HAWARDEN—It takes a village and Hawarden just so happens to have one — Calliope Village. Zach Hill of Glendale, AZ, recently hosted an online fundraiser for his birthday with the donations slated to go to Calliope Village, a place near and dear to his heart.
Hill grew up in Hawarden and has always had an interest in Hawarden’s history. He remembers going to visit several elders in the community on a monthly basis with one of those people being everyone’s “grandmother” Carr.
“I used to love to hear her stories of Calliope,” Hill said. “She was the one who inspired this 13-year-old scout to start a village in Calliope one day. That one day came, a year later, after she had sadly passed. I was 14-years-old and about to complete my Eagle Scout award, but needed a project. I already knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to start a historical village in Hawarden. And grandma Carr’s deteriorating house was the first one I wanted to save.”
The home was scheduled for demolition by the city of Hawarden. Hill had gone to a city council meeting about his suggestion and what he wanted to do for his Eagle Scout project. Most of the city council thought it was a waste of money and that the building should be torn down. The discussion was tabled the first time. Hill had to return two more times in front of the council with his plans and ideas.
“Finally Harry Langkorst, the sitting mayor at the time, believed in my idea and said he would oversee my troops work,” Hill said. “He convinced the city council to accept my project. The city gave me $1,000 to start and Harry himself give us an extra $500 and became the founder of Calliope Village.”
Work began in October of 1975 and a rebirth of Calliope and the Stage Coach Depot started. The scouts, the leaders and the parents were very supportive of the project according to Hill. A vision Hill had as a teenager was about to become a real reality and he was elated.
“I also helped organize the current Historical Society to support our cause and our future,” Hill said. “I was its youngest charter member. I have remained active for the past 48 years this October from afar. I am the Historical Society’s fundraiser chairperson.”
Through the help of many generous donors, the Historical Society has been able to raise more than $20,000 the last several years. Last year it was for the old Sioux Movie Theater sign that now shines bright at Calliope Village.
Hill decided to do a Facebook birthday fundraiser last year for Calliope Village and $550 was raised. This year, landscaping around the old Calliope Store was needed, so the Historical Society asked Hill to raise money during his annual birthday drive to go toward that.
“So a goal was set of $1,000,” Hill said. “To date with checks still coming in we have raised $7,995. I couldn’t believe the generous Hawardenites who were coming out of the woodwork to support Calliope Village, Hawarden and our cause. We have not had a meeting since, but there are several needs and projects that this money will be used for to help us grow and improve one of Iowa’s largest historical villages right here in Hawarden.”
Citizens came together and raised funds to get the Sioux sign shining again. Now the community came together for Zach Hill’s birthday and raised more than $7,000.
Calliope Village has put Hawarden on the map. Many area schools, groups and individuals visit from miles away every year. “Calliope and Hawarden remain a passion of mine,” Hill said. “In scouting they taught you to leave campsite better than that you for the next campers. I’ve always remembered that. I’m hoping I can make a difference for our community and for many generations to enjoy and recall our history for years to come.”
Hill’s birthday fundraiser lasted 30 days. Hill turned 62 and said he has never been more proud of Calliope Village, it’s volunteers and financial donors.
“We are self supporting,” Hill said. “The city takes care of mowing, the electric and the insurance. But we take care of everything else. That’s why donations are so important to expand new historical buildings, add new exhibits, repair needs and upkeep. There’s always something going on at Calliope. And more exciting things to come. We’re not done yet. Our history continues … more preservation will always need to be done. New opportunities will arise.”
Current projects underway at Calliope Village are a new double door on the post office building that will allow people to see the lit Sioux Theater sign at night. Landscaping around the old Calliope Store and the residential part of the old Calliope Store is currently under restoration. There has been some talk about an exhibit or a memorial of the old Gladstone Hotel. The village has a current old building used for storage that needs to be addressed and in turn, Calliope will then need a plan for storage.
A few ideas Hill would like to see done in the future include a large, old red antique Coke-Cola sign for the outside of the Calliope Store, rename the street south of the stage Coach Depot to Calliope Village Street, refurbish the old Soo Motel sign that is currently in storage and to make a plan for a building a house for the Stewart Flynn World War II donation received several years ago. These ideas are personal thoughts of Hill and not those of the Historical Society.
“A guys got to dream,” Hill said. “But it takes everyone to build a village. We all own Calliope Village if you currently or ever have lived in Hawarden. It’s continued success depends on much needed volunteers, and successful donation drives. You can make a huge difference.”
Donations are still welcomed and needed Hill said. They can be sent to Hawarden Historical Society at P.O. Box 68, Hawarden, IA, 51023.