Newspaper Building

103 North 9th Street

Built in 1873 in conjunction with the Risser building, it is the second three-story building in Adel.   The Dallas County News was established in November 1872 by Capt. Amos Dilley.  A. C. Hotchkiss managed and edited the paper for about twenty-five years.  From 1948 to 1963 the “Rexall Drug Store” occupied the first level until it moved to Adel Health Mart space at 113 North 9th Street. The first level is currently occupied by D&A Nails Salon.

The second and third levels were occupied by the local chapters of the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF).  The Adel Friendship Lodge was organized in September 1856, and the Adel Rebekah Lodge was organized in December 1892.  Many prominent names of community leaders were members.

  • First Occupant - Dallas County News Office

  • Newspaper 100 year Anniversary

  • Historical Occupant - Upper Level Rebekah Lodge

  • National Register Plaque

  • Current Occupant - D&A Nails Salon

  • Inside of D&A Nail Salon

Architectural Survey Research

Narrative Description

Originally constructed circa 1873, this is a 3-story, commercial, masonry building. Its storefront features an inset entrance flanked by storefront windows and an entrance to the upper floors on the south end of the facade. The second and third stories each features four window cavities. Fenestration is 3/1 double-hung sash. These sash are circa 1928 replacements of the originals. Arched hoodmolds cap these windows. A pressed metal cornice with a pediment surmounts the building. The condition of this building and its integrity remain high in spite of its age.

Narrative Statement of Significance

This building is National Register eligible under Criterion A as a contributing resource to the historic district. As the second 3-story commercial building in Adel and in conjunction with the Risser & Son Building at 101 North 9" Street, it anchored that intersection with Main Street as a principal hub of commercial activity in the community and thus set a precedent for the preference among Adel entrepreneurs to select comer locations for the construction of substantial commercial buildings.

This building is National Register eligible under Criterion C as a contributing resource to the historic district. It calls attention to the influence of Late Victorian styling on its design. The tall windows; hood molds over the second and third floor windows; and the pressed metal cornice and pediment, which surmounts the building are characteristic of this influence as practiced in Adel.

Historic Uses*

  • 1863-1873 Newspaper building

  • 1881 Furniture Store Coffins (newspaper) Drug store

  • 1907 Cozads and Freeman Drugs& Jewelry

  • 1963 Koch Drugs (moved to 119 N. 9)

  • 2003/04 Aubrey Dunbar

Upper floors

  • IOOF lodge. Sold to Masonic Lodge

*Survey research completed in 2004 so only includes building uses prior to that time