THAYER
According to C.J. Colby in his book, Centennial Sketches, 1876, “Thayer is the station farthest east in the county, on the C. B. & Q. R. R., being located in Jones Township, 2 miles west of the Clarke County line. It was laid out about the year 1868 – – – the first house being erected by J. H. Reed, in October of that year. It contains one hotel, one drug and grocery store, one general merchandise store, post office, blacksmith shop, two churches, (Catholic & Evangelical), and a population of 150 persons.”
In 1908 George A. Ide wrote in his book, History of Union County, Iowa, “at the time the town was located a post office, called “Alaska” was nearby. This was moved to Thayer in 1869, and has since been an established office. S. A. Northrup is the present postmaster. Two rural mail routes in charge of Seeley Brothers, carriers, supply the farmers in the vicinity with daily mail.
Thayer was incorporated in the year 1894. The present population (1908) is 200. The town has two churches, the Christian and Methodist denominations, each have good framed buildings and maintain regular services of worship. The town has the benefit of four telephone lines and a telegraph station. The Masonic and I. O. O. F. Orders are represented here.
in 1870 the C. B. & Q. opened up a gravel pit west and adjoining Thayer , which has been operated at intervals every since. It is said to afford the best gravel between the two rivers. Burlington Reservoir, or Lake just west of town makes quite a resort for both young and old for miles around. Fishing is always good and in the spring and fall there is abundance of duck and other game.”
In the photos below, the first postcard was marked 1910 on the back in pencil. The fire photo appears to be dated 1914 on the face. The third photo is postmarked 1913 but some of the buildings on the right side of the photo are missing as in having been burnt. The 1981 Union County history book says there had a bad fire in 1916. So I am confused about when the fire actually took place.
