A community meeting was held on September 28, 1970, when two-dozen residents met to discuss the formation of a public library in Chelsea. A library committee was created shortly after the meeting, and fundraising began to establish a new library. After two years in a temporary location, the committee purchased the Chelsea Savings Bank building for use as a library when the bank decided to construct a new facility. An open house was held in the new library/city hall on June 10, 1973.
The Wadena Savings Bank was organized in 1906 with a capitol investment of $10,000. After two locations within other buildings, a permanent structure for the bank was completed in December 1920. Like numerous other banks across the state and country, the Wadena Savings Bank folded during the Great Depression, closing in 1931. After five years without a financial institution, the Elgin State Bank opened a branch in the Wadena Savings Bank building. Open four hours daily, the bank branch office continues to serve the Fayette County community of Wadena today.
Construction began on the new Montgomery County Courthouse in Red Oak in 1890, and the new structure was officially dedicated July 4 the following year. Ten thousand or more visitors came to see the new brick and sandstone structure, which had a 91-foot by 72-foot footprint and stood over 60 feet high. At over 100 feet tall, the clock tower may be the most distinguishing feature of the Romanesque courthouse, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
Postmaster Vernon Copenhaven moved his staff into the new Glidden Post Office building on September 1961. The single-story brick building is in use today, a tenure much longer than any of the previous locations. The community’s first post office was established in March 1867 and located inside a wood-frame general store. The location changed frequently during its first 100 years, housed in a variety of downtown storefronts, a portion of a hardware store, a former bank building and an old furniture store. Glidden is a town of 1,253 residents located along Highway 30 east of Carroll in Carroll County.
Interest in a Methodist Church in the Page County town of Braddyville began as early as 1840, coinciding with the community’s first settlers. In the 1860s, a circuit was formed, with a minister traveling by horse to hold church services in Braddyville and surrounding hamlets. As the town grew, so did the congregation of the Methodist Church, and in 1900, the church building was significantly expanded in 1900. Major improvements continued with technology advances, such as the installation of electric wiring and the installation of a new coal furnace.
In 1947, the growing youth group worked with Pastor Clarence Wollard to raise funds to add a basement to the church. Money came in quickly, and soon dirt was moved beneath the church to make way for the basement, which has been remodeled and enlarged twice since. A major remodeling project began in the sanctuary in 1961 with the installation of a new alter, refinished pews, and new carpet. A dedication service was held in June 1963.
While a March 29, 1979, tornado caused significant damage, the sanctuary remained intact and became a gathering center for clothing, food, and household goods. The basement was used to feed volunteers who helped with town cleanup and served as the headquarters for the Salvation Army’s presence in Braddyville. Improvements to the church continued, with new stained glass windows in 1984, new siding in 1992, a new roof in 1998, and new front doors in 2001.
Two pastors serve the Braddyville church along with others in Blanchard, Coin, Locust Grove, Northboro, Norwich, and Shambaugh. The church has about 40 members with Sunday attendance averaging 20.