 The
Artesia Chapter of Belle Plaine, Iowa, was
organized June 28, 1946. The chapter is
named for an artesian basin that runs under
the town. On August 26, 1886, community
leaders decided to have a well dug for fire
protection. The driller’s work took a turn for
the worse when he attempted to use the force
of the water to enlarge the two-inch bore to
three inches. In a short time, the
three-inch hole became three feet. The
water fountain shot five feet into the
air. No one knows the exact amount of
water that escaped, but it is estimated that
30,000 to 50,000 gallons of water shot out in
the beginning. Quickly, the flow began
to lessen. Two weeks later, a University
of Chicago professor figured about 2,000
gallons per minute flowed into Belle
Plaine. Along with the water came a lot
of sand. It is estimated that 500 to 1,000
carloads shot out of the three-foot
hole. Fossil wood and large stones were
thrown out as well.
For thirteen months, locals and professionals
worked to get the 193-foot-deep Jumbo Well
under control. Today, on the corner of
Eighth Street and Eighth Avenue, sits a large
granite rock as an historical
marker. In 1955, the Artesia Chapter of
the Daughters of the American Revolution added
a bronze plaque on the rock that notes the
location of the famous Jumbo Well.
Members of our chapter attend Jumbo Well
Ceremonies at Jumbo Well Days in
September. We also attend the local
Veterans Day Program at Belle Plaine High
School in November. At this program we
give out the DAR Good Citizens Award to a
local high school student.
We celebrate Constitution Week in September by
placing displays in the Belle Plaine Museum
and the Belle Plaine Library, and we give
items to the Belle Plaine Nursing Home.
Members also volunteer at the Veterans
Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. |
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