Pleasant Hill: Energy Plus
Table of Contents
Richard Delk Introduction
Steve Nordor Introduction
Chapter 1: From Wood to Coal, The Early Years
The Four Mile Link to Des Moines; First Settlers Scramble For Land; Court Fight Over Land; The Coming of the Trains; Christy Coal Mine Gives Birth to Youngstown; Darkness, Death -- Life of Miners; Quick End to Mine’s Life
Chapter 2: Good Memories of Hard Times
Shadyview Lane -- No Trees; Cheese and Hospitality at Daniels General Store; Store Burns; Lovett’s Tavern, Eggs, Knitting and Kids; Youngstown Yikes Play Ball
Chapter 3: The Best of Times, The Worst of Times: Pleasant Hill’s Struggle For Education
Residents Form A School; Growing With Energy; Hard Times For Education; Selling The One-Room School; High Taxes; Fire Destroys Two-Story School; Again: District Without a School
Chapter 4: Pleasant Hill Versus Southeast Polk
“Share the Wealth;” Iowa Power Objects; Pleasant Hill: “Leave Us Out;” Objections Filed: Rejected By Proponents of District; Lopsided Pleasant Hill Rejection; Court: “Yes and No;” School Vote Set Aside; A Town or Not?; An Eye on Iowa Power; Another Court Battle; Tax Base Taken; Pleasant Hill District Dissolves
Chapter 5: A Town Born Amid Controversy
Ipalco Official: Youngstown Should Incorporate; County Fights For Taxes; Tribune: “Pleasant Hill will never be a town;” Supervisors Give Up; It’s official: Pleasant Hill is a Town; A Community Planned for Growth; Historic Chapel Razed; Park Purchased; A Fire Department is Needed
Chapter 6: More Fights, More Growth: The 1960’s
About Face by Iowa Power; Ipalco and Des Moines Agree -- Pleasant Hill Should Be Annexed; Pleasant Hill to Des Moines -- “Leave Us Out;” Supreme Court Ends Ipalco Bid; New Streets, New Homes; Pleasant Hill Makes Des Moines Cover Up; Fire, Police Protection Expands
Chapter 7: Forging An Independent Identity: The 1970’s
Rumors Spawn New Goal; Pleasant Hill Regains A School; Clerk Resigns in Protest, Elected to Council; The Digester Debacle; Des Moines Cleans Up Pleasant Hill; Iowa Power Asks City’s Approval; Excess Money So Taxes Cut; Peacefulness, Friendliness Attract Newcomers
Chapter 8: The Community, The Future
A Place For Youths; Energy Spectre; A New Energy Source?