Early in its
history, with an abundance of fertile soil, Shenandoah became
the seed and nursery capital of America. Through the years the
city has enjoyed success and fame for its ability to
nurture business, the arts and a sense of community. Today,
Shenandoah is a vibrant town which continues to fulfill its
early promise of a place where beautiful things grow.
Shenandoah,
located in the Nishnabotna River Valley, provided early settlers
with a sense of beauty and promise that inspired them to sow the
seeds of their families’ future on this land. Originally called
Fair Oaks, Shenandoah took its permanent name on August 6,
1870. Soldiers returning from the Civil War saw a striking
resemblance to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
As with many
towns, Shenandoah’s growth was spurred on by the railroad. The
Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad work was completed in
the summer of 1870. The completion of the railroad meant more
travelers passing through Shenandoah and more people deciding to
call Shenandoah home.
Deeply rooted
in the nursery industry, Shenandoah’s seeds for growth and
opportunity were planted in 1875 with the dawn of the Mt. Arbor
Nurseries.
Four years
prior, in 1871, a young Henry Fields was born in Shenandoah.
According to company history, Henry had sold his first packet of
seeds by the age of six. It took another 15 years for a
youthful Fields to actually grow, harvest, and
market his own seeds locally. By the
time Fields passed away in 1949, the Henry Field Company was one
of the largest and best-known companies of its kind in the
United States.
Another local
company synonymous with growing and Shenandoah is Earl May Seed
and Nursery. Earl May, a Nebraska man, sold garden seeds in the
Midwest and South to pay his way through college. May moved to
Shenandoah in 1915 to work at the Mt. Arbor Nursery. Three
years later he founded the company that still bears his name and
is known throughout Iowa and three other states.
More than just
trees, vegetables, and flowers have sprung from Shenandoah’s fertile
soil. Their competitive nature and marketing prowess spurred
the nursery owners to success in a far different endeavor. May
and Fields created radio stations to broadcast their commercials
and entertainment throughout the Midwest and across the
country. Fields launched KFNF in 1924. Not to be outdone, the
call letters of KMA were first heard over the crackle of a radio
in 1925.
Live
broadcasts of music, news, and information were beamed from
studios and auditoriums built by the stations. Shenandoah
became known throughout the Midwest as a stopping point for
young entertainers trying to further their way in the
entertainment world. Early entertainers lured to the stages in
Shenandoah included the Blackwood Brothers in 1940 and other
well known era entertainers.
The homespun
Shenandoah talent of the Everly Brothers also found its way to
the KMA stage. Although Don and Phil Everly were born in
Brownie, Kentucky, the draw of a radio appearance on KFNF
brought their musical family to Shenandoah in 1945. After
several years they left Shenandoah in the summer of ’55. They
still consider Shenandoah an important part of their musical
legacy. The Everlys went on to national and international
acclaim with the songs “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie,”
and “Cathy’s Clown”.
Even beyond
the nursery and radio business, Shenandoah’s entrepreneurial
spirit has helped build a strong independent community. Within
its own county (Page), Shenandoah is not the largest town, nor
the county seat. Yet, it boasts several homegrown businesses
that thrive and prove once again Shenandoah is a place where
things grow.
Picture and article by Shelly Smith
For more information about Shenandoah, visit the Shenandoah
Chamber and Industry Association’s website at
www.shenandoahiowa.net.
