Taylor County

First Saturday of the month
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
June-September
Main Street; Pocket Parks

New Market Historical Society & Museum
608 Lafayette Street, New Market
712-370-5108 or 712-370-7858

611 King St., Blockton
641-344-2500

1232 250th St.,
New Market
712-435-0609

904 Central, Bedford
712-542-9272

Lenox is your destination for the Christmas holiday season if you enjoy light and tree displays; and who doesn’t?The City (Highland) Park is the centerpiece of the bright lights displays. The lighting of the park ceremony is the day after Thanksgiving at 6:30 pm and the park stays lit up until after Christmas day. Cruise around all four sides of the park or walk the lighted sidewalks crisscrossing the park. Be sure to cruise all around town to view the many lighted residences, as well. Be prepared to ooo and ahh.

This award-winning rodeo is put on by the long-standing Lenox Stock & Saddle Club. The 79th annual rodeo will be July 25, 26, and 27; beginning at 7:30 pm with a dance following the Saturday evening performance. Fb: Lenox, Iowa Rodeo.

The Lenox Stock & Saddle club is a volunteer non-profit organization which was incorporated November 30, 1947. Signers on the incorporation papers were President, O.P. Arnold Vice President, Roy Key, Treasurer, Erk Blair, Secretary, James E. Hughes. Board members were Kenneth Barker, Floyd Boltinghouse, Joe Brown, Frank Maharry and Cecil Wilson.The club was functioning prior to that presenting local horse shows and in 1945 a one-night horse show followed by a 2-night rodeo.

During this period the Stock and Saddle Club has only used four stock contractors. Art Fletcher, Billie Merritt, James Sears and Rite ‘N Gear who transitioned to the Wright Rodeo Company. Rite ‘N Gear’s fist rodeo in Lenox was in 1999. Rodeos have been sanctioned by Iowa Rodeo Cowboys Association (IRCA), Missouri Rodeo Cowboys Association (MRCA), and the United Rodeo Cowboys Association (URA). The Lenox Stock and Saddle Club is very proud to have been named URA rodeo of the year three of the first four years of the URA in the early 60’s. In 2023 it achieved this honor for the 20th time. The URA is made up of 140 rodeos from 9 states. The contestants have the opportunity to vote to name the rodeo of the year. Many other awards have been won from the IRCA and URA for the rodeo performance and condition of its grounds.

President of the club since 1959 have been Carl Douglas (3 Years), Herm Beemer who died as President Feb 1966. (5 yrs.), Barney Miller (7 yrs.), Lonnie Barker (5 yrs.) Elvin Miller (8 yrs.), Larry Cordell (13 yrs.), Norbert Bradley (4 yrs.), Jim Miller (2 yrs), Dean David (4 yrs), Ryan Wilson (3 yrs.), Craig David (2 yrs.) and Allen Dukes (9 yrs.), Jim Miller (1 yr.) current president is Larry Cordell Jr.

The Stock and Saddle Club is a strong dedicated group. The arenas as the Lenox Stock & Saddle Club Arena did not come easy. The donations of materials, travel to pick-up building materials, and long working hours by members are staggering. The ability to obtain a bank loan for the purchase the land east of the arena was a big step in 2003. The six new Powder River Chutes were purchased and installed in 1974.

The announcers Stand (Crow’s Nest) was built in 1998 by the Bradley family. The East entry into the arena was donated by the Bauer family, with the new gates by Longfellow Drilling. The main entry on Iowa Street was a donation by the Marvin Wilson family. The handicapped seating was a donation by the Elvin Miller family. Dalton Ag. & Lincoln’s Lawn care are continuous supporters in many areas of the arena. Karen Carlson purchased a section of bleachers in memory of Stan Carlson. In recent years many of the bleachers have been replaced with new aluminum seats that can hold more spectators.

The club began managing the open-air cook shack in 1973 and in 1999 a two-car garage was donated and moved to its current location. Addition of air conditioning and many upgrades make it a nice environment to serve delicious food.

From 1962 to 2009 a calf show was sponsored by the Stock and Saddle club with kids showing in the street in front of the sale barn under large maple trees. When the sale barn was demolished, the show was moved to the rodeo grounds and lamb classes were added. The show ended in 2009 after several cancelations for bad weather and declining entries.

The current officers and board members are President Larry Cordell Jr., Vice President Dillon David, Secretary Calie Worisek, Treasurer Leesa VanGelder. Board members are Craig David, Shaun Masilko, Deb Dukes, Mark Wilson and Ryan Wilson.

We are Lane (13) and Tyce (9). We were born into a farm family and decided to start our own small operation, LT Farms. Our farm operation consists of our own herd of cattle, chickens, ducks and show pigs. We started our career as young entrepreneurs by selling chicken eggs. The summer of 2022 we decided to try something different.

Our Mom created her own Spicy Cracker Mix and has been gifting it to family and friends for years. We thought it would be fun to support the local farmer’s market and sell her cracker mix. After selling out within a couple of hours, the LT Farms snack mix business began.

When a customer requested a non-spicy version we experimented with the seasonings and fell in love with a new combination. The final result was Lane’s Cracker Mix! Tyce decided he wanted his own mix too. In the fall of 2022, after some trial and error, we came up with Tyce’s Sweet and Salty Mix! For our dad’s birthday in 2023 we decided to come up with a mix dedicated to him. We finalized Dad’s BBQ Cheddar Cracker Mix in July!

In the fall of 1881, when the railroad was almost complete between Humeston and Shenndoah, a township was marked in the SE quarter of Grant township. John and Miles Green who were from Clearfield City, Pennsylvania, worked for the Townsite and Lots Company, so it was decided to call the townsite “Clearfield” was incorporated on December 16, 1882. At the time of incorporation there were 237 people residing in Clearfield. At one time Clearfield grew to almost 700 residents. Our current population is listed as 279.

The first stores and homes were built in 1882 near the railroad tracks. Later they started building south of the tracks which soon became the preferred site for businesses. The first brick building was built in 1888 by Dr. Singer which is now the bank building. At the time land was selling for $12/acre but 2 years later the price was $27/acre. By 1919, there were 2 bank, 2 hardware stores, 2 clothing stores, 3 general merchandise stores, 1 grocery, 2 drug stores, 2 furniture stores, 22 restaurants, 2 real estate firms, 3 physicians, 2 dentist, 2 livery barns, 1 horse dealer, 3 blacksmiths, 2 barbershops, 1 music shop, 1 harness shop, 1 meat market, Clearfield Elevator, 1 postmaster, 2 mail carriers, 1 railroad agent, 1 poultry and egg business, 1 photograph gallery, 1 attorney, 1 ice dealer, and 4 churches.

In 2023, businesses and organizations in operation include the Clearfield Cafe’, New Cooper, New Cooperative, New Convenience Store, Daybreak Foods, Bootleggers Bar and Grill, State Savings Bank, US Post Office, JNC Construction, Clearfield Vet Clinic, Larsen Manufacturing, Lions Club, Legacy Salon, New You Salon, Beggs Construction, Craig David carpentry, Clearfield Museum which houses a lot of school memorabilia, City Hall, Clearfield Library and 3 churches. In 1910, there was a very active fair organization with the tradition of holding a fair every summer. That tradition continues today with the Lions Club hosting the annual 4th of July Celebration. People far and near attend this 2 day event. The Lions Club also operates the shuttle buses at the Iowa State Fair and Iowa Speedway and supports improvements in the town of Clearfield. In earlier years they provided buses to take children to swim lessons, bought uniforms for little league teams, and promoted activities at the school.

The school district was organized in 1882. The first graduating class was 1895. In 1908 a new building was built as we had outgrown the old. It was pressed brick, had 11 rooms. In 1924 a gym, stage, library room ,and 2 classrooms were added. On Easter Sunday, March 24, 1940, the main building was destroyed by fire. Classes for the 200 students were held in the 3 churches and what was usable in the building for the remainder of the year. A new school was finished in 1941, four additional classrooms were added in 1955. Sharing of classes with neighboring towns begin in 1981. 1987 saw the high school students being tuition out to Lenox, Diagonal and Mt. Ayr schools with junior high following in 1991. The school permanently closed in 2014. The district was split between Lenox, Mt Ayr, Diagonal and Bedford.

We sell our mix at small businesses throughout Southwest Iowa and love supporting small businesses through our small business.We hope you enjoy our snack mixes! Thank you for supporting us.

Over 400 people enjoyed Lenox’s first Fiesta en Lenox celebration last fall. The event was held in conjunction with the popular Pocket Park Markets on Main Street in Lenox the first Saturdays of the months June through September; 9am-1pm.Lenox supports a strong Hispanic population. A group of people worked to honor the culture and to teach others about it. The second annual Fiesta en Lenox will be September 7, 2024; 9am-1pm; although, the time frame may be extended.

Lenox expects over 35 vendors, again; many with Mexican or other Latino merchandise and food. Entertainment will include live Mexican music and dancers in colorful Mexican dresses performing beautiful cultural dances. Last year the band was, Grupo Los Desconocidos, featuring a Lenox High School graduate.There will be entertainment for the kids too. Such as bounce houses, carnival-style games, and a Pinata.This is a great opportunity to experience Hispanic culture; whether you are highlighting YOUR culture or are learning about your neighbor’s culture.The Fiesta en Lenox Committee is able to fund the event with generous donations from the community.Find information on the event on Facebook; Fiesta en Lenox.

The City of New Market is not limited to the confines of the town but includes the surrounding community. When something needs to be done the community steps up. An example would be the new playground that was spearheaded by the Women Who Care. Members of the Community put in countless hours planning, fundraising, and performing manual labor to make the playground a reality. The sounds of children playing on the new structure fills the air.

Respect for New Market’s military veterans is strong, but service isn’t limited to our country but also service to neighbors. Neighbor helping Neighbor is just what we do in New Market. Those in need can count on the support of the community. There are many service organizations in the town including the New Market Foundation, The Civic Club, and the Women Who Care to name a few.

The Veterans who live in New Market, the number of flags flown proudly, and our 4th of July celebration are glimpses of our patriotism. New Market puts on the largest 4th of July celebration in Southwest Iowa with special activities for days, culminating in an amazing fireworks display. This is an event not to be missed.

New Market was founded on coal mining and railroads and the museum displays tell the stories. In our very own New Market Area Museum you can find rooms showing the history of the town, New Market school memorabilia, farm life of the past, along with homes and people of the past. The Museum is open May – November on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday mornings.

The future of New Market is bright and ever evolving. With the help of Community, it will continue to be an amazing place to visit and to call home.

The New Market Women Who Care have completed the City Park Revitalization Project! After several years of planning and fundraising and with the help of many community members we have officially completed the project in 2023! Make the trip over to New Market to check out our new park!

Join the Women Who Care for our annual events:
July 3rd 6pm – Potluck Supper in the Park
July 4th 7am – 10am – Breakfast in the Community Center

Miner Pavilion is a gym location that can be rented for large groups, weddings, reunions, and so on. Full kitchen, stage, bleacher seating along with tables and chairs for 300. Daily and Event options are available.

The New Market Community Center is a space perfect for a family dinner, meetings, parties, or a reunion with seating for 75 and a full kitchen. Full day or half-day rentals available.