Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-02
Council Bluffs
PROSPERITY YEARS KEYNOTE
Council Bluffs Enjoys Material
Advancement in 1909.
BUILDING RECORD EXCELLENT
Real Estate Transfers Disclose
Increase Of Three Quarters Of
Million over 1oOs-City
Finances Are Good.

Hnen the Clbth ~ NN hNN Va 'NN'
night Friday and the curtain was rung
down on 1909 the business men and citizens
generally Of Council Bluffs could say as
they looked back over the last twelve
months that they had enjoyed a year Of
prosperity. The era Of boom" days for
the middle west is a thing of the past, but
the prosperity which Council Bluffs ex-
perienced during the last year and indica-
tons are will continue TO enjoy during
1910 was of that conservative character
which tends to upbuild a city and provide
its citizens with the employment which the
member Of every community need.
Business generally was good and there
was no lack Of employment for the skilled
artisan and the unskilled laborer, despite
the fact that the amount OF public work
was less than usual. The wholesalers,
like the retailers, enjoyed a remarkably
good business and are looking forward to
an equally prosperous period during 1910
Some of the wholesalers report that the
volume Of business during 1909 was limited
only by the help which could be secured to
handle 1t.
Dun's Estimate.
e. w. Peterson, local manager of the
mer camille agency Of r. G. Dun & Co,
makes the following report on the business
record of Council Bluffs for 1909 and the
prospects for the new year:
In making up the usual annual report
of trade conditions in this section con
siderable inquiry has been made at diff
ferent times and many merchants In this
vicinity and other points in southwestern
Iowa have been interviewed, and the gen
eral report is to the effect that, all things
considered, 1903 has been a fairy prosperous
year, both in the wholesale and retail
trade. The last couple Of months Of the
year have had some drawbacks, In the
way. Of excessive wet weather, which, with
the bad roads incidental thereto, has had a
material effect on the retail trade; also a
considerable amount of corn is yet In the
fields and this fact necessarily has made
able to move their grain and unable to pay
their debts. Notwithstanding these local
conditions which have existed for the last
two months the general outlook is promis-
ing. The good price for products and plenty
Of labor, no men idle, with a good steady
demand for money at good rates OF interest,
ere favorable conditions which are crafty
ing to-every tobber and retailer.
Council Bluffs has had a very fair trade
in the implement line, which is the largest
one handled from this point. Having about
twenty-five Jobbing houses here who either
manufacture or handle implements, bug
proximated at about 5000. 900 to $1,000 90
annually. There are a few houses whose
hood Of $7So, 90 to si'coo,o6o a a year EaH a Gi8" tS@y
report a fairly prosperous trade. Council.
Bluffs of late is becoming a fair auto
illd q III ldlClH OIlN vi llilt DIOIll-
nent implement houses of this city has
commenced to handle this rapJdly increas-
ing luxury. As an indication of the enter
prise of the city ii is to be noted that
Council Bluffs is becoming quite prominent
as an automobile market and promises to
be more so in the near future.
Other jobbers, In other lines, also report
have hardly been able to supply the de-
mand, although working extra time to dc
so. The National Horticultural assocla-
ton, which had its second annual conven-
ton here this year and which was quite
largely advertised. has been instrumental
In bringing the city before the public.
Quite a good deal of building in the resi-
dence section is local evidence of pros
Splendid Building Record.
The building record in Council Bluffs for
1909 was an excellent one especially along
the line Of private residences. Council
Bluffs is essentially a city Of homes and
in every section many handsome residences
were erected during the last year.
The erection of the Auditorium at the
corner of Washington avenue and Bryant
street prompted the owners of property
along North Main street to 'reJuvenate'
that thoroughfare and the result. has been
the erection of several substantial store
buildings with others in prospect. The
Council Bluffs aerie of Eagles selected
North Main street as the site for its pro-
posed new home and during 1910 will erect
a large and handsome building with a big
frontage on the east side Of the street.
Indications are that within another year
or two North Main street will become a
busy t~horoughfare. One new elevator, that
of the Middle West Elevator company on
First avenue between Thirty-sixth and
Thirty-seventh street was erected during
the year at a cost of about s25, 1850. Council
Rl,,ffs bag bnany,n IN antiy. oan8o, e.
the automobile business and during the
year just closed four large garages were
erected, three on Fourth street and one
on Pearl street.
One new, modern school house was
erected during the year.. that at the cor
ner of Broadway and Oak street which
cost approximately 2O,oOo.
New Y. M. G. A. Building.
4, The handsome home Of the Young Mems
christian association at the corner OF First
venue and South Seventh street, which
ost 0,0O0, inclusive Of the ground and
-rnishings, was completed during the year
-Gst ended. The house OF worship of the
inst Christian church at the corner of
1Iynster and Scott streets, which cost about
$500, was recently completed and dedi-
lated with appropriate services. 1t is con-
9ANSASu NAe VI tue ndnueOheSl structures
Of It's kind in the city. The magnificent
new church Of the Holy family Catholic
parish in the western part Of the city was
also completed during the last year. The
congregation OF the Epworth Methodist
church in the western part OF the city is
erecting a new frame building at a cost
OF 5000. At the Christian home, where,
during the last few years several splendid
buildings haYe been erected, replacing the
old frame structures. a boiler and laundry
house at a cost OF $4,000 was added.
The Clark Implement company erected a
new warehouse and office building at
Fourth street and Eleventh avenue at a
cost of about 5000, Resented Brothers
erected a new two-story brick business
structure at S1s-sl9 West Broadway at a
cost Of 5000. The handsome new Central
fire station built partly over Indian creek,
between Bryant and Main street and ia
cling Washington avenue was erected dur
ing the last year at a cost Of SIG, 800. The
Citizens Gas and Electric company
erected a new power house on First avenue
5stween Sixth and Seventh streets at a
cost OF about $4,000.
Among the hand handsome homes erected