Kellogg to celebrate sesquicentennial with a weekend of events

Originally named Manning Station after the man who owned the stagecoach stop, it was also thought the name Jasper City was used before the railroad named the point Kellogg and designated it a station on the line.

The name was official on March 21, 1871 and became a municipality in 1874. Having its early beginnings in 1865, Kellogg is celebrating its sesquicentennial anniversary with a weekend-long event.

The first railroad track reached Kellogg in the spring of 1866 after a delay because of very rough country between Grinnell and the city. The terminus of the railroad was in Kellogg for a time, possibly a year or two and the town grew quickly as freight, passengers and mail went onward by stagecoach and wagon.

Most of the buildings in town were shanties and shacks except for one owned by a Mr. Downing, which later became the Methodist Parsonage. Several of the shanties still exist but are barely recognizable because of room addition, siding and new roofs.

A numbers of businesses were opened in 1866, including a tavern, Blair & Adair, started by Benjamin Manning; a blacksmith shop opened by Samuel Rich and several town site proprietors opened stores. Rich also served as the postmaster.

Sesquicentennial events kick off Friday evening with a concert and street dance featuring the Richard Arndt Band from 8 p.m. to midnight on High Street.

Saturday starts with the Lion’s Club breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. at Monkey House. Opening ceremonies and a parade begins at 10 a.m. with a path starting on Railroad Street and moving to Main Street before finishing on High Street.

“It should be a good time,” Chairman Lauren Gildersleeve said.

Around 11 a.m., following the parade, games and contests for all ages will start in Holmdahl and Railroad Parks along with food and merchandise vendors who will be open from 9 a.m. until dusk. Many events will take place throughout the day, including chainsaw carving and selling items, petting zoo by Poweshiek Animal League Shelter, an appearance by airbrush tattoo and balloon artists, a pie-baking contest and a Kellogg United Methodist Church youth fire truck water fight .

Plum Hill Carriage will also be providing carriage rides through the town.

Food will be provided by Domino’s and Mississippi Queen, with free hot dogs and cotton candy provided by the area churches. Homemade black raspberry ice cream will also be sold as a youth fundraiser.

A historical scavenger hunt will start at noon at the post office and bring participants through the town finding interested artifacts detailing Kellogg’s past.

“We’ve had a group of people put clues together. It will send them around Kellogg and introduce them to some of the history of Kellogg,” Gildersleeve said.

At 2:30 p.m. a pet fashion — sponsored by Pet Kingdom — will take place, inviting all cats, dogs, rabbits or any pet to put on their cutest outfit and head out for a chance to be named best dressed at the event. Awards will be given for first through third with an award for an owner as well.

Partner Communications has donated two large television to be raffled off at the event. For $3 a ticket, you have the opportunity to win both televisions, with a bit of a twist to the prize.

“Partner Communications really wants people to pick a friend to give the other TV to. So you win one and you give the other one away,” Gildersleeve said.

A Kellogg Reunion will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Newton Ikes club. Capping the evening will be a free outdoor movie, “McFarland, USA,” at dusk in Holmdahl Park.

Sunday a joint church service will be held at 10:30 a.m. in Holmdahl Park with a community potluck following at 11:30 a.m. For more information or if you have any questions about the event contact Gildersleeve at ldgildersleeve@gmail.com

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com