Sheldon, Iowa — 2022 marks the City of Sheldon’s 150th anniversary, and Celebration Days begins this weekend. In 1972, 50 years ago, a time capsule was buried in Sheldon, and contrary to initial reports, the capsule was not lost. It has, in fact, been opened, and KIWA was present for the ceremony.
The time capsule was in fact always located near the veteran’s memorial on the south central part of the Sheldon City park.
The time capsule was opened Friday morning and during the ceremony, there was a cannon on display that is homed at the Sheldon Prairie Museum. It is a 12 pound bronze howitzer. The US War Department in 1836 ordered 12 of these cannons at a cost of $225 each. The Sheldon City park had two of these cannons on display until one was stolen during the night in 1976. Although it was never found, it is believed to have been melted down and the metal sold, with the total worth of the brass barrel was around $20,000. Until 2006, the cannon had been used in various city wide activities, and was fired at these activities. This use stopped due to the historical society receiving a letter that it was in fact illegal to fire the cannon. There was a special grant of permission to fire the cannon during the celebration.
Sheldon City Mayor Greg Geels spoke to the group in attendance, quizzing them, and giving them some historical perspective on the happenings of 1972, and 1872. Mayor Geels also briefly told the attendees what he saw in a “sneak preview” he got as to what was contained in the time capsule.
Mayor Geels tells the crowd that the capsule will have items added to it, and reburied to be dug up again in 50 more years
Mayor Geels introduced long-time Sheldon resident, Dr. Ronald Zoutendam, who opened his practice in Sheldon in 1959, who was part of the time capsule committee that buried the capsule on July 22, 1972.
The event wrapped up with a brief announcement as to what is all in store for Sheldon this weekend.
