Former Davis County Savings Bank (Moulton, Iowa)

Former Davis County Savings Bank (Moulton, Iowa)

In 1906, the growing First National Bank of Moulton moved to a brand new building on the west side of the town’s Main Street. Constructed in a quasi-Greek Revival style, the facility served the community for two decades before the bank was shuttered. In 1936, a group of Moulton businessmen requested the Davis County Savings Bank of Bloomfield investigate opening a branch in the unused building. A charter was granted and the Davis County Savings Bank began its Moulton operation the same year.

The historic bank office has been unoccupied since 2005, when Davis County Savings Bank (now known as Success Bank) constructed a modern facility across the street.

Post Office 52742 (DeWitt, Iowa)

Post Office 52742 (DeWitt, Iowa)

Mail equipment was transferred to the new post office in the Clinton County community of DeWitt on Friday, July 14, 2000, and the new facility was officially opened to customers the following Monday. The new post office offered dedicated customer parking, a 24-hour lobby, and about twice the square footage of the previous location.

The previous post office was constructed in 1936, one of several built across the state as part of the Works Project Administration. After sitting vacant for nearly a year, the City of DeWitt purchased the building and renovated the interior for use as the City Hall.

Ruritan Community Center (Rose Hill, Iowa)

Ruritan Community Center (Rose Hill, Iowa)

Settled along the line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, he town plat for the Mahaska County town of Rose Hill dates to September 6, 1875. At its peak, Rose Hill was home to two hotels, a lumberyard, grain elevator, tile factory, creamery, and a school. Many businesses folded during the Great Depression, while the grocery store closed its doors in 1966.

In 1993, the Rose Hill Ruritan-Community building went up in flames; it was quickly rebuilt and remains a popular place for area clubs and gatherings.

Public Library (Mt. Ayr, Iowa)

Public Library (Mt. Ayr, Iowa)

Mount Ayr’s first formal library was established in November 15, 1913, with its initial collection of books donated from a number of local groups and individuals. After 18 months of operation, the library committee submitted a proposition to the voters to approve a maintenance tax to support the library. It was approved by a two-thirds majority, and the city officially began funding the library in July 1915.

At that time, a board was established, and they quickly applied for a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. Eight-thousand dollars was awarded to the community, and in August 1916, a contract was awarded to construct the building. Work was completed by the end of the year, and the library was officially dedicated January 3, 1917. The historic building, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, continues to serve residents of Mount Ayr and the surrounding areas.

Community Center (Albion, Iowa)

Community Center (Albion, Iowa)

When Albion joined the Marshalltown Community School District in 1962, the future of the large brick school building was in question. For a time, education continued in Albion with elementary classes held in the 1915 building. When the elementary classes were discontinued, the building was repurposed as a Community Center, which now holds dances, reunions and other gatherings. Area senior citizens also have a quarters in the building.

Featuring a new Iowa photo each weekday; dedicated to discovering and documenting the best of small-town Iowa.