The first ‘free’ public library in Eagle Grove opened in 1902, when a growing book location was created in the reception room of the local Masonic temple. Shortly after, the community was offered a $10,000 grant to build a public library building in Eagle Grove provided the city came up with a suitable location and a small tax to cover upkeep costs. The community spent $2,000 on the corner lot, construction began, and the new facility was formally dedicated in September 1903. It was used as a library until a new, single-story location was built in 1976.
The historic Carnegie building is now home to the Eagle Grove Historical Society and Museum. A fundraising campaign is underway to provide much-needed restoration to the century-old building.
The pictured railroad depot in the Howard County town of Elma was constructed in 1901, after a fire destroyed the community’s original station along the Chicago and Great Western Railway. As the twentieth century progressed and railroad prominence declined, Elma saw the last passenger train stop at the depot on April 28, 1962. The depot remained open for freight travel purposes until 1971, when several depots were closed in favor of a centralized location in New Hampton. A decade later, freight trains were discontinued on the line, and track was removed in April 1982.
After sitting vacant for over ten years, resident Kenny Stevenson initiated the restoration of the historic Elma depot. The depot now serves as a museum highlighting rail travel in Elma and other local artifacts. It’s operated by the Elma Museum Board and open weekends Memorial Day through Labor Day.
This booklet was distributed when the Fayette County Courthouse in West Union was dedicated October 8, 1924. The ceremony included music from the Oelwein City Concert Band, Fayette County Consolidated Bands, and the Girls Glee Club from Upper Iowa University. The dedication was followed by a barbeque held in the square and an open house later that afternoon. Evening festivities included a band concert and dancing at the Courthouse and Opera House starting at 9:00 p.m. that evening.
The cornerstone was laid for the $300,000 project on June 21, 1923, just over a year after the previous courthouse was destroyed by fire. Constructed of gray Bedford stone, the dedication packet highlights the marble in the toilet rooms, offices assigned to the County Attorney, the automatic electric elevator, the third story rotunda and courtroom, which featured natural lighting and modern furniture. Over a third of the courthouse was funded by private donations from West Union residents.
About 150 residents from the Adams County town of Prescott and the surrounding area showed up for the dedication of the new Post Office on May 21, 1960. The ceremonies, which were held indoors in a nearby building due to inclement weather, began with two numbers from the Prescott High School Band, followed by a welcome from the Prescott Postmaster. The main speaker of the evening was Allen Kane, a field director for the U.S. Postal Service based out of Sioux City. The ceremony was concluded with a flag-raising conducted by the local American Legion post. An open house followed at the new post office with free coffee and donuts provided by the Prescott Commercial Club.
The post office in Prescott is one of over 250 in the state being reviewed for potential closure; view the full Iowa post office closing list.
Constructed in 1856, the Unionville United Methodist Church is thought to be the oldest active church building in Appanoose County in southeastern Iowa. The site to construct the church caused early controversy, as two pieces of ground were donated, on opposite sides of town. The oak and walnut timbers were discretely moved multiple times between the locations before the east side location was settled upon. The church shares a pastor with the United Methodist Church in nearby Cincinnati.
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