In March 1944, resident Lenora Heft suggested the idea of starting a “Book Exchange” in the Floyd County town of Marble Rock. A committee was formed, and a the first incarnation of a Marble Rock Public Library was operated from a private residence. In 1946, the committee received permission from the town council to locate the library in the Marble Rock City Hall. The council provided bookshelves for the new library facility, which was operated entirely by volunteers.
As the collection grew, more space was needed and the library relocated to a new standalone building in 1956. It relocated again to a former grocery store building on Main Street in 1966, and in 2005, the Marble Rock Public Library debuted in its current facility.
Published November 23, 2011 |
Public Libraries |
Floyd County
| Map
On February 22, 1877, a community meeting was held at the home of William Trammel to discuss the construction of a church on the site of Trammel Cemetery, which was established twenty years earlier. Trammel agreed to donate a plot of land to the east of the cemetery and by June 1877, plans were completed for construction of a $1,600 chapel building. The church was dedicated in December 1877 as the Lynn Grove Chapel, but was renamed Union Chapel the following year. Regular worship services were held until 1898; annual Memorial Day services continued through 1971.
Published November 22, 2011 |
Cemeteries, Churches |
Jasper County
| Map
Cherokee was chosen as the town seat of Cherokee County in northwest Iowa in 1861. By 1864, the county’s first courthouse was erected in Cherokee, a square, frame building constructed from local black walnut logs. As the building aged and more space was needed, the initial proposal to construct a new courthouse failed on the ballot in 1881. The vote was favorable 10 years later and the second courthouse, constructed with brick, limestone, granite, and slate, was completed in 1892. This Romanesque-style building was torn down in early 1965 to allow construction of a modern, split-level courthouse for Cherokee County. Construction on the $500,000 facility was complete in October 1966.
Published November 21, 2011 |
Courthouses |
Cherokee County
| Map
A celebration was held May 5, 1966, to dedicate the new Post Office building in the Cass County community of Anita. The ceremony started with a 15 minute performance by the Anita Community High School band, followed by an invocation, address from the mayor, and a dedication address from Iowa Congressman John Hansen. Following the dedication, an open house was held with coffee and cookies served. Postal service was established in Anita in December 1868.
Published November 18, 2011 |
Post Offices |
Cass County
| Map
The first Catholic worship services in the Ringgold County town of Maloy were held in 1864 in the home of Luke Shay, an immigrant from Ireland. As attendance grew, they moved to Shay’s barn and then to the first Catholic Church in the area constructed in 1874. A larger church was constructed within the Maloy city limits in 1903; the church was the center of social activity for the community, holding bi-weekly dances, dinners, and even weekly movies.
On June 17, 1931, a fire swept through Maloy destroying the church along with five businesses, a house, and a barn. The new church was constructed of yellow brick with a steeply-pitched roof in an English Rural Architectural style. After nearly 80 years of operation, the final mass was held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on May 3rd, 2009. The church was closed and sold.
Published November 17, 2011 |
Churches |
Ringgold County
| Map
