Grain Bin Rescue

This is a photo from the May 17, 2007 grain bin rescue that took place at the George Elevator. Here is an excerpt from the Sioux City Journal regarding the Red Cross Heroes award that was presented to the GFD & GEMS. The George Fire Department and George Emergency Medical Services saved the life of a Sheldon, Iowa, man during a 3.5-hour grain elevator rescue May 17, 2007. The two departments' staffs used their training and skills to rescue the victim in a grain elevator full of corn. The victim was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital where he was released the following day with no injuries.

P.S. We are running low on old photos. If you would be willing to share any of your favorite pics, stop in at WebClimber Services. Your photos will be scanned & returned to you. Photos can also be emailed to help@georgeiowa.com

High School

This is a great photo of the high school building. How many details can you notice that are a little different today? The windows are all 9-panes on top. Three doors for the front entrance. Lots of space for bicycle parking too!

Theater & White Shop

This is a photo of the George Movie Theater and The White Shop Cafe. Looks like the theater building was already in pretty tough shape at the time this photo was taken.

South Main Street

This photo looks north down main street. The farthest building south on the east side reads "Ruppelt General Merchandise." I like the 2nd story porch that covers the sidewalk on the building just north of the current Lichtenberg Hardware.

Central Baptist Church

This is a very nice b/w photo of Central Baptist Church. The church has undergone some nice updates in the past couple years, but architecturally it looks much the same today. Can any of you car experts identify the white station wagon? I'm guessing it's an early to mid 50's model???

Good Sam Groundbreaking

This photo shows the groundbreaking ceremony that was held prior to construction of the brand new Good Samaritan Center in George. The photo was dated May 19, 1968. How many of these folks do you recognize? Special thanks to Agnes K. for finding this picture!

July 4th 2009

OK -- so this isn't much of a flashback. Just from last Saturday night. What a nice crowd that was on hand for the Tonic Sol-fa Concert, Pie Auction, and Fireworks Display at the school.

GSB Float

This photo of the George State Bank float was marked 1984 - the year of the Centennial. Do you know who the riders were?

Iowa Avenue

This one is a very early photo of Iowa Avenue taken from approximately in front of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. The view is looking west. The water tower was located behind what is now Personal Touch Salon. Thanks to Connie and Larry for coming up with this photo!

1983 Flood

This photo was taken in 1983 and is looking south from Michigan Ave on the bridge. The Rio Grande was well beyond its banks and caused extensive damage.

Dreesman John Deere

This photo is labeled Dreesman John Deere. Do you have any memories of this building?

Awesome Blossoms Building

This photo was labeled "funeral home." It is the current home to Awesome Blossoms which is located in between Dr. Stille's office & Personal Touch Hair Salon. This gives you a very nice view of the old kerosene lamp. The building to the north is the movie theater. The show playing according to the poster in front of the theater is Craig's Wife starring Irene Rich. A little research finds that this show was released in 1928.

South Main

This photo of south main street shows some good detail of the store fronts. On the west side you can see the George State Bank building on the corner. There is another building on the west side with two signs -- on for "Goodyear" and one that reads "De Soto / Plymouth." Further to the north is an IH sign on the current Visser Hardware building and a "Serve Coke at Home" sign on the Main Street Plaza building. On the east side is Swalve Produce, Visser Appliance, the hardware store, the cafe, and the drugstore. Also notice the traffic light hanging in the intersection of the four-way stop.

George Mural

I believe this mural was located between John's Steakhouse & the grocery store. The looks like the Pizza Ranch in the background. Not sure who created it or what year it was placed here.

Lumberyard Fire

This is an "after" photo of the lumberyard fire in 1982. Although the fire was devastating, the lumberyard was rebuilt and still serves the area well.

Sudenga Ford

This photo shows the current Pizza Ranch location when it was operated as Sudenga Ford. The two signs toward the top of the building read "Used Cars" and "Ford Tractor." A sign in the window reads "Drive the '49 Ford" On the far right you can catch the very end of a "Coca Cola" sign on the building many knew as "Harold's" which was most recently before it's demolition - "Deano's." To the back of the photo is the old George water tower. There is also a building there which may have been the Opera House??

This is a great photo showing Bruns Garage. I'm not enough of a car expert to guess on the year. I can read a poster in the window promoting the Lyon County Fair. Can't see the year, but back then the dates it ran were August 25-30. There is also a nice looking Chevrolet sign inside the window of the shop. I can't quite see what the sign says on top of the gas pump. It looks like G-A-S-T.... or C-A-S-T....

Any ideas?

40's Era

This photo from around the 1940's looks straight north up Main Street. You can see the flag pole at the center of the 4-way stop at the corner of Main & Michigan. On the east side of the street is a building with a Philgas sign. There is a also a Coca-Cola sign on the cafe building.

Main Street Looking South - 70's

This photo is taken from the north end of main street looking toward the south. If you click on the photo to view the larger image, you can see Grumpy's Tap, K&D TV, IGA, the lighted Coke sign on the George Cafe, Visser Hardware Hank, and the old George State Bank building. And very close on the far right is Krull's DX station. I can't make out the writing on the sign hanging on the building that is currently the flower shop. The top word is "Annies" or something similar. The bottom word is longer like "Restaurant" or "Laundramat."

West 4th Parade

This photo was marked 1973. It looks like it was a wet 4th of July parade. Many of the parade watchers are huddled under the canopy of the Gambles building. I can't make out the name of the bar on the Hamm's sign. It reads something Tap. It looks like Little Miss George was given a pass due to the weather and Miss George has some protection under the top of the float. Anyone know who Miss George was that year?

The theme on chamber float says "George - The Jewel of Lyon County."

George State Bank

This photo is looking southwest toward the George State Bank building. Just to the south of the bank you can see Freerks & Raker Hardware. The old street lamps are still in place & you can see one of the elevators in the background.

Main Street Looking North - Northeast

This photo appears to be from the 20's or so. The photo -grapher must have been standing somewhere near the current city offices. The building that is easily recognizable is the old George Savings Bank. I believe sometime in the late 70's or early 80's the top half of this building was removed. It is currently home to Personal Touch Hairstyling.

Main Street - North End

I think this photo is from the Centennial Parade in 1984. Maybe some of the car experts know what model & year the vehicle is? The Gift Warehouse building is now the Vet Clinic. And the Quasar TV Shop that was operated by Gene Dochnahl is now the home of Dykstra Chiropractic.