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Modale |
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Modale |
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| Information contained on these Web Pages came from the Modale Centennial Book. I have tried to provide as much information as space will allow. People looking for ancestors in Harrison County will be able to obtain a little information on life in an earlier time. | ||
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| In
1870, Benjamin Martin platted a village site at this point and named it
Martinsville. In March 1874, Alonzo Beebe platted land adjoining this plat
and named it for the post office he had secured for ten years. Its name
came through an accident, which turned out right in the end. In sending it
to the department at Washington, the petitioner desired it to be named
Missouri Dale, but as they abbreviated it thus, Mo. Dale, the clerks at
the national capitol took it to mean "Modale". Hence the name. The post office was established in 1858 through the efforts of Thomas A. Dennis. Prior to that, someone would go to Kanesville (Council Bluffs) and bring back letters and newspapers. |
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Modale became an
incorporated town in April 1881 by a vote of twenty-six to sixteen. Many
of the early business people did not lack ambition. for some reason or
other when they erected a building, they decided it wasn't a suitable
location, so moved it to another site. The school was built on the southeast corner of Anderson and Main, so when Ross Addition was annexed, the school was moved to where the present school is located. When they decided to erect a new brick building, the old one was moved again, two doors north and became the Masonic Temple. The Commercial house was no longer used as a hotel. so it was divided |
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| and made into two homes, one
for "Doc" Wiltse, and the remaining portion was remodeled and used by J.
L. McQueen and his family. The Odd Fellow Hall was built, first where the
present Legion building stands but after the school was moved, it was
moved to its present site on the southeast corner of Anderson and Main. After living in Modale and seeing the size of some of these buildings, I was always surprised when told they had moved that building to it's final resting place. |
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In 1874, F. H. Ludwig was the first to engage in
business in the town, opening a warehouse. In the fall of the same year
McAllister and Ludwig put in a stock of merchandise. Ludwig was the first
to deal in grain, lumber and agricultural goods. |
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The great flood of 1952 is an experience the residents will long remember. Before dams were constructed, the Missouri River would overflow its banks. Due to record snowfall in the mountains and a rapid thaw, there was water from bluff to bluff and the entire Missouri River Valley was inundated. Modale did not escape. Fortunately there was no loss of life. Only boiled water and typhoid shots for everyone. In the early days of Harrison County flooding was a threat to the residents each spring. |
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Modale looking East |
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All in a Days Work |
Flag Pole on Main |
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Modale Bank Robbery 1926 |
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© 2002,
Judy White, All Rights Reserved
Last modified
October 14, 2002 05:04:51 PM
