STEVE HANKEN: The Monticello State Bank is on the far left. What appears to be the next door building is actually across the street, that building was the Shultz Bros. Dime Store until it burned in the 1960s. The building that appears to be the largest and closest to the camera is the Lovell State Bank building, the bank was housed primarily on the right side of the building and I believe that the half with the striped canopy was the Ricklefs Dry Goods store for many years. The building on the far right was the Gamble Store in the 1950's through the 1970's run by "Casey" Jones. The Lovell State Bank building cost $24,000 and was originally the old Slade Tavern location. The building front was constructed of rain drop sandstone from a quarry in Northern Michigan. The pillars are dark granite; second story and sides are St. Paul Pressed Brick. Inside, the door casings are quarter-sawn oak furnished by Farley and Loelscher Company of Dubuque. Furniture and counters are also quarter-sawn oak manufactured by a firm from Waterloo. The safe was built by Diebold Safe and Lock Safe Co., Canton, Ohio. The liner of vault is three layers of steel and weighs twenty tons.

RICHARD HARRISON: Note that the front of the card in mislabelled "Lowell" Block. I have a copy of another edition of the card that was postally used. POSTMARKED: Monticello, Iowa, 28 Dec 1923 MAILED TO: Mrs. M. A. Frazer, 201 4th, San Barndino, California MESSAGE: Monticello Dec. 27 -23 Mrs. M. A. Frazier in San Bardino Friend Frazier. Were glad to hear from you have thought so often & talked about you and wondered where you were and what you were doing. We went through your town 8 years ago. We have been living in Monticello the last 4 years. With Love and Best wishes. James & Emma Livingston

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