A.C. history by Enfys McMurry

April 22, 2014 A.C. history by Enfys McMurry

Anonymous The Daily Iowegian The Daily Iowegian Tue Apr 22, 2014, 06:14 AM CDT

April 22, 1910: This was the day when the Interurban service between Centerville and Mystic began with a special dedication run. On board were the 165 bond subscribers in Centerville and Mystic who had made the Interurban possible. Among the group were J.A. and D.C. Bradley, who had contributed together almost $22,000 and whose father, William Bradley, had come to Centerville in 1856, establishing one successful business after another. Also present were Jesse M. Beck, editor of the Iowegian and Frank Payne, whose vision of extending Centerville Squares business eight years previously was now realized. The group posed before the camera. The day was cool. They wore hats and overcoats. One supported himself on a cane. They were handed folders with information on the quality of the construction, the power additions, the improvements planned and the security of their investments. They declared themselves well pleased.

At 7:30 every morning, two passenger cars of the Interurban departed from the east side of Centervilles Courthouse Square. They proceeded up North Main, turned west on Madison to Seventh Street, then north for the 25-minute journey to Mystic. A conductor collected the fares: 20 cents one way, $1 for three round trips. In a five-minute stop in Mystic, the motorman climbed to the top of the cars and adjusted controls allowing them to change directions, leaving Mystic for Centerville at 8 a.m. a pattern repeated every hour. (171)

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A.C. history by Enfys McMurry