Fort Dodge mayor John F. Ford, who served from 1911 to 1919, resided in this Fifth Avenue North home for many years with his wife and five children. Ford won election as mayor when the city’s form of government was changed from the ward system to the present commission system. The first City Council under the commission form included Mayor Ford, Commissioner Frank W. Collins and Commissioner C. H. (Cad) Smith. At that time Collins was in charge of the department of accounts, finances, public properties and parks. Smith headed the department of public safety, streets and public improvements. The two-story frame house at 1242 5th Ave. N., which the Ford family occupied was built in 1890 and acquired by the Fords in 1895. The home has changed ownership a number of times since the Fords resided there and presently is owned by Mrs. Fatima Habhab, who with her late husband, Allie, purchased the property in 1953. [Illustration: The Ford home 1242 5th Avenue North] Ford was prominent in Fort Dodge and Webster County affairs for many years. He was born here in 1864 and when six years old moved with his parents to a Jackson Township farm. He lived on the farm for 21 years and then moved back to Fort Dodge. During his years on the farm Ford taught school for 10 years during the winter months. In 1893 Ford was appointed deputy county auditor under Auditor T. A. Cunningham and served in that capacity for six years, then was elected county auditor and served for another six years. Later he was interested in the R. B. Berryhill store at the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Eighth Street which sold books, stationery and had a complete newsstand. Ford was an outstanding bowler and a member of championship bowling teams of Fort Dodge with other well-known men of his time. Mr. and Mrs. Ford were the parents of a son and four daughters. They were Howard, Mary, Charlotte, Helen and Alice. THE ROBERTS HOME Another of the landmark homes along Third Avenue South is the Roberts home, 919 3rd Ave. S., which housed publishers and editors of The Messenger for many years. Built by George E. Roberts in 1888, the house is a three-story frame structure with large porches that extend along the north, east and south sides. Occupying an impressive location at the southwest corner of Third Avenue South and Tenth Street, the house has an expansive yard extending southward from the avenue for a considerable distance. Large trees also surround the home. [Illustration: The Roberts home 919 3rd Avenue South] Beautiful oak and cherry woodwork mark the interior of the rooms on the first floor. A large open entrance hall with beamed oak ceiling is just inside the front entryway. It features oak woodwork and a large fireplace with a carved oak mantel. The open stairway to the second floor is flanked by large columns of Grecian design.