Prologue: Wadena’s First B & B!!
We left the Bridge story with an epilogue detailing a soup supper sponsored by the Wadena Community Club, a community organization that my parents supported with a lot of volunteer hours. The Community Club had soup suppers, Holiday events, parties for kids, and other efforts to promote Wadena. My folks believed these events provided an opportunity to encourage community spirit and foster an atmosphere of cooperation. They also liked to have fun.
The soup supper story mentioned Jenny’s secret ingredient which was Wadena Butter. The recipe was simple – just add one pound of butter to each kettle of soup! Although few ever knew her secret, she was recognized as one of, if not the best, cook in our area. I felt very privileged that she shared this amazing secret ingredient with me. But try as I have so many times over these many years, I have not been able to duplicate Jenny’s success with soups or other dishes I have embellished with the Secret Ingredient. For a very long time I have known she did not share all of her recipe secrets with me. However, I continue to add REAL butter to just about everything I cook just to honor her great memory. Honestly, it is not just an excuse to introduce the totally amazing taste of REAL butter into most things I eat. Do you think I would be that self-serving? [Maybe?]
The suppers were always well attended. The Halloween parties were amazing. I hope to share some of those stories as time goes on – which it will.
The Wadena Community Club held a BRIDGE OPENING CELEBRATION for the new replacement bridge and my folks were part of organizing the event.
“Wadena’s 1st B & B” was my way of connecting Wadena Butter with the Wadena Bridge – and attempting to show that my Bunny Trail did have some connection to the Bridge falling post. This leads me to the rest of the story. [End of Prologue.}
FINALLY: The Night the Bridge Fell Down in Wadena Part 2
The Wadena Bridge fell down in January 1963. This bridge had been built in 1884 and had stood up to major flooding through the years. The engineer said it had been damaged by a prior accident but that had not been discovered until the loaded semi crossed it on that Sunday evening.
Fayette County took immediate action to remove the old bridge and build a new one at a cost of $75,000. The new bridge was completed by mid-summer and a Wadena Bridge Opening Celebration was set for August. This was a very important event for Wadena and the organizers wanted to show the community’s appreciation for having the South entrance to Wadena reopened. It would prove to be quite an event.
The main attraction was that the same driver of the semi that was the last vehicle to cross the old bridge would be the first driver to cross the new bridge. He did drive the same semi-tractor but pulled a different tanker trailer – one that was empty this time!
Two well-known radio/tv personalities from Cedar Rapids attended bringing attention to the celebration to all of Eastern Iowa. Judge Antes was the main speaker, Keith Jennings [my Dad’s business neighbor and Fire Department buddy] was the emcee and the Valley Community School’s High School Band played while standing on the new bridge! It was a BIG DAY in Wadena – and I mean that seriously. Few small towns would ever match Wadena’s ability to hold a fine celebration! And this one was one to be remembered.
The Wadena Bridge Celebration was a very big event. This article says that hundreds of people attended. Although a bit grainy, the photos show Mayor Corkery cutting the ribbon; Emcee Keith Jennings – Dad’s good friend, business neighbor and Wadena Fire Chief, alternating the position with Dad; the semi driver who crossed the old bridge last and the new bridge first; and the Valley High School Band standing on the new bridge. The article gives a great account of this event and the reasons it was held. I would encourage you to read the neighboring article giving the details of those visiting others and also those receiving visitors. Those of you with Wadena roots will recognize some of the names. One visitor, Terry, returned home after visiting his grandmother in Wadena. I knew Terry as he visited Wadena many summers. And, Paul Crandall’s niece served breakfast to Janice, two grandsons and me this past Saturday at a restaurant in Elkader! Jeanie grew up in Wadena and her Uncle Paul was the banker. Notice the new TV for sale for $65. Times and TV’s have changed. Thanks to the Union Echo Leader Publisher for referring me to this resource. I do suggest, if you are in the area, that you drive over the Wadena Bridge and stop at Barney’s for a great Barney Burger and Fries! If Barney is there, he is a great historian of Wadena. Tell him I sent you!! And order another beverage!!
From the news article we know there was a parade although that may have consisted of the semi and the Valley band after the driver and truck safely negotiated the very first crossing of the newly constructed span. I remember some concern of having such a heavy vehicle “break in” (sorry) the new structure but as mentioned above the driver brought an empty tanker. Time has proven that any concern for the structural integrity of this new bridge was not warranted. And that is a very good thing!
I am certain there was food available that day, but Jenny had passed on by then so it likely was not butter-infused soup. And usually, a Wadena celebration included a stand or two and there was no doubt a tavern or two open. I do know it was well-intended as all of the Wadena events were. It is almost certain that a good time was had by all!
I sort of wish that I could remember more of the Celebration events of that day. My reason for missing much of the Wadena Bridge Celebration was not due to illness or drinking or forgetting it was happening. The reason was what might be called a “good deed” with possibly some selfish intent – which was part of being a teenager. I think it is still part of that age group even today. So, I tell this with no guilt and some pride although I will admit it was not my plan nor intention to be led astray. I am certain it seemed like a really good idea at the time.
Being a nice young fellow, I was glad to be asked for help and guidance. That possibly is a stretch of the real story. I was asked by a young lady from a neighboring town that I met that day to be her tour guide. She was nice and fun and very good looking. My day was mostly spent showing this young lady many of the interesting features and sights of the Wadena community and area. She was older than me and drove her car on the tour. She seemed to know the area. I think we may have gone on an actual date later that summer, but I do not remember for certain, and I have long ago forgotten her name.
I was mildly reminded by my mother that it would have been nice if I had listened to the judge’s speech and the band. I doubt I would remember those moments either. Such is youth. And I have no desire to try to recreate any of those teenage experiences. In fact, at my age I always want to be the driver so right there we would have a problem.
And I do not think the stone barn in the country that she took me to is still standing.
The NEW Wadena Bridge IS still standing! And that is all I have to say about that.
