• Timeline
  • Wallace and Beverly Winkie Foundation
  • Lifelong Learner Hall of Fame
  • Multimedia Exhibits
  • The Book
  • Contact Us
  • Events Page
  • Blog
  • Tombstone Trial: The Iowa Connection
  • Stars Over 70
Park It! Virtual Museum

Coast to Coast


Click on photos to enlarge.

Picture



The business opened as a Coast to Coast store on February 2, 1937, with James and Ruby Murphy, and Ruby's brother Arthur Riherd helping them. It was in the Axler Building, which is the innermost building (right in picture).    

Shortly after Arthur returned from the war in 1946, they broke through the wall into the middle building to expand and sell furniture and appliances. 


Picture
 

In 1966, they expanded again and included the corner buildings owned by Harold Kelly. Art's son David returned from college and began working with his father and in 1974 they formed a partnership. 




Left: 1940's store interior


Picture


For the 50th anniversary of the store in 1987, the business experienced another change when all the aisles and departments were relaid. 




Left: how the store looked before aisles were relaid. 

Picture


Coast to Coast and Servistar had already merged when they became part of True Value in 1977. In 2000, the name changed and the red-and-white sign of True Value was hung.







Picture


Main Street after the Great Fire, with the Coast to Coast
 left standing.

History in Photos Page



Links
http://www.iowalifelonglearners.com/
ebook available at Amazon.com
Belle Plaine Community Library
Iowa Gold Star Military Museum
soaplicity
Belle Plaine Events Planner​
Heritage Area Agency on Aging
University of Northern Iowallu.uni.edu/ Lifelong University
Belle Plaine American Legion Post 39