Beaconsfield Supply Store facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Beaconsfield Supply Store
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Location | Beaconsfield, Iowa |
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Built | 1916 |
NRHP reference No. | 07000451 |
Added to NRHP | May 24, 2007 |
The Beaconsfield Supply Store is an old brick building in a small town called Beaconsfield, Iowa. This building is special because it's where the famous Hy-Vee grocery store chain first began! It was built way back in 1916 and has a lot of history.
Today, this historic building is used as a community center for the people of Beaconsfield. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007, which means it's recognized as an important historical site.
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What is the Beaconsfield Supply Store?
The Beaconsfield Supply Store is a simple, one-story building made of brick. It's located in a quiet, rural area of Ringgold County, Iowa. The building was finished in 1916. For many years, it served different purposes for the local community.
A Small Town with a Big History
Beaconsfield is one of the tiniest cities in Iowa. Even though it's small, it played a big role in the history of a well-known company. The old supply store building is a reminder of this important past.
The Birthplace of Hy-Vee
The most exciting part of the Beaconsfield Supply Store's story is its connection to Hy-Vee. In 1930, two men named Charles Hyde and David Vredenburg decided to open a business together. They chose this very building to start their new store.
How a General Store Grew into Hy-Vee
When Charles Hyde and David Vredenburg opened their store, it was a "general store." This means it sold all sorts of things that people in the town needed. You could buy groceries, tools, clothes, and many other items all in one place.
Over time, their small general store grew and grew. It eventually became the huge chain of supermarkets we know today as Hy-Vee. It's amazing to think that such a big company started in this humble brick building in a tiny Iowa town!
A Historic Building Today
After the general store moved on, the Beaconsfield Supply Store building was used for other things. For a while, it even housed a telephone exchange. This was where phone calls were connected before modern technology.
In 2007, the building was officially recognized for its history. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This helps protect the building and reminds everyone of its important past. Now, it serves as a gathering place for the community of Beaconsfield.