By 1877, the town was home to a hotel, several churches, more than a dozen stores, a grain elevator, doctors, and a one room schoolhouse. These businesses made up a downtown area of three blocks. The Allen School was built in 1887 to alleviate overcrowding brought on by the increasing population and consolidation of public schools. A fire on May 19, 1916, destroyed much of the northern portion of the downtown area.
by 1877 the town was home to a hotel several churches more than a dozen stores a grain elevator doctors and a one room schoolhouse these businesses made up a downtown area of three blocks the allen school was built in 1887 to alleviate overcrowding brought on by the increasing population and consolidation of public schools a fire on may 19 1916 destroyed much of the northern portion of the downtown area