Despite a dwindling residential population, the Humboldt County community of Pioneer is still a daily destination for area farmers doing business at the local Pro Coop office, which operates the pictured grain elevators. With a population of 21 as of the 2000 census, Pioneer is the third-smallest incorporated city in the state of Iowa. For more, check out this detailed town history of Pioneer.
The Free Public Library in Humboldt was opened and dedicated on Tuesday, February 9, 1909. According to the Humboldt Independent, the library dedication was “well attended by the ladies and young people of the town.” The dedication included a number of speeches from local and state officials, followed by an official flag raising to commence the afternoon event. Activities were scheduled to run through the evening but were briefly interrupted due to a late afternoon snow storm.
The original library building is still in use, though it was expanded and renovated in 1992. The library features an Iowa limestone exterior and oak columns and woodwork inside; construction costs were covered by a $10,000 Carnegie grant.