Postal service in the Humboldt County community of Ottosen dates to November 1895, when a post office was first opened within a local siding business near the railroad tracks. The Ottosen office became the first in Humboldt County to have rural routes attached to it, with the first created in 1902. A second was created in 1903, then consolidated in 1932 as delivery methods grew more efficient. Further consolidation has taken place since, with the route now split among several area post offices.
The Ottosen Post Office moved to its present location in February 1957. As of April 2011, the Fort Dodge Messenger is reporting the office may close.
Published April 29, 2011 |
Post Offices |
Humboldt County
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A post office location was established in the Taylor County community of Sharpsburg, Iowa, in 1886, two years after the town was founded as a stop on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. Though the railroad tracks have long been removed, the town’s 89 residents still have their own Post Office, for now. Located in a modest brick building and open four hours each weekday, the office is one of over 70 in Iowa being reviewed for closure.
Sharpsburg is also home to a community center, two churches, and a combo general store/restaurant.
Published April 28, 2011 |
Post Offices |
Taylor County
| Map
When a library was first established in the Madison County community of Truro, books were added to a rental shelf and loaned to residents at a cost of 10 cents each. As money was raised through the rental fee, new books were purchased and added to the library collection. The library moved to the current building in 1966, which was expanded in 1978. The first computer was installed in the Truro Public Library in 1998, and interior renovations were completed in 2005.
Moving forward, the Truro Public Library has created a set of short- and long-term goals for operation, including growing the video library, maintain copy machine availability, update collections with new materials, and purchase a new computer every three years.
Published April 27, 2011 |
Public Libraries |
Madison County
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When the Harrison County seat was relocated from Magnolia to Logan in 1876, a combination of $5,000 from taxes and $9,000 in private donations helped construct a two-story brick courthouse in the town square. With a growing county population and a need for additional office space, the brick courthouse was replaced with a three-story steel and concrete block building accented by Bedford limestone that was dedicated November 3, 1911. The courthouse still serves residents of Harrison County today.
Published April 26, 2011 |
Courthouses |
Harrison County
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The Floyd County community of Rudd sits just north of U.S. Highway 18 in the northwest quadrant of the county. Platted as Danville in 1869, the community was quickly renamed Rudd to recognize a man who promised to contribute $1,000 for a church in exchange for town naming rights. His contribution never materialized, but the town name remained. Rudd was officially incorporated in 1900.
Published April 25, 2011 |
City Halls |
Floyd County
| Map
