“Manson Iowa: The First 150 Years” was written by Robert D. Cunningham, of West Des Moines, and is being published as part of the community’s sesquicentennial celebration.

Cunningham is a native of Manson and a 1974 graduate of Manson High School.

”I’ve been collecting information and photos for 40 years,” he said.

He said the 180-page book contains 250 photos, which he said are ”primarily images I collected over the years.”

The naming of the town is just one of the many stories included in the book. Among other things, Cunningham chronicles some long-gone Manson businesses, such as one that made religious plaques during World War II and another that made portable wardrobes to store clothes in.

Cunningham said he began posting some of his historical information about Manson on Facebook in about 2017. The posts attracted a following, and some of the readers of those posts encouraged him to write a book.

The author is a commercial illustrator who did the cover artwork for the book. The cover picture is an image of a downtown Manson street scene, and Cunningham included his father and mother in it.

Cunningham is not being paid for the book, and all proceeds from its sale will go to the sesquicentennial committee for a restoration project.

This is not Cunningham’s first book. He has written seven others, mostly about automotive history. He said he specializes in obscure auto makers, such as Crosley and American Bantam.

His books include ”Too Little Too Soon: America’s Early Economy Cars” and ”Orphan Babies — America’s Forgotten Economy Cars.”

Get the book

For ordering information, check the Manson Iowa 150th Celebration Facebook page.