In our century
In fall 1918, World War I, then called the Great War, dominated the nation’s attention. Communities were banding together to support the war effort and planning for its resolution. As part of communities’ post-war plans, Harold Buttenheim, editor of The American City called for the construction of “Liberty Buildings” as soldiers’ memorials in an editorial in the September 1918 edition. “To those who shall live and to those who shall die, the American people will owe a debt they can never repay. But as a visible recognition of that debt, they will wish to erect in every community some fitting memorial. No mere shaft of marble or granite can ever symbolize the Democracy for which this world war is being fought,” he wrote. “Let our memorials of this conflict be structures which shall help the living while commemorating the dead… Let us determine the needs of our own community and plan accordingly, including such facilities for recreation, culture, fellowship and public service as a practical idealism may suggest.”
The idea found immediate support, as expressed in letters published in the October 1918 edition from public officials and organizations, including Lawson Purdy, president of the National Municipal League, and J. Horace McFarland, president of the American Civic Association. The January 1919 edition included 31 cities’ letters of support and reports of early planning efforts.
As fundraising progressed and building plans were drawn, the magazine published reports of the memorials that took shape across the country. The April 1929 edition featured a report about Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s Memorial Building and City Hall, planning for which began in 1919 and finally opened in September 1928. The $1 million building was constructed on an island in the Red Cedar River, and artist Grant Wood, a Cedar Rapids resident known for painting “American Gothic,” designed the 20-foot-by 24-foot stained glass window for the building’s central arch. The window’s central figure, “Republic,” appears in the clouds above life-sized images of soldiers, holding an olive branch and a laurel wreath. Carved into the stone above the arch are the lines: “May the wreaths they have worn never wither/Nor the stars of their glory grow dim.”
Previous “In our century” Stories
- In our century — January 1941
Cities develop public relations efforts to inform residents about municipal activities and improve customer service - In our century — December 1930
Cities do what they can to put residents to work in the early days of the Great Depression - In our century — October 1915
Winter weather regularly demands that cities improve practices for clearing snow and ice from streets - In our century — January 1911
As aviation takes off, cities make use of the quick mode of transportation and secure their spots on the aerial highways - In our century — May 1928
Police departments adopt radio technology to dispatch patrol officers more quickly and catch, deter criminals - In our century — December 1913
Cities adopt the city manager form of government to improve administration and bring efficiency to operations - In our century — October 1913
Cities take action in the earliest days of motion pictures to regulate content and ensure theater safety - In our century — July 1935
Cities install parking meters in business districts to improve traffic flow, reduce car damage and generate revenue - In our century — April 1910
Cities organize July Fourth events, regulate fireworks to reduce Independence Day injuries and deaths - In our century — May 1915
Cities seize revenue-generating opportunities to provide ice and refrigeration to residents and businesses - In our century — May 1914
Officials invest in maps to guide public projects, improve city administration and communicate plans to the public - In our century — September 1915
Technology develops to ensure the safe movement of trains, cars and emergency vehicles through city streets - In our century — July 1914
Among the early efforts to improve public health, cities invent and seek weapons of mass fly destruction - In our century — August 1913
When bond issues fail, cities seek alternative funding for infrastructure improvements and other public projects - In our century — August 1914
Cities improve cleanliness and public health by strategically placing public restrooms and encouraging their use - In our century — December 1914
Cities begin the tradition of decorating enormous public Christmas trees to celebrate the holidays - In our century — June 1910
Government accounting methods and reports mature from vague and incomplete records to standard formats. - In our century — October 1909
Investigations into corruption and mismanagement lead to (some) reforms in government policies and operations. - In our century — January 1913
Cities experiment with road surfaces and set out methods for funding road construction and maintenance. - In our century — September 1909
Limits on outdoor advertising are set through cities’ hard-fought battles over billboard sizes, messages and locations. - In our century — August 1911
Fire departments gain authority, modern equipment to prevent and improve response times to structure fires. - In our century — June 1910
Street lights become symbols of communities’ economic success, and lighting technology efficiency evolves. - In our century — September 1909
With urban growth comes city leaders’ desire to control and direct it for the community’s greatest benefit. - In our century — September 1909
Cities embrace playgrounds as valuable public assets for children’s safety, health and social development. - In our century — September 1909
Women embrace public causes, work to improve their communities and expand their societal roles. - In our century — March 1910
Cities develop methods, mechanisms and regulations for residential solid waste collection and disposal. - In our century — November 1909
Occupancy laws and social workers emerge in the early 1900s to clean up inner-city neighborhoods. - The way we were
Publisher’s son remembers American City & County‘s roots.
