“Life is Pretty Good Here…”

The birth place of Donna Reed has adopted “It’s a wonderful Life” as its slogan and painted the phrase on the water tower that hovers over everything in town. Denison, Iowa is as close to the heart of Middle America as it gets. In many respects, as Dale Maharidge wrote in his tell all book, life is pretty good here.

Searching for the soul of America through the secrets of a Midwest town he notes there had been a moment of great hope in 1965, the year a new University, Midwestern College, opened its doors in Denison. The school was built east of the town and located on what became known as College Hill. By 1970 it was out of business, chief among the reasons were under funding and cessation of college draft deferments.

“Denison, Iowa is as close to the heart of Middle America as it gets.

That the Queen and King are dead are merely facts. That the Queen is dead and the King died of a broken heart tells a far richer story of that which remains. There are lasting relations and friendships forged by students with each other and many residents of a small Midwestern town. More than forty years after the schools closing students and residents continue to share remembrances.

Some students never left and enjoyed life’s adventure in small town Iowa. Classmate Marcia Bailer is one who remained and she together with her husband Paul Losh operate a successful construction company in town. Using old world craftsmanship they renovated the Candy Kitchen. Booths have been replaced with tables and the old fashioned soda fountain is back in action. Their joy of a job done well is deserved. The Ritz Theatre received a facelift and was renamed in honor of Donna Reed and operates on a limited schedule. The interior with its grand balcony looks much the same as remembered.

In many ways Denison too has changed. Time hasn’t passed the town by and growth is seen everywhere. Although you’ll find similarities the small town touch and feel has changed. The Ritz Theater is not always open, there are fewer cafe’s and old time bars having snooker tables. It’s all there but no longer as the town you remember. Time hasn’t passed Denison by and growth is evident. Iowa farmers discovered a cash crop in the housing market and the city has experienced a resurgence during the last decade. Development and new construction is on pace with the rest of America. In addition to new homes the city has experienced an expansion of commercial development, largely focused along the Highway 59 and Route 30 corridors. Yes, there’s a Walmart.

Landmarks like Cronks Cafe continue to receive patrons in the same friendly manner for which they’re well known. Main Street was treated to a face lift of new walkways, granite curbs, old style cast iron street lights, with flower boxes and hanging plants seen everywhere. However, ornamental storefronts with recessed entrances were modernized with flush fronts. Those old time voluminous window displays are mostly gone

Sadly, the D House was razed and replaced with a box building occupied for a time by a drug store which closed when Walmart opened. The Nilsen house has been replaced with a stylish new office building. The Montgomery Ward building has been converted to an indoor mall featuring a variety of stores and offices. Gone are Belluccis’ and Johns’ and the DQ is occupied by another vendor. There are many large windmills generating electric in a wind farm along the landscape beyond town.

Denison doesn’t pretend to be Disney World, but if you hanker to see town squares lined by mom and pop stores, water towers with bold statements, grain elevators and the orange sunsets of summer a road trip through the heartland is calling. Tell those you meet you were a student at Midwestern College and don’t be surprised how many people remember.[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””][/pullquote]

The city of Dension, maintains a regularly updated website which should be viewed for detailed information. Also, the free encyclopedia Wikipedia offers a well regarded reference resource.