City - Ft Dodge IA - Central Ave 1907 - LEFT SIDE 1 of 3
by Mike Savad
Title
City - Ft Dodge IA - Central Ave 1907 - LEFT SIDE 1 of 3
Artist
Mike Savad
Medium
Photograph - Hand Colored Photo
Description
Hand colored photo from 1907, June
Original title: Ft. Dodge, IA
Photographer: Frederick J Bandholtz
Location: Corner of 8th St & Central Ave, Ft. Dodge, IA
This is a triptych of a panorama, this is the Left Side and is the northeast corner of 8th Street and Central Avenue in Fort Dodge, Iowa, was once home to the Oleson Building, a prominent structure constructed in 1894 by Norwegian immigrant and local businessman Nils Oleson. This three-story brick building originally housed the Oleson Drug Company on the first floor and basement, while the upper levels contained offices and apartments. The third floor also served as a rehearsal and meeting space for the Grieg Male Chorus, a Norwegian-American musical group founded and directed by Oleson in the early 1890s.
At the time the Oleson Building was erected, Fort Dodge was experimenting with wood block paving in parts of downtown, including along Central Avenue. Wood streets, typically made from creosote-treated cedar or pine blocks, were seen as a quieter and smoother alternative to cobblestone or brick, making them particularly attractive for busy commercial districts and horse-drawn traffic. Wood was also abundant and relatively inexpensive in the region at the time. However, wood paving proved vulnerable to water damage, rot, and heavy wear from growing automobile traffic. As a result, many of the city's wooden streets, including those near the Oleson Building, were gradually replaced with more durable brick and eventually concrete through the early to mid-20th century. By the 1930s, most of Fort Dodge's wooden streets had been removed.
Oleson himself was more than a businessman, he was a generous civic leader and philanthropist. He and his wife, Julie Haskell Oleson, donated land that became Oleson Park in southeast Fort Dodge and Leif Erickson Park on the city's west side. He was also instrumental in the founding of Lutheran Hospital. After his passing, Julie continued their legacy of community support, contributing generously to the hospital, the YWCA, and other public institutions. Upon her death, she bequeathed more than $2 million to Lutheran Hospital.
The Oleson Building stood as a central fixture in downtown Fort Dodge for nearly a century before it was ultimately demolished. Today, the site is part of the City Square (formerly City Green) parking lot, adjacent to Central Avenues' historic business district, a location that still echoes with the civic spirit and rich heritage of early Fort Dodge.
Uploaded
April 16th, 2025
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