Origins of the Eldora Line
In 1868, Iowa Governor
Samuel Merrill signed a bill creating a reform school for delinquent
boys, known as the Boys Training School. The General Assembly
appropriated $45,000 for the purchase of land and the construction of
suitable buildings. Cities and counties throughout Iowa submitted offers
and incentives, with Eldora winning the contest and donating 440 acres
of land. Buildings were established, including residence houses,
classrooms, a dining hall, hospital, chapel, workshops, warehouses, and
barns.
The largest of these barns measured 60 feet wide by 120
feet long and was split into two cross sections, with an alley running
the length of the barn. An extension to the north held a vocational
agriculture classroom, feed rooms, offices, and a milk room. The
basement was used for storage.
Over time, a number of the barns
and outbuildings lost their usefulness and had to be taken down. But
rather than simply razing the structures, Iowa Prison Industries and
Iowa Central Community College worked together and “deconstructed” the
barns, reclaiming valuable timber and other materials. As part of the
deconstruction program, incarcerated associates from the North Central Correctional
Facility in Rockwell City attended classroom training and studied to
become certified in areas such as asbestos handling, lead paint
abatement, and OSHA safety. Under the supervision of ICCC and IPI, these
associates carefully disassembled Eldora’s barns and outbuildings,
yielding a treasure trove of old growth Douglas Fir - the fine wood used
by IPI to craft the new “Eldora Line” of furniture.
From Farm To Furniture
The Eldora Line consists of 3 standard pieces:
- Conference Table
- Credenza
- Occasional Table
A Customizable Collection
In addition to pieces tailor-made for this collection, IPI can build custom furniture to your design, using the beautiful wood and rich history found in the Eldora Line.