West Ames Research Topics

Commerce in West Ames by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:42 PM

Files, photos, and information that have to do with the West Ames commercial nodes, including but not limited to historic growth and/or decline of a selected commercial node, effects of the Lincoln Highway, new goods and services leading to new facilities, and changing forms of entertainment.

Public Infrastructure Improvements in West Ames by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:42 PM

Infrastructure improvements in West Ames, including but not limited to running water, hard-surfaced streets, curbs and gutters, pedestrian walks, sanitary and storm sewers, gasification, electrification, and parks.

Municipal Services and Administration in West Ames by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:42 PM

Information on municipal services and administration as they pertain to West Ames, including but not limited to fire, police, public health, solid waste disposal, the threat of Fourth Ward secession from the city, and the history of zoning.

Notables and Buildings Associated with Them in West Ames by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:42 PM

Information on notable people and the West Ames buildings associated with them, including college (later, university) administration, faculty, and staff; local business owners and entrepreneurs; and others who influenced larger patterns of history in Ames, around Iowa, nationally, and internationally.

Patterns of Residential Development in West Ames by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:42 PM

Information on patterns of residential development in West Ames, including but not limited to the history of one or more plats, automobile suburbs in West Ames, laissez faire land development, the history of a residential contractor-builder or developer in West Ames, the ISC/ISU arboretum and its effects on expansion in West Ames, and the post-World War II housing shortage.

Architectural Design in West Ames by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:42 PM

Information on architectural design in West Ames, including but not limited to infortmation on experimental housing, the influence of the ISC/ISU Department of Architecture, the variety of styles in West Ames architecture, and the automobile garage (detached, attached, etc.).

Miscellaneous Information on West Ames by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:42 PM

Information on miscellaneous topics in West Ames history--interesting tidbits, rumors, stories about multiple properties, etc.--if there's no other folder for the info, it's probably here.

Map Research by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:42 PM

Resources relating to historic map research (including some downloadable images of maps of West Ames) and analyses of historic patterns of commercial, residential, or other land use development through historic map research, including but not limited to information gleaned from Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, municipal department maps, plat maps, automobile touring maps, public transportation maps, and ISC/ISU campus and off-campus maps.

Off-campus Housing in West Ames and Beyond by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:42 PM

Information related to off-campus housing in West Ames and beyond, including but not limited to migration to West Ames from downtown; emergence of off-campus housing clusters; student rentals by ISU faculty, staff, and others; apartments; stories of students commuting to ISU; married student housing; changing social behavior and its effects on off-campus housing.

Public Education in West Ames by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:42 PM

Information on public education in West Ames, including but not limited to schools, educators and administrators, and education planning.

Landscape Architecture in West Ames by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:42 PM

Information on landscape architecture in West Ames, including but not limited to garden clubs, neighborhood garden tours, residential designs by ISU faculty and students, and experimental projects.

City and Campus Directory Research by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:44 PM

Research in Ames city directories and Iowa State campus directories, including but not limited to Identifying historic patterns of commercial or residential development through listings and advertisements.

Local Newspaper Research by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:42 PM

Research in local newspapers, including but not limited to tracking a specific topic through the weeks, months and years, and serendipitous exploration of old newspapers for research subject matter.

Greek Organizations by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:55 PM

Information related to Greek organizations, including but not limited to the history of any one or more organizations, growth during early 20th century, migration from downtown to West Ames, the quest for architectural distinction, and fraternal life: changing notions and practices.

The Rise of Campus Ministry by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:55 PM

Information related to the rise of campus ministry, including but not limited to Protestant, Roman Catholic, and other.

Transportation by Gloria Betcher — last modified May 11 09:55 PM

Information related to transportation, including but not limited to the Lincoln Highway, its development and effects; public transportation; and the Interurban in West Ames.