In late February 2011, Iowa Backroads published two weekend updates related to the closure and potential closure of up to 18 post offices across the state of Iowa. Since then, post office closings have been in the news on a local and national level, and the number potentially slated for closure in Iowa exceeds 270. View the latest Iowa post office closings list.
While a U.S. Postal Service memo suggests closings may be slowing for the holiday season, plans to close Iowa offices are still moving forward. A recap of related local news follows:
- Brunsville: One of three Plymouth County post offices which may be closing. Le Mars Sentinel
- Coulter: A decision to close the Frankin County post office was made. Details, including installation of cluster boxes and a closure date, have not been finalized. Hampton Chronicle
- Crystal Lake: A meeting about post office closure was held November 28. Forest City Summit
- Dedham: Postal officials are meeting with the community on December 14 regarding post office closure. The town’s put together a special web page for residents hoping to save their post office.
- Dolliver: Many of Dolliver’s 38 residents showed up for the meeting to discuss the potential closure of their post office on November 14. Estherville Daily News
- Goodell: Residents adjust after their post office closed in September. Mason City Globe Gazette
- Homestead: The post office, in operation since 1852 and housed in the same building since 1913, closed due to lease issues on Monday, November 28. Iowa City Press-Citizen
- Joice: A meeting was held December 1 regarding potential post office closure. KIMT
- Killduff: The unincorporated Jasper County town will lose its post office January 5. USPS
- McCausland: Residents are waiting for an update on the status of their post office, which is threatened for closure for the third time in six years. North Scott Press
- New Liberty: Residents fear post office closure is a foregone conclusion. North Scott Press
- Pisgah: The Missouri Valley Times News reports the post office in Pisgah may close by spring.
- Onslow: Congressman Bruce Braley met with residents in my favorite Jones County town, offering support for small-town post offices. Monticello Express
- Oyens: One of three Plymouth County post offices which may be closing. Le Mars Sentinel
- Westfield: One of three Plymouth County post offices which may be closing. Le Mars Sentinel
- Woden: Operations at this Hancock County post office will cease January 13. KIMT
Published December 3, 2011 |
Features, Post Offices |
On February 15, 1939, members of the Page County community of Essex met in the city hall with the goal of establishing a city library. A library board was created, and in their next meeting determined to make a house-to-house canvass of the town seeking donations and books. Their efforts were quickly rewarded, and a library opened within the city hall building in April 1939. By 1956, the library moved from its city hall space to a portion of a local bank building. The most recent move was a decade ago, when the library moved to a new 5,000-square-foot facility in downtown Essex. The design features ample natural lighting, exposed wood trusses, and the ability to expand by up to 30% within the new building.
Further Reading: Read more about the Lied Foundation, which provided significant funding for the library project, in this article from the Lawrence (Kansas) World-Journal.
Published October 12, 2011 |
Features |
Page County
Iowa Backroads has featured a number of photos from towns being visited along the 2011 RAGBRAI route. They’re chronicled below:
Sunday, July 24
Monday, July 25
Published July 24, 2011 |
Features |
On January 19, 1905, residents in the Chickasaw County town of Nashua learned that Andrew Carnegie offered a $5,000 grant for construction of a new public library building. The offer was contingent that the city would furnish the site and a tax would be established to support the facility. Work was completed by the end of the year, with a formal dedication ceremony held in January 1906.
In 1986, a 3,000-square-foot lobby was added to the rear of the building, an upgrade entirely paid for by local donations and grants. The library is open Monday through Saturday.
Published July 20, 2011 |
Features |
Chickasaw County
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At one time, Iowa was home to more than 50 drive-in movie theaters among over 4,000 operating nationwide. While most drive-in screens in the state have been shuttered and torn down in favor of farmland or retail development, there are a handful of survivors, including the 61-year-old 61 Drive-In Theatre, located just south of Maquoketa in northeast Iowa. Named after the adjacent U.S. Highway, movies are shown Friday and Saturday nights through Memorial Day weekend, then nightly through the warm summer months.
Each showing is a double feature, with two films from the same studio played back to back. Doors open in the early evening, with ticket costs running at $7.50 for adults and $3.50 for children ages 5-12, while children 4 years and younger are free. On the weekend, it’s especially important to arrive early to get your car a good spot; if the movie showing is expected to be extremely popular, it’s recommended to bring along a blanket and portable radio — so if the lot is full, you can leave your car outside and still enjoy the film.
While shows don’t begin until the sun goes down, there are plenty of opportunities for entertainment while at the theatre; a large children’s play area features a dozen swings, while a kiddie train parades around the concessions. Take a cooler and picnic goods to enjoy while waiting for the film, or purchase snacks from the reasonably-priced on-site concession stand. Drive-In 61 in Maquoketa is extremely well-run, making for a worthy road-trip for families and friends looking for a unique and fun evening of entertainment.
Published June 6, 2011 |
Features, Movie Theatres |
Jackson County
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