is its surroundings, and the superior character
of the resources to which it looks for future advancement.  In writing of the grand country,
known as Northwestern Iowa , and of which Lyon and Sioux counties form a conspicuous part, it
is almost impossible to exaggerate.  It is a region of country unsurpassed in beauty, and the
soil is as rich and fertile, as the landscape is beautiful and attractive.  The country
presents a surface gently rolling in its character, with excellent natural drainage
facilities, and with a soil unusually productive, a fact that has in a few brief years gained
for this particular region the distinction of being known as the GARDEN SPOT of the grand old
Hawkeye state.  Let us see what it means to be the "garden spot' of a state like Iowa .  In
the first place Iowa is the banner corn producing state of the union, the product of 1891,
reaching according to the report of the department of agriculture, the enormous aggregate of
three hundred and thirty millions of bushels, the largest crop of corn ever grown in any
state in the history of this nation.  The census of 1890, also revealed the fact that Iowa
contained a larger number of horses than any other state.  It is also first in the sisterhood
of states in the matter of the intelligence of its people.  As regards its comparative
standing in the numerous other products of an agricultural and manufactured character we have
not the data to determine.  But it is one of the first as regards the product of cattle and
hogs, and of the dairy.  It is one of the most beautiful states in the union.  The entire
state is well watered by numerous never falling streams, and good well water is also readily
obtainable.  That has been said in reference to the advantages and resources of Iowa as a
whole, is exemplified in the superlative degree in the section that is tributary to the
enterprising little city of Inwood .  The writer is acquainted with nearly all sections of
the prairie States, and he unhesitantly pronounces that region comprised in Lyon and Sioux
counties, Iowa, as the peer of any, and superior to most similar areas in the west or in the
northwest.  While corn, cattle and hogs are the chief products, nearly all the cereal and
root crops known to the temperate latitudes are grown here with almost absolute certainty of
success.  This is a region of country where a failure of crops from climate causes is
unknown.  It is in the midst of such surroundings that Inwood is situated.  Inwood is a
growing town, the natural trade center, or market point for a large portion of both Lyon and
Sioux counties.  Its advantages as a business point, its society, school, churches and,
healthful climate, all commend it as a desirable place of residence, and most excellent place
for the investment of capital. 

  

  

Business Interests 

  

The importance of Inwood as a business point or trade center is apparent at a glance, to
those even who are utter strangers to the place.  The presence of four or five extensive
grain, houses tells forcible the take of its importance as a grain market, and the shipment
of grain and stock, which amount annually to several hundred car loads, are among the most
important along this division of the railway.  The inauguration of commercial enterprises of
nearly every character has already been accomplished, and a glance at the following review of
the business interests of the place will fully substantiate what has been said regarding its
opportunities and advantages. 

  

Banking Facilities 

  

There is perhaps no feature that more fully indicates the business and commercial importance
of a town than its banking institution.  The bank to a certain extent is the great artery or
channel that supplies the life current to all business, enterprises, and is as indispensable
to business life and activity, as the blood channels are to animal vitality and existence.
Inwood, estimated by such a standard, makes an unusually solid and substantial showing, and
its banking facilities are scarcely inferior to those of any locality in Northwestern Iowa ,
outside of Sioux City .  As an institution well known for its integrity and competency of
management, we are pleased to refer to the FARMERS'BANK of Inwood.  This institution was
originally established by Mulhall Bros. in the spring of 1888.  On Dec. 20th of the same
year, the present owners became Mulhall's successors.  The management at the present time is
in the hands of Inwood men, and vested as follows:  President, James Skewis' Vice President,
F.H. Skewis; Cashier, Will Prichard; Asst. Cashier, E.J. Skewis.  Mr. Prichard and F.H.
Skewis are also members of the lumber firm of Prichard, Skewis & Co., mentioned elsewhere in
paper.  The institution not only transacts a general banking business, the same as
incorporated concerns, including an exchange business with all the principle cities of this
country and Europe, but also are quite extensively, engaged in real estate and loaning
transactions, insurance, collections, etc.  They are the owners of considerable valuable real
estate, both as individuals and as a company or firm, included in which is quite a large
amount of Inwood town lots.  They are the owners and occupants of a substantial bank building
provided with fire-proof vaults in which is a late improved burglar-proof safe containing
steel chest, secured by a time lock, affording absolute protection from the encroachments of
either fire or theft.  Briefly, the Farmers' Bank of Inwood is considered as one of the
staunch and reliable institutions of Lyon County . 

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner 

Inwood Herald