Historical Timeline of Westgate Public School (Westgate, Iowa)** 

• A vintage postcard shows children gathered in front of the original Westgate Public School building. 

• The structure appears to be a modest, early 20th-century schoolhouse with classic architectural features. 

• This image is one of the earliest known visual records of the school. 

• A photo captures Nona revisiting the well at the one-room Weatherbe School, attended by the Judd children. 

• Reflects the rural, intimate nature of education in Westgate during the mid-20th century. 

• A black-and-white photo shows the newly constructed Westgate Elementary School. 

• Features include a brick exterior, angled wing, and two-story design. 

• This marked a modernization of school facilities in the town. 

• Another black-and-white photo shows the school with windows open on a warm day. 

• Cherry trees are visible in front of the building, adding to the charm of the campus. 

Resources for Further Exploration 

• State Historical Society of Iowa: Archives of school building records and photographs. 

• Iowa Heritage Digital Collections: A searchable database of historical Iowa images. 

• Classmates.com: Alumni photos and yearbooks. 

• FamilySearch Memories: Personal photos and stories from Westgate families. 

Westgate, Iowa played a small but meaningful role during the railroad era, which was a transformative period for many rural American communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

Strategic Railroad Stop 

Westgate was established in 1886 as a station on the Minnesota and Northwestern Railroad, which later became part of the Chicago Great Western Railway. The railroad aimed to place depots roughly every five miles to support both passenger and freight services. Sylvester Westgate, the town’s namesake, donated land for the railroad and townsite, making Westgate a natural choice for a depot. 

Economic Impact 

The arrival of the railroad: 

• Boosted local agriculture by providing a reliable way to ship grain, livestock, and dairy products to larger markets. 

• Attracted businesses such as grain elevators, a creamery, blacksmith shops, and general stores. 

• Encouraged population growth and the development of civic institutions like schools, churches, and a local newspaper. 

Community Development 

The town’s layout was designed with the railroad in mind, with Main Street and other key roads oriented around the depot. The depot became a hub of daily life, where residents gathered for news, mail, and travel. 

Decline of Rail Service 

As automobiles and highways became dominant in the mid-20th century, rail service declined. The depot was eventually closed and later demolished, but its legacy remains a key part of Westgate’s identity. 

Would you like a visual timeline or a short article version of this for a newsletter or local history project?