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On July 3, 1909 (because July 4 fell on a Sunday) Iowa State College celebrated the 50th anniversary of the selection, in 1859, of its Story County location. This tent on the central campus (note Agricultural Hall to the right) that day, together with smaller tents, sheltered crowds reported to have reached 20,000. Picnics and major addresses were on the program; Kate Shelley, the railroad heroine from Boone County, was an honored guest. A parade was held that followed a route from Ames's Onondaga (later, Main)Street out to the campus. Nevada and Boone closed their houses of business and special trains brought their people to Ames for the day-long celebration. (Photo courtesy of Iowa State University Archives, Parks Library)