106 PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 



It is above this bluff that is located one of the most inviting spots 

 to be found in the whole state of Iowa the city park. For years this 

 wooded tract was a favorite playground of the youth of the town. Some 

 years the people gathered under its inviting shade for Memorial day or 

 Fourth of July exercises, and picnics were frequently held here. Not 

 until it threatened to be sold and used for farming operations were 

 the people aroused to the real beauty of the spot. Several years 

 previous it had been offered to the city for park purposes at a modest 

 sum, but at that time no one seemed interested. Even when the dan- 

 ger of losing it permanently became real, only prompt action saved it 

 to the city. Under the direction of a duly constituted park commission 

 drives have been laid out, pavilions, look-outs and structures of stone 

 in ornamental design, erected, and playground fixtures installed for 

 the entertainment of children. Tables for picnics are placed here and 

 there, and during the summer band concerts are given on Sunday aft- 

 ernoons and evenings. The fame of the park has traveled far. No 

 attempt has been made to beautify it in the way that is frequently em- 

 ployed in larger cities this has not been necessary because nature has 

 provided for that, leaving for man comparatively minor details. Peopl? 

 come long distances to spend the day here, and on Sundays and holi- 

 days one is sure to find cities 50 to 100 miles distant represented in the 

 throngs. The views up and down the river from the park have often 

 been compared to those of greater fame in foreign lands. 



Nature has not been alone in making Decorah a place worth visit- 

 ing. Her citizens realize the worth and pleasure of inviting surround- 

 ings and have built homes that compare favorably with those of larger 

 cities. Her business streets are paved and the thoroughfares throughout 

 the residence districts are well kept. The enterprise of the community 

 is further reflected by public buildings of substantial and beautiful pro- 

 portions. Among these are the Grand Opera house, Winneshiek hotel 

 and the Decorah hospital, all built by private subscription. A courthouse 

 costing $200,000 stands on an eminence in the center of the city and is 

 flanked on one side by the government postoffice, built at an expense 

 of $65,000 while on two other sides are four of the leading churches. 



Decorah has long been known as an educational center. In addi- 

 tion to Luther college there are excellent public schools, and Valder 

 college where commercial and normal training are featured. Print- 

 ing is one of the chief industries. There are three English news- 

 papers, the largest weekly Norwegian newspaper in America, and 

 the publishing house of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Four banks 

 with combined resources of over $3,000,000 testify to the financial 

 stability of the community. The city owns a splendid water system. Two 

 wells supply water jthat passes the severest test for purity. Last year 

 a complete sewer system costing nearly $200,000 was installed. Gas 

 and electric franchises are owned by private corporations. Decorah is 

 the business center for the Interstate Power company, operating plants 

 in Decorah, Waukon, Cresco, Postville and Lansing, and owning two 

 dams on the Upper Iowa river that rank second in power development in 

 Iowa to the big dam at Keokuk. 



