Ginny's Research - Bridges and Buildings

My sister has been doing some research on the family.  Our great grandfather was John Cole and he and his Son and Brother Ben and Lew started a construction company and did much building. Lew withdrew from the firm but over the years the family built many bridges and buildings

She writes
Due to the Memorial Union's 85th Birthday celebration Monday night; I have been researching Ben Cole. Holy Crap his company built a lot of cool things!! Some I knew about. I also found photos on web-sites without labels as to who the lovely ladies are. Do any of you know?

Many of the photos are from the Ames Historical Society (Linked on the right) but since I gave them the collection of family pictures so that everyone could enjoy them I am certain that I still have some "rights" to use them

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Ben Cole & Son

of Ames, Iowa

View Exhibit map

BNSF Railroad Bridge (Lucas County, Iowa)
Built 1937
Arch bridge over BNSF Railroad on 200th Avenue
Open to traffic

CNW Grand Avenue Overpass #2 (Story County, Iowa)
Built 1937
Lost pony plate girder bridge over Grand Avenue
Removed

Herrold Bridge (Polk County, Iowa)
Built 1921
Concrete deck girder bridge over Beaver Creek
Closed to all traffic

Main Street Overpass (Story County, Iowa)
Built 1938
Steel stringer bridge over Grand Ave. (US69) on Main Street
Open to traffic

Skunk River Bridge (Story County, Iowa)
Movers, 1876
Warren through truss bridge over Skunk River on a vacated road in Ames
Abandoned

UP Grand Avenue Overpass (Story County, Iowa)
Built 1938
Steel stringer bridge over Grand Avenue on Union Pacific Railroad

Herrold bridge

County:	Polk
Alternate Name:
Constructed:	1921
Bridge Type:	concrete cantilevered deck girder
Physical Status:	replaced; still stands
Length:	feet
Width:	feet
Spans:		Click to view larger image
FHWA:	282190
Jurisdiction:	Iowa Army National Guard
Address: NW 88th Avenue over Beaver Creek, .6 miles north of Herrold, Section 22, T80N-R25W, on Camp Dodge
Description:  Built in 1921, the Herrold Bridge spans Beaver Creek near the abandoned town of Herrold on the Iowa Army National Guard installation in west-central Polk County. This outstanding early structure is comprised of three arched concrete deck girder spans, cantilevered from concrete abutments and piers. County engineer M.D. Blue surveyed the site late in 1920 for a new bridge that would replace an earlier timber pile structure here. That year engineers for the Iowa State Highway Commission's Bridge Department designed the new concrete structure, as well as a 150-foot steel through truss--the two configurations to be bid as alternates. As drawn up by ISHC, the deck girder alternate was comprised of a 64-foot central span, flanked on both sides by 42-foot girders; the bridge would consume some 607 cubic yards of concrete and 52,000 pounds of reinforcing steel. Polk County solicited competitive bids for the two bridges early the following year, using ISHC's designs and specifications. On March 29, 1921, the county awarded a contract to Ben Cole of Ames, Iowa, to build the concrete girder bridge for $24,550. Cole began work on the substructural excavation soon thereafter, completing the new Herrold Bridge later that year. It has functioned in place since, in essentially unaltered condition. The choice to use a rather esoteric structural type at this crossing was for the Highway Commission a logical extension of its design policies. ISHC had first developed the design for simply supported concrete girder bridges--designated Standard Series H--among its first standardized bridge plans in 1914. Three years later the ISHC designed its first cantilevered deck girder for a three-span structure over the Boyer River at Woodbine. The Woodbine Bridge was followed by a handful of other cantilevered girders in the 1910s and 1920s, including spans at Goldfield in Wright County, and this one at Herrold in Polk County. In its 1917 annual report, ISHC deemed the cantilevered deck girder design "particularly well adapted for use on deep drainage ditches and streams subject to widening." A cantilevered span could carry more weight over a greater distance than a shorter, simply-supported girder. Moreover, the arched profile of ISHC's cantilevered girders was considered more architecturally accomplished than the straight spandrel of simply supported girders. The Beaver Creek structure allowed the ISHC the opportunity to demonstrate the superiority and flexibility of concrete for bridge construction. With a 68-foot center span and a total length of 156 feet, the Herrold Bridge is an excellent example of this type of construction. It is one of the most technologically significant of the state's numerous concrete girder bridges [adapted from Crow-Dolby and Fraser 1993].

Burlington Railroad Overpass

County:	Lucas
Alternate Name:
Constructed:	1937
Bridge Type:	riveted 3-hinge deck arch
Physical Status:	remains in use
Length:	322 feet
Width:	30 feet
Spans:	6	Click to view larger image
FHWA:	226430
Jurisdiction:	Lucas County
Address: Co. Road S23 over Burlington Northern Railroad, Chariton Vicinity, 4.3 miles northwest of Chariton, Section 14/15, T72N-R22W (White Breast Township)
Description:  In the 1930s the Iowa State Highway Commission designed a handful of steel arch structures to function as grade separations in various locations in the state. One of these structures was this overpass over the Burlington Northern Railroad in central Lucas County. For this crossing the commission in 1936 drew up a single-span, three-hinge arch supported by concrete arch pedestals. The highway commission designated the project WPGS-620 and let a contract for its construction to Ben Cole and Son of Ames, Iowa. The overpass was completed and accepted by the highway commission in June 1937. It has since carried traffic in essentially unaltered condition. Until recently the last two steel arch overpasses in the state were located in Lucas and Clinton counties. The Clinton County arch has been replaced, leaving the Lucas County structure as the last remaining example of this bridge design trend. It is thus significant as a rare example of ISHC aesthetics and a unique structural type in the state [adapted from Fraser 1992].

Cole Contractors

from the September 26, 1939 Diamond Jubilee issue of the Ames Daily Tribune

In 1865, Ohio resident William Cole got western fever and came to Iowa on the railroad which was being built across the state that year. One of many who moved west after the end of the Civil War, he bought 390 acres on the bluff west of the Skunk River.  When he and his sons arrived with the family’s goods, depot conditions in Ames were very primitive. Their possessions were unloaded onto a wagon and it immediately became stuck in one of early Ames' famous bogs!  With the aid of a logging chain, the wagon was pulled to firmer ground.  The family’s farm included the area where Homewood golf course and Carr's Pool are now located, as well as some acreage on the east side of the Skunk River.

John, one of William’s sons, was 19 when he arrived in Ames in 1866, and had spent three years in the army during the Civil War. He was a husky lad who had not been able to attend much school, but was naturally bright.  John bought land in the area of 13th and Burnett and continued farming. Eventually, he turned to brick making and owned a plant at 13th & Burnett and one northeast of town on his father’s farm. He later became a well-regarded general contractor, a business he pursued for 35 years.

Two of John’s four sons, Lew and Ben, and then later Ben and his son Herman, continued in the building business. Ben passed away in 1939. John Cole's home at 13th & Burnett was occupied by family members from 1866 to 1967, when the last of John’s daughters died. The house was sold to the First Assembly of God and was demolished to make way for a church.

The jog in 13th Street at Burnett was caused when John planted a row of trees along the road.  When the city wanted to straighten and pave the street, John refused to let them cut down the trees to do it!

In addition to Ben, there were three other boys.  William continued to farm on land south of town.  Clarence Dig graduated from the Veterinary Department of Iowa State and was in charge of the Agricultural Experiment Station on the bank of the Skunk River, east of town. It was the forerunner of the National Animal Disease Laboratories.  Lew and Dig were members of Ames High's first football team.

The girls were Elizabeth, Jess, Nell, Catherine (Kate) and Avis.  Elizabeth, Jess, and Kate homesteaded in South Dakota and then returned home to Ames.  Avis taught first grade in Old Central (east of Clark between 5th and 6th) and Roosevelt School for about 40 years.  Nell was a school teacher at the Ray School and Catherine was with the Iowa State Extension Service for many years.  The girls were all active in social clubs of the day.  Catherine and Jess were members of a merry social club called the Bachelor Maids which started when they were in high school and continued until all were quite advanced in years.

There are fourth, fifth, and sixth generations of the Cole family still living in Ames.
 

click to enlarge image

This downtown Ames construction photo shows John Cole (in vest) and a work crew.

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the Cole steam-powered trenching machine

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another view of the Cole trencher and crew

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1917 bridge building project by Ben Cole & Co.

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Cement mixer working next to a riverbank

(next page)

Living quarters on site

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Examples Of Cole-built Structures (John, Lew, Ben, or Herman) Ames Savings and Loan Building Bridges     Logan, Lincoln Highway         (largest viaduct in Iowa)     Mahaska County, Highway No. 2         (longest bridge in Iowa on state highways) City of Ames      City Hall (formerly Ames High School)      Filtration Plant & Reservoir      Implement Shed      Lincoln School addition      Louise Crawford School (1930)      Underpass on Grand Avenue (1938)      Water Softening Building & Plant College Savings Bank Cranford Apartments Duitch (Max) Garage Fair Store (1895) Fareway Grocery at 417 Kellogg (1938) Iowa State College buildings     Armory     Chemistry     Fraternities & Sororities          Adelante          Alpha Sigma Phi          Beta Theta Pi          Delta Delta Delta          Delta Sigma Phi          Gamma Phi Beta          Kappa Delta          Pi Kappa Alpha          Sigma Phi Epsilon          Sigma Sigma      Memorial Union 4th & 5th floors Knapp (Herman) residence Lechner Building (formerly Adams Building) McFarland Clinic at 313 5th Street Octagon (formerly Masonic Building) St. Cecilia Catholic Church on Lincoln Way      (now demolished) Sheldon-Munn Hotel addition to the west Standard Oil Station Tilden Building Tribune Building West Super Service Station Yates Oil Co.

Memorial plaque at the north approach to the Grand Avenue underpass built by Ben Cole

 

 

    Citation: 118.647.4 (Full image size: 91Kb)

This photograph was taken, in about 1895, of a construction job on the south side of Onondaga (Main) Street in Ames of a structure which today [2010] is 236 Main and is occupied by Gilger Designs. The building to the left of the store under construction (west of it) is wooden. The brick store to the left of the store under construction (east of it) was occupied for many years by the Fair Store. The Fair Store and the store here under construction were built by John Cole, a Civil War veteran, who came to Ames in 1865 at the age of 19. His son Ben also became a builder [Ben Cole & Son] and built many of Ames's iconic stuctures (the Sixth Street overpass, the 1937 Ames High School building, which in 1990 became the Ames City Hall). The men in this photograph are not identified except for John Cole, the man in the vest on the far right.

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BEN COLE & SON

    Citation: 197.1121.5 (Full image size: 56Kb) 

Construction of the Grand Avenue underpass got underway in 1936. Shown here are changes in the street grade being made at the Fifth Street corner. A Ben Cole Construction truck can be seen. Photo, courtesy of the Iowa Department of Transportation.

    Citation: 127.700.2-4 (Full image size: 60Kb)

Bids for the construction of the Grand Avenue underpass were received in August, 1936. The contract was awarded to Ben Cole & Son of Ames. Looking southeasterly in this photo from the mainline of the railroad we can see the excavation partly completed. The Ames High School Field House, on the south side of Lincoln Way, at upper left, was in its prime. Kimler Coal & Ice office is at far left. (See also: 131.718.5-6) Photo, courtesy of the Iowa Department of Transportation.

    Citation: 131.718.2-4 (Full image size: 69Kb) 

Construction workers build the Grand Avenue underpass. Heavy timbers were used to temporarily support the railroad tracks that continued to carry their traffic while construction of the underpass proceeded. Ben Cole & Son, which was also building the new Ames High School at the same time, was the contractor. One of the company's trucks is shown here. During construction all of the Grand Avenue traffic was detoured over a temporary railroad crossing south of Brookridge Avenue, which later became permanent. The underpass was completed in 1938. Photo, courtesy of the Iowa Department of Transportation.

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Simple Gifts.

Some years ago I gave this game table to the Ames Historical Society.

My grandmother had it in her shop. I don't remember where she got it but my grandfather refinished it.  After he retired he refinished a  lot of furniture for my grandmother who sold them in her antique shop.

I liked the table but felt that it would be something I could give to the community.

This is one of two matching chairs that I also gave to the Society.  It belonged to the Underwood family.  My grandmother was an Underwood.  You really could not sit in them because they are somewhat fragile.  I thought they would look good in the museum.  They were thinking of getting rid if then but the decision was made that they could   risk the chair as a prop with a stereopticon, a quintessential Victorian item.  A small sign reads "Please do not sit in chair."

The Cole Family

 I also decided that the family pictures which were sitting in my basement really belonged to the community and they were given to the Society.  That way family members can visit them and use them (one cousin from out of town has already done this) and they are part of the heritage of the community.  I am glad they are there where they will be preserved.  You can click on them to see a larger version.

The Cole Girls

 The Underwoods.

My grandmother was an Underwood and my grandfather was Cole (Irish) and Gordon Clan (Scottish)  So I have always said I was Scotch, Irish and English on my mother's side.  My father's family came from Germany and originally were names Silmser.

In 1976 I got a letter from a company wanting to sell me a flag to fly during the Bicentennial.  They kindly informed me that the Simsers had been in the country since the Revolutionary War and I should send them $40 (or so) to let people know that the Simsers were a "Bicentennial Family."  I wrote them back and told them that I was indeed proud of my heritage but that it was the Coles and the Underwoods who had fought in the Revolutionary War on the side of the Colonies.  The Simsers were United Empire Loyalists who went to Canada following the war and then returned to this country in the 1800's.  I enjoyed writing that letter and I never heard from that company again.  Thanks for stopping by.  Hugs.

My family helped build this town.

Probably the most wonderful traffic convenience in our town is the underpass.  This is a picture of it being built.  It came from the Ames Historical Society Web Site.


Why am I featuring it?  Because today I want to brag about my family. This is a picture of my grandfather and his three brothers

The Cole brothers, left to right: Ben, William, Lew, and Clarence.

The four Cole brothers, who were active in the business and professional life of early Ames.  Lew Cole (1880-1954), a farmer and owner of a Landfill South of town; William (Will) Cole (1871-1955); Clarence "Dig" Cole (1882-1968), a veterinarian who from 1927 to 1952 was the head of the Hog Cholera Station, the forerunner to the National Animal Disease Laboratories, in Ames; and Ben Cole (1873-1939), a builder whose company, Ben Cole & Son, constructed the Grand Avenue underpass in 1937-1938 (See picture above) and the new Ames High School (since 1990, the Ames City Hall) which opened for classes in the fall of 1939 on the west corner of Sixth Street and Clark Avenue. 

Again from the Historical Society's connection to the Farwell T. Brown Photo Archives


John Cole, (My great-grandfather)  a Civil War veteran, came to Ames in 1865 at age 19. He became a builder and erected this building on Onondaga (Main) Street in 1895 at the commission of Professor Joseph L. Budd, head of the Horticulture Department at Iowa State College. 


The building's first occupant was the Fair Store, founded by Joseph Jacobs in September, 1895. Located on the south side of Main Street, east of Kellogg Avenue,... Shown here (around 1913) are E. W. Valentine, Joseph Jacobs, three unidentified male clerks, Catherine Cole, Ethel Meeker, and Kate McMichael (later Mrs. Lew Cole). 


My great uncles were a part of my life as I was growing up from 1941 until my mother remarried and we moved to Atlantic Iowa in 1951 (?)  My Uncle Lew and my Aunt Kate (Kate McMichael in the picture above) were my school lunch program while I was in school.  Their home at 522 Crawford was about 4 blocks from school and I would go there every day for lunch and also on Wednesday evening.  On Wednesdays I would hang out with the slightly older boy who lived with his parents in the apartment upstairs.  I loved the house and the neighborhood (still do)  It had been built by my maternal great grandfather George Underwood who was tall and built it with high ceilings and doors.  He was mayor of Ames for a period and was also Master of Arcadia Lodge #249. (His daughter is in the picture just above Ethel Meeker).  


My Uncle Billy is a more distant memory because he was killed in a car accident when I was little. I don't remember Uncle Ben at all but I do remember his son who took over the Construction Firm.  My mother and I lived with my grandfather who did not like the name Clarence and went by "Doc" or "Dig" (He and the other Clarence who worked at the station called each other P.T. I found out later that the initials stood for Pig Turd.  They did work at the Hog Cholera Research station after all.)


There were five sisters - Elizabeth, Avis (school teacher in Ames for 40 years at Roosevelt School,)  Catherine (Kate) who worked at the University (in the picture above)  When I was little three of them lived in the "home place" at 13th and Burnett Ave. Aunts Jess and Nell were married and I did not know them very well)

Every Saturday night I would spend the night there and we (Aunt Kate, Aunt Kate Mike, Aunt Avis and I would all pile into Uncle Lew's car and go for a drive.  Many times we would stop outside "Red Shipley's Barber Shop in Campus town and wait while Uncle Lew went in and got his hairscut.  I remember his old Nash and how neat it was when I was finally able to stretch from door to door.  Uncle Lew seldom closed the door to his car.  He would just get in and gun the engine and the doors would close automatically. People describe him as a hard man to work for and he probably was but he treated his great nephew wonderfully.  I adored him and would ride around with him and go to the land fill where people were going through the mounds of trash to find things of worth that they could pick.  I suppose they were the first American Pickers.


William was my great-great grandfather and he was the one who brought the family to Ames in 1865. With all the history of the Cole family and the building that they did in this town it seems strange to me that there hasn't been a Cole Street somewhere in the town. 


Why did they come to Ames in 1865.  Simple - that was as far as the trains went at that time.  I think that it was a good move.  Ames has been a great place to live and I think my family has made some good contributions to Ames.


Oh, one more thing. Mrs. Meeker (my grandmother's sister) was a photographer and took lots of pictures.  I had books and books of pictures which I had in the basement for a long time.  No longer...what did I do with them?  I donated them to the Historical Society.  Seems to me they are better preserved there.  


Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed the little story. Hugs, j

Ames Historical Society

We don't actually have a Museum in Ames but we have a society and they are doing a great job. They provide programs and research the history of our little town. It is important work.
I stopped by the Society (Link on the left) this noon after lunch to pay my dues. I had gotten the newsletter the other day and realized it was time to pay again. I also paid Jon's. My friend and classmate from elementary school was not there but they took my money anyway. Dennis is remodeling his basement.
The newsletter had a long article about my friend and Brother Adel Throckmorton in it. Adel left the Society a nice bequest. He was very active in many things. I thought the article left out some of his Masonic accomplishments but that was from my standpoint. It was a very good article and I learned some things I had not known. One thing was that the restaurant that he and his family ran was where the May House is today and that they sold it to Alice Dykes who was a friend of ours and Mary Cooper's mother.
These are some of the displays you can see if you stop by the Society and while you are there you can join or make a donation. I also dontated most of the "family" pictures to them. That is where they should be rather than moldering in the basement.
This is the antique game table that I donated to the Society. I wish we had a real museum but this is a start.