New entrance gate

The Fackler's Grove Cemetery has a new gate and fencing at its north entrance.  The old fencing on either side of the former gate had definitely seen better days, so most of it was torn out and replaced. 

Thanks to George Chadima of Broadmoor Farms near Fairfax for donating the wire fencing!  

We are also very appreciative of a grant from SAPIC (State Association for the Preservation of Iowa Cemeteries) that helped cover the cost of this project.  Visit their web site!

May 10 cleaning

On Saturday, May 10, 2014 a good group of helpers joined together for spring cleaning at the Fackler's Grove Cemetery bringing along small chain saws, loppers, clippers, weed whackers and other tools to use.  We thank the Kemmerer, Faltis, Showalter,and Horak families as well as Robert Hach and Clary Illian for their cheerful and willing help!

The gate area was cleared and old fencing taken down in preparation for placing a new gate. An area at the entrance was cleared of brush to allow for parking and improved access for vehicles.  Low hanging and/or dead branches were cut and hauled away from the grounds and the we walked the cemetery to find and remove fallen branches.

Below are some photos:

Western Hall and early band

Click the picture to enlarge it.

This 1891 photo was donated to the ECHS archives by the late Leo Modracek, who lived very near or on the original grounds of the old Western College that was once in Western.  It shows an early band standing in front of a wooden building with wide steps.  It is labeled "Western Hall (Dance)."  

The man in white standing by the door is Joseph Witousek, who owned the College Square at the time this picture was taken. 

Some of the men in the band are identified: 

(l to r) Frank Buresh(?);  Frank Netolicky, Sr;  Unknown; Unknown; Unknown; Frank Andrle (drum);  John Krejca; Unknown; Joe (or Frank?) Hronik, Sr.; Unknown; Wes Bys; Unknown.

If you recognize any of the band members, please let us know.  Our email address is in the right column.

Help Identify

The below photo donated by Adeline (Jansa) Volesky is of the L. J. Palda C.S.P.S. Lodge organized about 1890 in the town of Western, Iowa.  The lodge moved to Swisher, Iowa in 1916. 

If you recognize an ancestor in the photo, please let us know.  The only identity we have is Frank Jansa, who is in the second row, third from the right, with his hands in his lap.

C.S.P.S. stands for "Česko-Slovenský Podporující Spolek" (Czech-Slovak Protective Society)

Please click on the photo to enlarge it.

July, 2022 - Ed Vavra found an old photo of the CSPS Lodge in Western. (Photo circa 1940)

 

 

Western College Building

An auction was held in the above building in the fall of 2013. It is said to be the only remnant of the Western College buildings that once stood in the town of Western, Iowa.

Western College was established in 1856 by the United Brethren in Christ in southern College Township, Linn County, Iowa. It was named "Western" because it was the denomination's first college west of the Mississippi River, and was, significantly, a co-educational college. Classes started in January, 1857. A small town grew up around the college and remains today as an unincorporated town called Western, just north of Shueyville, Iowa.

After Western College moved to Toledo, Iowa in 1881, the building was said to be used as a meeting place for a lodge. The exact history of the building is unknown, although the owner's son told me it was built in the 1870s, when the college still existed in Western. Later the building was a clubhouse for the Cedar Rapids Boat Club. 

July, 2022 - This building was used as the L.J. Palda C.S.P.S. Lodge organized about 1890 in the town of Western, Iowa.  The organization moved to Swisher, Iowa in 1916.

 - B. Horak, Collections Manager, Ely Community History Society.

 

Click for more about the CSPS Lodge in Western