Historical Photos

We would like to share with you some photos of how wood blocks have been used throughout history.

Main Street

Looking east on Main Street from the Kellogg corner as two men alight from the Ft. Dodge, Des Moines, and Southern Interurban car which is headed east (note the direction of the trolley). On the right hand curb can be seen a sports car with bucket seats. The automobile is parked in front of a real estate building (one-story frame covered with tin siding, simulating brick). The Fair Store follows to the east. Carr Harware is on the north side of Main. The tallest building on the north side is the Odd Fellows building (constructed in 1901, destroyed by fire, December 1917). The buildings to the east of it were built in the 1880's and 1890's. The Ames power plant is seen off in the distance. The street has wood block paving.
Hex blocks at Ford factory

Hexagon blocks at Ford factory
Model T Cars

Model T cars on street paved with wood blocks
Paving

Paving with wood blocks
Street closeup

Closeup detail of street paved with wood blocks