Since postal service was first established in the Wright County community of Rowan in 1884, no one has served as Postmaster longer than Mrs. Nellie Hyde. Hyde was first appointed to the role on July 23, 1920, under the direction of then Postmaster General Albert Burleson. At the time of her appointment, her father Authur Emerson was a rural mail carrier based in Rowan, who started his career carrying mail by mule. Hyde served as Postmaster for nearly 33 years before her retirement on June 30, 1953.
The Wright County Monitor reported on Hyde’s last day of service, a large group of citizens gathered at the closing hour to wish her well. On behalf of the community, they presented her with a “fish pole that she might accompany her husband on his fishing trips and a large can of bait, which proved to be a large amount of money donated by the patrons of the local office as a token of esteem for her service to the public the last 33 years.” Hyde was preceded by Mrs. Loretta M. Steffens who held the Postmaster position at the Rowan Post Office for the next 21 years.
Approximately 200 residents were in attendance for the dedication of the new Post Office building in the Worth County community of Manly in October 1961. The dedication service included speeches from U.S. Congressman H. R. Gross and Manly Mayor M. H. Barker along with a performance from the community high school band. Following the dedication, the Manly Community Association sponsored a free pancake dinner for all present at the Manly City Hall. Postal service was first established in Manly in 1877.
This small building served as the post office for the Boone County community of Luther until February 2011, when a truck drove into the side of the building and service was suspended. Home to 160 residents, Luther was platted in January 1893, ten years after a post office location was originally established. The town is named for Clarke Luther, a prominent area farmer who owned the land and house where the original post office was first stationed.
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.
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.
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