Click on the blue dates on the timeline below to discover what was going on in Ames while the Hunziker family business was growing.

In 1947 the Atomic Energy Commission established the Ames Laboratory on the foundation Frank Spedding had assembled from 1942-1943, in order to produce high-purity uranium for the Manhattan Project. The purpose of the Laboratory was to build up and maintain a strong group of scientists working in the fundamental sciences.

During the same year, the first Hunziker home was built on Lincoln Way by the intersection of State Avenue.

In 1948 the Iowa State College (University) celebrated the 90th anniversary of its founding on March 22, 1958 when the character act, establishing a state agricultural college became law. The celebration included a symposium, a luncheon, departmental open houses and a dinner.

That same year, Erb Hunziker and Don Furman started Hunziker & Furman Realty and H&F Builders. Additionally, H&F developed their first subdivision on West Street by Colorado Avenue.

Credit: Iowa State Alumni Association

In 1949, 20th Century Bowling opened in Ames. College kids were hired to hand-set the pins for $10 a night!

Meanwhile, Hunziker & Furman marketed Ames’ first furnished show home.

Credit: Ames Historical Society

In 1956 Secretary of Agriculture, Ezra T. Benson, picked Iowa State College, at the time, as the site for the government’s new $18 million animal disease laboratory. Benson recommended Iowa State College for its outstanding scientific center and its’ excellent ongoing research.

That same year, H&F Builders builds Ames’ first apartment complex at 509-515 Hyland.

In 1957 construction got underway on the playhouse Ames Home Builders, which included H&F Builders, gave away during National Home Week. The Ames Daily Tribune's special Ames Home Builders section, published September 20, 1957, celebrated National Home Week by highlighting advertisements of members and associate members.

Also in 1957, Hunziker & Furman and H&F Builders opens office at 537 Main Street.

Credit: Ames Historical Society

In 1966 Ames voters approved a $140,000 bond issue for a new satellite fire station at Welch and Chamberlain. Iowa State University paid half of the cost. At the December 4, 1966 dedication, the stadium fire station was closed.

That same year, Hunziker & Furman and H&F Builders opened a new office at 803 24th Street.

Credit: Ames Historical Society

In 1967 Scotti's Hamburgers opened at 3417 Lincoln Way.

Also in 1967, H&F Builders built the University Gardens apartment complex, featuring 2 bedroom apartments, at 263 North Hyland Avenue.

Credit: Ames Historical Society

In 1970, on May 22, a bomb exploded outside a barred jail window at police headquarters just below the department’s communications center, which injured nine people. The blast, heard throughout central Ames, extensively damaged the south side of City Hall, blowing out the barred window and the jail door. No arrests were ever made. A number of months later, a suspect in the case accidentally blew himself up in a failed bombing attempt in the state of Minnesota.

On a positive note, H&F Builders built an apartment building at 505 8th Street, which were all 1 bedroom apartments.

Credit: Ames Historical Society

The drought of 1976 and 1977 affected many Midwest communities, Ames being no exception. In July 1977 water shortage became critical and Hallett Construction Company agreed to let the City pump water from the lake into the Skunk River channel to recharge the aquifer. As reported, “The ponded water successfully recharged the aquifer supplying water to Ames’ wells until early August, when rains brought a return to stream flow and an end to the drought.”

In that same year, H&F Builders built the College Creek apartment complex at 4815-4901-4915 Todd Avenue (Eff, 1 & 2 bedroom apartments).

Credit: Ames Historical Society, Photographer: Janet Jepeway

In 1981 Victorbilt Toys was created by Victor Giebelstein and his wife, Barbara. The company was in business in Ames until 1997. During that period thousands of wooden toys were made and sold locally, nationally, and internationally.

Also H&F Builders built Arbor Hills apartment complex at 208-210-212-214 South Hyland and 211-213 South Sheldon (2 & 3 bedroom apartments and townhomes).

Credit: Ames Historical Society

In 1984 the playing field at the then named Cyclones Stadium was named in dedication after Jack Trice. Jack Trice was Iowa State’s first African-American athlete and the first and only Iowa State athlete to die from injuries sustained during an athletic competition.

H&F Builders built Country Club apartment complex at 2300-2310 Mortensen Parkway ( 1 & 2 Bedroom apartments).

Credit: Iowa State University

In 1991 Neta Snook Southern, pioneer aviatrix, passed away on March 23 at the age of 95. She is believed to be the first licensed woman pilot in Iowa. After becoming a licensed flight instructor, she taught Amelia Earhart how to fly. One year after her death she was inducted into the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame.

Also in 1991, H&F Builders built the Polo Run Townhomes at 1103-1107-1019-1025 Delaware Avenue.

Credit: Ames Historical Society

1993 was the year of the great flood. Hilton Coliseum and C.Y. Stephens Auditorium were both flooded and surrounded by water from the Squaw Creek river. Hilton Coliseum was filled with over 14 feet of water.

That same year, the Hunziker Youth Sports Complex was built. It is home to the Ames Girls Softball Association, Ames Little League Baseball, and Ames Soccer Club. The sports complex is also used for the Iowa Games and for tournaments which bring in thousands of participants and visitors every year.

Credit: Ames Public Library

In 1995 Fred Hoiberg “The Mayor” was selected 52nd overall by the Indiana Pacers in the NBA draft. Born and raised in Ames, Hoiberg quickly became a basketball superstar and was known as an all-around player, capable of making clutch shots in important situations. Hoiberg received the nickname “The Mayor” when he received a write-in vote for the Ames, Iowa mayoral race.

Also this year, the establishment of Hunziker & Associates and Hunziker Property Management moved to their new office at 105 South 16th Street.

Credit: Ames Historical Society

In 1997, Hickory Park Restaurant, an Ames tradition specializing in midwest BBQ, grew too big for their location for the second time and moved to its present location at 1404 South Duff Avenue. The ambiance is still the same with church pews, tin advertising signs, antique glass, metal ceilings, dining room after dining room and the ever so popular ice cream fountain. People still wait in lines for the great food and renowned service that keep Hickory Park customers coming back.

Hunziker was also growing that year and started the Somerset Subdivision.

Credit: Hickory Park Restuarant

In 2001, Cael Sanderson finished his Iowa State wrestling career as indisputably the greatest collegiate competitor of all time. In his four years at Iowa State, he racked up a record of 159-0, 3 Dan Hodge Trophies (nation’s best college wrestler), 4-time NCAA Outstanding Wrestler, 4-time Big 12 Conference Champion, and 4 NCAA titles. He later won a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Simultaneously the Hunziker House at Reiman Gardens was built. The house was built primarily for educational purposes and is surrounded by twelve individual beautiful gardens.

Credit: Iowa State University

In 2004 Ada Hayden Heritage Park opened to the public with miles of walking and biking trails meandering around artificial lakes, which allow for fishing and watersports (not swimming). The park was named after Ada Hayden who was the first woman to earn a Doctor of Philosophy degree at Iowa State University.

Also that year, Hunziker started Fountainview Subdivision.

Ames, IA was host of the first ever Special Olympics U.S. National Summer Games in 2006. Over 3000 athletes from all 50 states participated in the event along with over 8000 volunteers.

Also in 2006, DMACC Career Academy Hunziker Center opened on the outskirts of town near Highway 60 and Interstate 35. It is a multi-use educational facility which offers technical programs to high school students, state-of-the-art facilities for auto collisions, automotive technology, and building trades.

Credit: Iowa State University