There were three barbers, one dressmaker, two milliners, two druggists, two jewelers, one laundry and one photographer to meet the vanity and personal needs of the people. Walnut had two livery barns, two lumber yards, carpenters, mason, two hardware stores, one well driller, three blacksmiths, two painters, one electrician and steam engineer, four implement dealers, two elevators, one electric plant and one poultry house to take care of the needs of the homeowners and farmers and also to give employment. The George Legge Poultry House is said to have employed 30 chicken pluckers and the chickens were sent by rail to consumers in the East. Turkeys were dressed and sent to England for the holiday season.
 

    A very good town band and bowling alley added to the pleasures of the people. Legal problems were handled by three attorneys. Also the village had two newspapers, six real estate men and two banks. The spiritual needs were filled by three churches, Methodist, Baptist and Christian.

     Contrary to the plight of small towns today, the health of Walnut citizens was amply cared for in 1903 by five doctors, Hopkins, Shearburn, Snader, Mason and Marquis; two hospitals, one osteopath, Dr. Craig, and one dentist, Dr. Buress. Two combination furniture and embalming businesses provided the final care needs.

      This concludes a summary of the oldest businesses of the Village of Walnut. In 1968, according to the book, "Big Bureau and Bright Praries," Walnut had 102 businesses which included the four industries, G. B. H. Way Homes, Walnut Cheese Co., Avanti Pizza Factory and Peerless Tool and Die Co.

Mrs. Everett Ganschow

Mrs. Richard DeWaele