A memorial dedicated to the early pioneers of Maxwell Iowa
I'd like to dedicate this article to Tom Logsdon, who I had a chance
meeting with in Maxwell Iowa on a warm spring day in 2025. His family ran
a mercantile store in Maxwell Iowa for 64 years.
The Country Store
by Anonymous
FAR OUT beyond the city's lights, away from din and roar,
The cricket chirps of summer nights beneath the country store;
The drygoods boxes ricked about afford a welcome seat
For weary tillers of the ground, who here on evenings meet.
A swinging sign of ancient make, and one above the door,
Proclaim that William Henry Blake is owner of the store;
Here everything from jam to tweed, from silks to ginghams bright,
Is spread before the folk who need from early morn till night.
Tea, sugar, coffee (browned or green), molasses, grindstones, tar,
Suspenders, peanuts, navy beans, and homemade vinegar,
Fine combs, wash ringers, rakes, false hair, paints, rice, and looking glasses,
Side saddles, hominy, crockery ware, and seeds for garden grasses.
Lawn mowers, candies, books to read, corn planter, household goods,
Tobacco, salt, and clover seed, horsewhips and knitted hoods,
Canned goods, shoe blacking, lime and nails, straw hats and carpet slippers,
Prunes, buttons, codfish, bridal veils, cranberries, clocks, and clippers.
Umbrellas, candles, scythes and hats, caps, boots and shoes and bacon,
Thread, nutmegs, pins and Rough on Rats, for cash or produce taken;
Birdseed, face powder, matches, files, ink, onions and many more,
Are found in heaps and stacks and piles within the country store.
It was early May, and the weather was fine. Being semi-retired, I had begun to dread the explosion of humanity, housing and businesses in Ankeny Iowa. So... I began to want for quieter places to go. I also had a built- in excuse to explore and visit as many rural towns and points of interested, that I wanted too. And that excuse was my dog "Frankie" who is truly the epitome of "man's best friend." Together with my wife Vicki, Frankie and I have explored Iowa one park at a time throughout Central Iowa. On this particular day, I woke up thinking of Maxwell. I had been there one time while doing business, and I was compelled to visit there again to explore the area. I arrived in town in the afternoon, on the prettiest spring day that Mother nature could create. I walked Frankie in "Scout Park" and felt a real calm come over me. The fields there were fresh and green, and I could smell the grass of the open fields across Rock Creek. While driving around town, I spied an old cemetery in the distance, and I couldn't figure out the best way to get to it, and I wanted to see it. As I drove around trying to figure it out. I drove to the end of the road going back into Scout Park again, and I observed a gentleman in an SUV, coming out of the park on the narrow road, towards me, so I waited for him to pass before I moved. As he came by me, and because it such an awesome day, we all had our windows down. He slowed down and started to chat with me. and I explained to him that we (my wife and I Vicki, who was flying Co-Pilot, she the navigator and umpire.) were trying to access the old cemetery from the direction from he was coming. He then told me to follow him and he would take me there. Once we got to the location, I continued to chat with the gentleman by his car. He started to tell me all about Maxwell, and I asked him his name, and said it was Tom Logsdon, and he explained that he was a long time resident Maxwell and that he and his family had run a Mercantile store in Maxwell for over 64 years, but they had to go out of business. We continued to talk, and Tom told me more about Maxwell, and he directed me to two museum locations on Main street. He also told me about the story of when the Mayor of Maxwell was murdered in 1887. A story which I determined to be true. It can be found online at Iagenweb.org (also see 1887 History of Story County, Iowa by W. G. Allen) But like so many early western
towns, Iowa was no different, the town was plotted with intention by the railroads, "hell on wheels" was coming to Iowa and nothing could stop it.
Photo from the Authors collection
It was the Chicago, Milwaukee, and Saint Paul railways made the decision to come to the junction of the Calamus and Indian Creek valleys. People had given up on the Ox and cart of the old settlers days, and began moving to the railroad. J. W. Maxwell and F. M. Baldwin had purchased some land near the railroad. They gave the land upon which the first town of Maxwell was platted. The town created by the donor. This was because he was the first to person to move there. However, soon, larger buildings were moved there from Iowa Center and Peoria City to what is now the site of the new town of Maxwell. The first building was of course the railroad depot. Several new buildings were constructed, But the largest of which was occupied by the Mercantile firm of Maxwell and Baldwin and was occupied by Logsdon's Grocery Store until they closed in 2024.
1881-1882
Because of the excessive wet season and heavy snow of the winter of 1881–1882, there was considerable flooding. Both creeks, surrounding the town were out of their banks and flooding into one body of water just south of the train depot. The ensuing flood marooned many of the construction gangs who made their headquarters that winter in Maxwell. They could not work on account of the interference of the flood water. And two saloons sprang up and did a flourishing business. Before the close of 1882, there were twelve or more business houses in town, and more under construction. By 1887, there was a total 40 businesses located in Maxwell.
Maxwell incorporated in 1883, and the first town election was held. The town hall was located behind the Maxwell Baldwin building. It had a cupola with a bell to ring in case of emergencies. The first church met at the lumber yard owned by J. O. French. Planks were arranged as seats. Later, the Methodist and Presbyterian churches were built.
Pioneer Monument at the Pioneer Cemetery in Maxwell Iowa
Photo by the Author
Pioneer Monument at the Pioneer Cemetery in Maxwell Iowa
Photo by the Author (Backside)
Photo by the Author
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