This is the fourth in a series of articles about Marshall street names. Previous articles have explored how 16 streets would undergo name changes – some more than once. Other articles reported on the streets named after prominent Marshalltown citizens – from the town’s founder like Henry Anson to those active in community development in more recent years such as the late attorney Rex Ryden. Today’s article reports on relatively new streets and names which have come to be in recent years. Readers who have knowledge of how streets were named, name changes, of others no longer in use, or new streets or avenues are asked to contact Times-Republican reporter Mike Donahey at medonahey@gmail.com.

As developers and builders have viewed Marshalltown favorably as an opportunity to do business, so too arises the need for new streets and, accordingly, street names.

Creekside Estates

Creekside Lane is one of Marshalltown’s newest streets. It is currently serving contractors building units in the development adjoining Wayward Social on South Sixth Street.

“We proposed Creekside Lane as the street name since Linn Creek is nearby,” said co-developer Tim Verheyen of Robbins in a recent telephone interview with the T-R.

The city of Marshalltown approved and a street sign was installed shortly thereafter. It intersects South Sixth Street near Wayward Social. Brian Ridge is the building contractor, and 1st Rate Real Estate of Marshalltown is the realtor.

Samantha Vance, broker, said her office had received inquiries about the project and she wanted to know more.

“I contacted Brian Ridge,” she said. “We talked and I offered my services as a realtor. We agreed to do business. The properties when completed will be for rent.”

The first phase of construction is estimated to be completed this summer, according to a T-R article in February by Managing Editor Robert Maharry.

The project includes a trail connection from the Freedom Rock at the Frank Glick American Legion Post No. 49 on South Sixth Street as well as the currently under construction Ann C. Keyser Trailhead and Emerson Bridge.

The development is a welcome addition to the Linn Creek District — an area defined extending from the Marshalltown Arts and Civic Center westward to include recreational facilities such as the Marshalltown Parks and Recreation’s Softball Fields, the Marshalltown Little League Baseball Fields and the American Legion Golf Course.

Cross Country Estates

Former Marshalltown High School cross-country coach Larry Kester and his late wife Donna Lou began work on the development which became known as Cross Country Estates in the 1990s.

It is located in the city’s southeast quadrant adjoining Timber Creek Park. It is not far from the mammoth Emerson Process Management’s Governor Road manufacturing facility.

The flourishing development continued to be a family initiative with son Dan Kester building many of the homes, he said.

The timing of the development’s property availability was prescient, as a number of couples and families were seeking new homes. When it came time to select street names Larry and Donna Lou fittingly named one Kester Road.

Others were named Benjamin Drive, Joan Terrace and Leland Court in honor of their grandchildren, Larry said. Dan was employed at MARSHALLTOWN Co. for a number of years and also served served on the Marshalltown city council representing the First Ward.