Newton’s downtown history preserved in book by local historian

Larry Hurto has a love for history, and he has a considerable love for Newton history. And it certainly shows in his book “Stories From Downtown,” made in partnership with Newton Main Street. In the book, he shares the tales of Newton’s past to give insight and historical context to the city in present day.

Erin Yeager, executive director of Newton Main Street, said the book tells stories of the downtown district, which coincides with the nonprofit organization’s goals of preserving and promoting that important history. Yeager said it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the history of Newton, and the book does just that.

“I know three buildings on the cover are no longer standing, and two of the buildings are still here but their facades have changed,” Yeager said. “…Knowing the generations and generations this book tells is really important. We need to keep that going for the future. These are stories that continually need to be told.”

Which emphasizes the need to chronicle the town’s history. Yeager said those who have peered through the photos in the book feel a wave of nostalgia. I used to go there with my parents! I remember when I was a kid I used to work in that store. It is these kinds of comments Yeager loves to hear.

When Hurto served on Newton Main Street Board of Directors, he regularly wrote articles about the history of the downtown district. He combed through microfilm at the library and found interesting stories about not only the former businesses that lined the town square but the community members who owned them.

Initially, these articles were included in a Main Street tabloid known as The Hub. They have since transitioned to the Jasper County Living magazine printed by the Newton News. The tales chronicled in “Stories From Downtown” also share the same level of detail Hurto has displayed in those pieces.

“We have stories about Larchwood Florist and about early movie theaters,” Hurto said. “So much of what I right about is about places, but there are so many very interesting people involved in these places. We have stories about M.B. Huckins, who opened the first movie theater on the north side of the square.”

Of course, these were silent movies back then. Huckins would go on to open a second silent movie house over on the east side of the square for a few years before being moved to the west side of the square where West Side Java currently operates. This is only a fraction of what Hurto covered in his book.

“Some of these businesses that we spend time with we bring up to the current time and the current history, so there are place names that the readers will certainly recognize,” Hurto said. “I’m a 19th Century kind of guy so there is some focus on the 1800s and that kind of thing.”

Hurto hopes readers have a new appreciation for what Newton is and has been. The town has had a colorful past.

“There are stories of hope, but there are also stories of tragedy,” Hurto said. “I think there will be something for everybody in the pages of ‘Stories From Downtown.’”

Proceeds from the book sales are going directly to Main Street. The book can be purchased online by visiting the Newton Main Street’s Facebook page or website at www.newtoniowamainstreet.com, or it can be purchased in-person at Forbes Office Solutions, which hosts a satellite office for Main Street.

Copies of “Stories From Downtown” will also be available during Main Street’s Spring Vendor Market on April 12 in Legacy Plaza.