Wall Lake is situated in Sac County, on the Maple River Railroad, seventeen miles from the Junction. This town is three miles south of the Lake. It is situated on a beautiful plateau, which slopes gently from the summit of the surrounding hills, which form a part of the great watershed that passes entirely through the state. To the south and west is a beautiful sheet of water, containing a surface area of three square miles. This inland sea is frequently termed the "goose pond."
    The town of Wall Lake was laid out and platted by the Blair Town Lot and Land Company in 1877. The town plat consists of two additions containing 300 lots. Perhaps it would be of interest to our readers to relate a coincidence between Storm Lake and Wall Lake. The first lot in Storm Lake was sold the same lay of the month, the same hour in the day and for the same none, as was the first lot in Wall Lake just seven years afterwards.
    Wall Lake is surrounded with a splendid farming country. The oil is a rich black loam. Splendid water can be easily obtained. The population of Wall Lake may be fairly estimated at 400. Arrangements are now being made to erect a large steam grist mill this town, which will add much to its interests.
    April 1st, 1877, Mr. Donaldson erected the first building for the purpose of a saloon, the building material being brought across the :country from Storm Lake. The next actual settler was 0. A. Anderson, who came April 15th, 1877. Mr. Peck completed his residence July 2d, 1877. P. A. Elpstrand opened a boot and shoe bop, July 7th, 1877. F. Rohm, of Alta, opened the first blacksmith shop. The first religious services held in Wall Lake were held at the residence of Mr. Palmer, on Sunday evening, August 15th, 1877, by Rev. W. P Griffin. On the 20th of July work was begun on the depot, which was completed August 15th, 1877. The first lot was sold to D. Wayne & Co., of Carroll, who erected a fine warehouse and purchased the first load of wheat sold at Wall Lake if a Mr. North, at 75 cents per bushel, September 10th, 1877. Wayne & Co. shipped the first car load of wheat. The first lumber yard was started by Wilcox Bros., in August, 1877. September 19th, 1877, G. M. Parker received and sold the first goods in Wall Lake. August 7th, 1877, the first child was born in Wall Lake to Mrs. 0. A. Anderson. April 2d, 1878, the first death occurred in the family of 0. E. Wentworth. April 21st, 1878, a destructive tornado passed through the city and vicinity. Seven buildings near, and two in the town were entirely destroyed, eight more being considerably damaged. The amount of damage done was $30,000.
    The first telephone was constructed February 11th. 1878, between I. C. Fletcher's and C. E. Wentworth's places of business. Ehers and Wentworth did the scientific part of the work.
    Wall Lake was incorporated in March, 1881. A. D. Herrig was ,elected first Mayor, W. L. Ehlers, Recorder; D. M. Bingman, Geo. Kurgan, F. E. Cheney, H. Mohr, H. J. Simpson and T. E. Wilcox served as Trustees. These are the present municipal council.   

 

History of  Churches, Schools and Societies
[contributed by: Barb Z. 2008]

   
 The Wall Lake Journal, a neat, seven column folio weekly paper, was started August 29th, 1878, by F. L. Dennis, as a six column- line quarto. Cook & Gregg purchased the paper April 1st. 1881, and ran it as a five column quarto. T. J. Newburg took charge, October 1st, 1881. J. L. Kroesen. the present editor and proprietor, purchased the paper December 1st, 1881. Mr. Kroesen :runs a neat job office in connection with his paper, which is Republican in politics and has a circulation of 600. The business of Wall Lake may be classified as follows: General stores, three; hardware, two; restaurants three; hotels, two; lumber yards, two; agricultural implements, four; livery stable, one; harness shops, one; elevator, one; grain dealers, three; saloons, three; furniture store, one; shoe shop, one; millinery stores, two: bank, one; barber shop, one; post office; drug store, one; meat market, one; blacksmith shops', three; wagon shops, two; printing office, one.

There are several different religious sects represented in Wall Lake, but there is no regularly organized society. Steps are being taken to organize a society soon. A building for public worship is in contemplation.

Wall Lake Public School - Wall Lake is an independent school district and has been so for several years. The school building is a neat, frame structure, erected in the summer of 1879. It is 22x 36 feet and cost $750. This building is insufficient to accommodate the large attendance of pupils, and the Masonic Lodge room is used for one department. Emma M. Flanders and Allie Border are the teachers.

Fire Department - The Wall Lake Hook and Ladder Company was organized September 25th, 1878. It has erected a large engine house and purchased uniforms at a cost of $700. Wall Lake is as well protected from the fire fiend as any other town in Western Iowa.

Lake Lodge, No. 390, A. F. & A. M. - Dispensation granted June 4th, 1878. Charter granted June 4th, 1879. The charter members were C. N. Levey, H. B. Allen, D. M. Bingman, L. J. Gifford, F. W. Weed, A. D. Herrig, B. E. Allen, C. M. Smith, W. D. Forbes and Wm. Throssel. The Lodge's first officers were C. N. Levey, W. M.; H. B. Allen, S. W.; D. M. Bingman, J. W.; A. D. Herrig, Secretary, and B. E. Allen, Treasurer. The present officers of the Lodge are: C. N. Levey, W. M.; W. L. Ehlers, S. W.; H. B. Allen, J. W.; P. L. Edson, Secretary, and T. E. Wilcox, Treasurer. This Lodge has a membership of thirty-two and is in a flourishing condition. Meetings are held every Wednesday evening on or before each full moon.
 

Early Residents Biographies
[contributed by: Barb Z. 2008]

H. B. Allen, postmaster of the firm of Allen & Jacobs, dealers in hardware and agricultural implements, was born in Clinton county, N. Y., in 1835; moved to Elgin, Ill., in 1855, and engaged in farming. In 1860 moved to De Kalb county, Ill. He enlisted in the 95th Ill. Vol. Inf.., served three years. He was with Gen. Grant in the Vicksburg campaign, and was wounded, losing a portion of his right hand; was discharged in July, 1865. In 1867 he came to Sac county, la., and engaged in farming. He moved to Wall Lake in the autumn of 1874, and established present business. He was appointed postmaster in May, 1881.

Mr. Jacobs, formerly of Benton county, la., became a member of the firm in Jan., 1882. They carry a large and complete stock of hardware. The agricultural warehouse is on the corner of Main and First Sts. They handle goods from all the leading manufactories.

George Burgan, grain dealer and manager of D. Wayne & Co.'s business at Wall Lake, was born in Wayne county, 0., in 1845; moved with parents to Muscatine, la. In 1862 he enlisted in the 35th la. Vol. Inf..; was at the sieges of Vicksburg, Nashville, Pleasant Hill; was up the Red river with Gen. Banks. He was discharged in 1865, and returned to Iowa. In 1867 he located in Carroll county and engaged in farming until 1874, when he engaged in the grain business. Office and warehouse on First St. They shipped during the year 1881 one hundred cars of grain.

Frank Chandler, dealer in hats, caps, boots, shoes, clothing, furnishing goods and groceries, was born in Maquoketa, la., in Sept., 1849, there resided until 1870, then moved to Lyons, la., as agent for the Northern and Diamond Joe packet lines, and after two years, became book-keeper for the Clinton Chair Co.. after which he traveled for S. G. McGill, and later for H. C. & C. Durand, wholesale grocers, with whom he remained five years, then located at Wall Lake. Employs two clerks.

W. L. Ehlers, bookkeeper for Wilcox Bros., lumber dealers, was born in Oskaloosa, la., in Feb., 1806. In 1872 he entered the State University, at Iowa City. In the winter of 1876 he took charge of the poultry packing establishment of Beem, Turner & Co.; remained with them two years and moved to Wall Lake; entered the employ of J. C. Fletcher, dealer in general merchandise. He engaged as above in 1879.

J. Elliott, proprietor of the Eureka House, came to Wall Lake in Feb., 1882, from Ames, where he had resided for twenty years. The hotel is on the corner of Main and First streets, is well furnished and a first class house.

J. J. Fones & Sons, grain dealers, formerly of Chicago, III., where they were engaged in the livery business several years; came to Wall Lake, la., in Jan., 1881, and purchased the elevator and business of G. W. Pitcher. Elevator has capacity of ten thousand bushels, and employs two men. During the year 188I they shipped two hundred cars of grain. The business is conducted by J. J. Fones, Jr.; office on 1st street.

E. L. Pierce, dealer in hardware, tinware, stoves, etc., was born in Linn county, la., in Oct., 1850; received education at Mt. Vernon College, and engaged in farming until 1874, then moved to Cedar county and engaged in milling with Peet Bros. He remained there four years then moved to Wall Lake and engaged in present business in March, 1878. He makes specialties of Fuller, Warren & Co.'s stoves and the Gliddeu barbed wire.

C. F. Peck, dealer in general merchandise, was born in New  London, Conn., in 1845; moved to Oneida, Ill., when thirteen years of age, and worked on a farm until Oct., 1863, then enlisted in the 8th Ill. Vol. Inf.. and served until the close of the war. He returned to Ill. and remained three years; afterwards moved to Jefferson, la. He was engaged as carpenter until 1877, then engaged in mercantile business. He came to Wall Lake in 1880 and engaged in business as above; carries a fine stock of clothing, boots and shoes.

W. H. Peck, dealer in lumber, coal, lime, etc., was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1854; received his education from the High School of Syracuse. In 1879 he moved to Sac county, la., and in the autumn of the same year purchased above business of H. J. Simpson. Office on Main street, near depot. He is assisted by F. M. Gregg.

C. L. Sherwood, agent for the Iowa Land company, was born in Berlin township, Delaware county, O., in June, 1817; remained there until 1854, and then moved to Clinton, la., where he engaged in farming. In 1873 he came to Sac county, purchased land in Clinton township, which he improved, and still owns, the farming being conducted by his sons. Mr. Sherwood was for several years postmaster at Wall Lake, also was postmaster in Clinton township. before the office was abandoned. He became agent for the above company in 1873; office with W. H. Peck, lumber dealer. Mr. S. is one of the solid republicans of this county.

N. Wright, president of the bank of Wall Lake, was born in Cedar county, la., in 1846; resided there until the autumn of 1871, then purchased 320 acres of land in Sac county, on which he moved the spring following. He farmed until Feb., 1882, when he established the bank. Does a general banking business; this is the only established bank in Wall Lake. W. S. Bell, the cashier, is a gentleman of extensive experience in the banking business.
 

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