Down Mason City's Memory Lane

About the Book

Mason City, Illinois, a tiny rural community in the heart of the Midwest, is the setting for Dale Fancher's book of reflections and memories of a day gone by. A lifelong resident of Mason City, Fancher has a keen mind, and a heart for the quaint, easily lost memories of youth: From bathing in a galvanized washtub, to trailing behind the ice-delivery truck to beg shards of ice on a hot day; from fishing at Salt Creek at night and listening to the bobcats, to World War II blackouts.

Reading Fancher's book, one becomes familiar with local characters like Kenny Hanover, still barbering after fifty years, and Edna Sylvie, the barefoot taxi lady. Told as a series of "Remember when ?" and "Did you ever ?" snippets, reading this book is like flipping through an old family photo album.

About the Author

Dale C. Fancher was born to Ben and Mattie Fancher on a farm just south of Mason City. His first job, at age thirteen, was in a hardware store. Later, he worked at the Arlee Theater in Mason City as an usher, projectionist, and assistant manager.

Dale and his wife, Ollie, owned and operated the White Front Café on Main Street in Mason City for twenty-five years.