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.
United Methodist Church (Braddyville, Iowa)
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.
Public Library (Coggon, Iowa)
The public library in the Linn County community of Coggon dates to 1935 and was first organized by the local Ladies’ Literary and Social Club. The club came to an agreement with the town council to allot funds to the library from the Parks and Recreation Budget. The library was located in the front room of the City Hall building, and by 1954, the collection exceeded 6,000 books. In 1958, the library was relocated to the public school to meet state education requirements. The library has since relocated to Main Street in the one-story building that used to house the local newspaper, the Coggon Monitor.
American Legion Post No. 382 (Ringsted, Iowa)
An American Legion post was established in the Emmet County town of Ringsted on January 27, 1920. Named in memory of two local soldiers, membership in the Christiansen-Bonnicksen Post grew significantly after World War II, and the organization sought a headquarters site. In the fall of 1993, a fire extensively damaged the American Legion building.
With help from the Ringsted community, the building was completely repaired and remodeled and reopened in 1994. Under the direction of Legion members and a local volunteer board, the center has hosted many events, from meetings to receptions to graduation parties.
Welcome Sign (Albert City, Iowa)
This welcome sign directing traffic to the Buena Vista town of Albert City highlights its Swedish heritage with the slogan, How Swede It Is! When the community was established in 1890, it was initially named Manthrop, after a town in Sweden. The U.S. Postal Service was concerned about potential confusion between Manthrop and nearby Marathon, so the name was changed to Albert City, after Albertina Anderson, the wife of the town’s founder.