URBAN RENEWAL
In the mid-1970s, the federal government initiated a program of urban renewal to improve both cities and small communities, to eliminate blight, and to save the old and blend it with the new.
Incentives were provided by the government for the creation of urban renewal programs, and Manning decided to take advantage of these incentives. The mayor appointed a five-member urban renewal board, the Chamber of Commerce was briefed on possibilities for their businesses, and property owners were approached about building designs.
Although Manning has a fair representation of ancestry, the town is overwhelmingly German. A form of architecture was sought to reflect this heritage. The Bavarian theme, which has come to epitomize all of Germany, was the obvious choice.
An ordinance has been passed by the City Council that new and remodeled buildings in the business district must follow the Bavarian theme and have the plans approved by the urban renewal agency. In the past three years, more than a dozen businesses and homes have sprouted the new look.
Present members of the board are Orval Fink, Elmer Mueller, Charles Rauch, Tom MacDonald-Williams and Ronald Colling.
WHAT IS BAVARIAN?
What is today considered Bavarian is the end result of centuries of architectural evolution. At the beginning of the 11th century, the stone houses of the nobility and the Church were of the Norman or Romanesque style. The dwellings of the peasants were of much cruder materials and bore no specific style. They were constructed of materials known as wattle and daub. A frame of heavier timbers was first constructed, which would outline the walls and windows. Wattles, or split branches, were then woven between the frame, and then a mixture of clay, straw and mud was applied to the wattle.
This was the origin of halftimbering, or Bavarian. As time passed there arose a middle class which could afford better than wattle and daub, so they constructed two and three storied houses of large beam frames, filling in the spaces with rubble and smoothing them over with mortar, which was often lime or white-washed. As the style evolved intricacies appeared such as carved corbels, steeped gables, curved and pierced timbers.
By the end of the 17th Century, little if any new halftimbering was being built, due to the advent of accessible stone and high quality bricks. In Bavaria, however, the style continued to evolve with the addition of steep overhangs, window boxes, pierced work, and shutters and balconies.
Although many examples of this style can be found throughout Europe today, the majority of both old and new can be found in Bavaria and its adjoining regions.
AGRICULTURE APPRECIATION DAY
In 1978 the Chamber of Commerce established the Agriculture Appreciation Day. Ken Puck, who was president of the Chamber, with the help of Rexanne Struve, managed the program and plans for the day. The organization's wish was to have the entire community involved rather than a day with just the Chamber taking part.
A parade started the day with about 75 entries consisting of tractors, farming implements, antique autos, floats and horses from the local community and surrounding area.
The Continental Soya Corporation plant was chosen as the first business to be recognized for its contribution to the town and rural economy. Robert Lounsberry, Iowa State Secretary of Agriculture, was the honored speaker for the day. The Jaycees sponsored a tractor pull and there were many stands and activities by local organizations.
The second Ag Appreciation Day was held in August, 1979. The same type of program was carried throughout the day. The L.R. Nelson Manufacturing firm was the business to be recognized. Mr. David Ransburg, president of the firm, was here from Peoria, Illinois, to be the principal speaker.
In 1980 the third Ag Day was held August 2, when the M.J.M. Enterprises was selected for recognition. David Rauch, president of the firm, was the speaker, and tours of the plant were given. The day was planned to carry out the same activities as before, again involving the area's clubs and organizations for stands, games, and special events.
The day is always observed in August, the beginning of the harvest season for the agricultural region. The area producers are to be congratulated and the Chamber of Commerce wished to express the town's gratitude to those living in the farming area who have aided in the growth of the community.
