In 1901, the Rock Island Railroad was completed through what is now Gerald and a new town was born.
According to Opal Schulte, author of Gerald Wanderings , the first business to be built was a …
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In 1901, the Rock Island Railroad was completed through what is now Gerald and a new town was born.
According to Opal Schulte, author of Gerald Wanderings, the first business to be built was a general store on the southeast corner of Main and Second Street. At that time, Main Street was called Pine Street.
A hardware store, livery stable, blacksmith shop, restaurants and harness makers were also early businesses in Gerald. The Gerald Roller Mill, which now houses the Bistro at the Mill, is the only building still standing from those early days in Gerald.
The Rock Island Bloomers decided to purchase a banner and poles to commemorate the occasion. It was placed at the intersection of Fitzgerald and Bernhardt avenues.
The town has always shown steady growth which continues.
