Veterinarians

The earliest known veterinary surgeon operating in Center Point was C.J. Gardner. He was practicing in 1906. He was also the proprietor of the Commercial House and Livery Stable.

Hoff’s Livery barn around 1911, still standing in 2004 at 520 Washington Street.

A. D. Hoff Livery service 1896, located next to Pullman Hotel. Passenger is Charles Gitchell.

Vincent George Bromwell followed, starting a veterinary practice in Center Point after graduating from Iowa State University in 1917. His business was located on Washington Street, behind Nelson’s Cabinets. Vincent married Caroline Wiley and they had one son, David R., born in 1923, and one daughter, Kathleen A. Kathleen served as a nurse in the Army during WWII and never married.

Bromwell Veterinary until 1967 on Washington Street. Originally was A. D. Hoff Livery Stables in 1890s. Today in 2004 is home to Center Point Farm and Auto. Picture taken in 1983.

Dr. A. R. Miller was active in the area from 1927-1928. His business was also located in the barn behind the Commercial Hotel.

Dr. V. Bromwell’s son, David, became the next veterinarian operating in Center Point. After serving in the army in Italy in WWII, David attended the Iowa State Veterinary School, graduating in 1949. After practicing in Cedar Rapids for a year,

Dr. D. Bromwell joined his father in Center Point and their business was known as Bromwell and Bromwell. David married Norma Jean Oliphant, a Center Point native. Dr. D. Bromwell was specialized in equine and was also generalized in practice. The Center Point area had a large population of horses. David remembers bouts with sleeping sickness and equine encephalitis.

When Vincent’s health failed in the 1950s, Oliver Whitcomb joined the practice and it was known as Bromwell & Whitcomb until Dr. Whitcomb left in 1962. In 1967, David and Norma Jean moved to Illinois, where they reside today.