That was the way of things in western Marshall County for a few decades. The same happened in State Center in 1909 and in LaMoille and Melbourne around 1914-15, according to “Continuing History.” Rhodes Consolidated Schools started in 1883, combining students at several area schoolhouses. After that, a first wave of school consolidation began in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The first small schoolhouses appeared in the district in the 1860s in Rhodes and State Center. The modern district came to be in 1962 after an election was held to consolidate several independent area districts into West Marshall, according to “Continuing History.” Today, the black-and-gold of West Marshall Community School District covers State Center, where all of its education buildings are located, as well as Melbourne, Rhodes, St. Krob said looking at historical population data can sometimes be difficult because methods of collecting information were different than they are now. The arrival of the Baby Boomer generation also contributed to the growth of the state’s population. He said international immigration from places like Germany and Ireland was a key to that population growth in the early- and mid-20th century like it is today.

“Iowa’s population in general has always just had a slow and steady population increase,” he said, noting that was prior to the farm crisis in the 1980s. Gary Krob of the State Library of Iowa’s State Data Center said the state’s population experienced steady growth throughout those time periods. In the 1940s and beyond, she said consolidation saw schools in smaller towns lose out in favor of those in larger towns, like State Center, Le Grand and, in her case, Marshalltown. She said the first wave of consolidations in the late 1800s and early 1900s came as a result of country schools banding together. Lang said Van Cleve, just like some communities in the West Marshall, East Marshall and GMG school districts, could not keep up with the educational and facilities needs required by the state for student success. That small town was eventually added to the Marshalltown School District and its local building closed. Lang said she grew up in Van Cleve, east of Melbourne. “There are pros and cons like there is in everything.” Our collection of men’s outerwear sets you up for cool weather success, even on your most casual occasions.“The small town people, like we were … thought consolidation was probably not good for us because we would lose our school,” said 34-year Marshalltown Schools teacher and current Green Mountain-Garwin substitute teacher Julie Lang. As the wizened preps of yore have advised, always dress as if you’re going to meet the love of your life. Outerwear is your ticket to comfort on the slopes and on brisk duck blind days. (See what we did there?) Don’t forget to browse our lightweight hoodies, which are a must-have for spring and fall. And there’s nothing warmer than tiny duck feathers, so we hope you are down with that. In fact, we have a colossal amount of zip-up and pullover jacket styles in store for you, and preppy sweaters that feature materials from comfy cashmere to manly merino to cozy cotton. (Yuck.) Luckily, the perfect men’s fleece vest awaits you right here at Country Club Prep.

You already know you need a new fleece, and this time, you’re going after one that doesn’t pill. If you’re craving an even cozier feeling, go for one of our polyester pullovers, which are incredibly soft and touchable. Our quilted coats are cut especially for a man’s frame and fit like a warm, preppy glove. Make like a waterfowl (even if you’re out hunting them - just don’t be too convincing) and let that rain roll right off your preppy, jacket covered back. For that reason, Country Club Prep offers a collection of toasty outerwear that is fit for a rugged, stylish man such as yourself.Įvery preppy dude needs a luxurious waxed jacket for drizzly days. Because homo sapiens are no longer covered in fur, even the manliest man’s man needs to wear a coat sometimes.

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