Historical markers to be added in Newton

Downtown Newton is getting informational makers in front of historic places such as the Jasper County Courthouse and the former Maytag headquarters. Kenneth Barthelman, local historian and former director of the county’s historical museum, is heading up the effort to create the aluminum markers, which will be placed all over downtown.

Barthelman, a Newton native, said he thought of the idea because there are artifacts outside of the Jasper County Historical Museum but nothing to explain what they are. Eventually, he decided on markers in areas of historic Newton and decided to fund them himself, knowing the city might not have the funds for it.

When he brought the project up to the Newton City Council, the Newton Historic Preservation Commission approved a motion supporting the project, and the city council supported it, as well

“There is a lot of history in Newton but we don’t do a good job, other than at the museum of telling our history,” Barthelman said

Larry Hurto, chairman of the Newton Historic Preservation Commission, said he has been helping Barthelman make the markers by providing research for him to use.

The markers will have a red stake and a plate on top with pictures and information about the site. There will be three to four at the former Maytag headquarters now owned by DMACC.

Other markers will be at the locations of former buildings such as Central Junior High School, site of the current Fareway Grocery store; the old Newton High School, where the Newton Public Library currently is, the Churchill Hotel, now a Best Western hotel and Lister’s Opera House, which is a parking lot. Both the hotel and opera house locations are just west of the Walker, Billingsley and Bair law offices. The parking lot next to the law office was the site of the opera house and the hotel would have been across the street.

“It’s a shame we have lost some these places that have been an integral part of people’s lives,” Hurto said.

Downtown Newton was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in fall 2014. Barthelman said being a registered site secures historical grants which will help return downtown to how it looked in the 1950s and 1960s.

“The 50s and 60s is when Newton, largely because of Maytag and some of the other industries, grew rapidly because there was a lot more money going through town,” Barthelman said.

He said the change in the downtown look came during that time as well because the city was trying for a more modern look, so it got rid of the traditional look it held for so long.

Hurto said an architectural historian came to town and cited 87 sites with historical significance, though not all of them kept it.

“We did 87 site inventories and it has been determined 15 to 20 properties had been so altered they lost their historical significance,” Hurto said.

The project is following the motto, “Get to Know Newton.” They are a walk down memory lane for many, for others the markers create an awareness of what used to be in the town, he said.

“These places hold a lot of good memories for Newton residents and visitors,” Hurto said. “Part of the mission is to educate people.”

Barthelman said the historic markers will cost $100 for each marker and hopes to have them up in time for Newton Fest which is from June 7 through 9.

Contact Samuel Nusbaum at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or snusbaum@newtondailynews.com