Woodbine’s historic facelift taking shape
BY LIBBY TORRES
For the Harrison County Times-Reporter
Downtown Woodbine has had a facelift, of sorts, with more to come.
There are currently three historic property projects going on, and one was completed in December. The work is being made possible, in part, thanks to grants from the Iowa Economic Development and Finance Authority, the Main Street Iowa Challenge and the Community Catalyst Program.
The Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant is provided by Main Street Iowa for brick-and-mortar projects and aims to enhance the social and economic status of business districts in Iowa, focusing on historic aspects of main streets.
The Catalyst Program focuses on small-town Iowa, with more than 40% of funds going to towns with fewer than 1,500 people. The Catalyst Program requires community buy-in with reciprocal funds and aims to restore original structures.
Woodbine has benefited from the grant-writing skills of Deb Sprecker, executive director of Woodbine Main Street. The grants were highly competitive, and she secured three for
the current and upcoming projects.
Sprecker describes the rural downtown buildings in places like Woodbine as “part of the culture.” And says, “when they are torn down, we never get them back.”
Dollie Bothwell, owner of the recently completed project at 402 Walker St., has similar sentiments.
“It’s important to keep track of our history,” Bothwell said. “Someday I want to put it all in a book for the next steward of the shop.”
Her floral shop, Fleurish Flowers, has recently completed its long journey since receiving grant money in November 2023. But the history of the building itself deserves a look. In the 1890s it was a dry goods store.
Eventually, it took on more recognizable visitors when Hyde and Vredenberg, future founders of Hy-Vee, met and worked together in the building. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic districts, and you can find the details still listed on the
plaque outside the building.
Its first real structural blow came during a massive tornado in 1913, which took out the beautiful top pediment and a wall. The long road to its restoration began after Dollie purchased the building in 2020 and began operating her floral business there.
The catalyst grant requires matching funds, so after finding funding to do the project the long process of securing the right people to do the job began. Bothwell worked as the contractor on the project while also continuing to run the floral business. When the south wall came down, it was mostly of its own accord. The collapse began in 2010, unbeknownst to Bothwell and her husband, Brad. They weren’t the owners then. By the time they purchased it in 2020, they knew it needed some work but weren’t aware it had
been crumbling slowly inside the wall until it was time to start the remodel.
The wall was removed completely during the summer months, so the flower shop could keep business going. There were little glimmers of something special along the way,
making the process that much more important. The original ceiling tiles were discovered under three layers of drop ceiling, and the original stained-glass facade was still intact — although it needed lots of love.
Bothwell’s commitment to the project, she says, stems in part from her love of antiques and the community that surrounded her.
“We’re protecting it so it doesn’t just become a green space. We need businesses (to stay) in town – The community has really stood behind me during this project.”
After 13 months of restoration efforts, the building was finished, and the grand re-opening was held during the town’s Bright Lights, Little City celebration in early December.
And while Bothwell might be done with her part now, there are two more grant-funded projects still in the works for Woodbine.
A new veterinary clinic is coming in April, and the Canopy Gas Station later this year.
Bothwell sums up the sentiment behind all these projects when she says: “Now people can walk in and see her (the building) as she was meant to be seen, as she was in 1878.”
