Iola High School wrestlers Berjonley Seance, from left, Alston Nelson and Kale Pratt grill hot dogs for the Gates Corporation’s 50th anniversary celebration in Iola Saturday. Photo by Bob Johnson / Iola RegisterIOLA INDUSTRIES was a key factor in luring Gates Rubber Company to locate here. IN 1976, the Gates plant contained 230,000 square feet; with another 80,000 square feet added two years later. Gates Corporation celebrated the company’s 50 years of operations in Iola with a Saturday picnic. In 1919, the International Rubber Company changed its name to Gates Rubber Company, and continued its expansion across the U.S. More factories led to hiring of thousands of people.