In November 1965, a contract was awarded to resident Harold D. Burkholder to build a new post office in the Iowa County community of Parnell. With an interior space of nearly 1,200 square feet, the new post office had air conditioning along with a separate parking area. The new Parnell Post Office building was officially dedicated in September 1966.
The Williamsburg Journal-Tribune reported the dedication brought 700 people from Parnell and the surrounding area. The dedication included a flag-raising ceremony from the local American Legion group, a benediction from a local Mennonite pastor, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Parnell’s mayor. The dedication was followed by an open house.
Postal service originated in Parnell in November 1884 under the Callan moniker, in recognition of the large property ownership by the Callan family at the time. The name was changed following the official establishment of Parnell when the Milwaukee Railroad line was connected to the community. The Post Office had a variety of locations, including local grocery and hardware stores.
Published January 27, 2012 |
Post Offices |
Iowa County
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The Trinity Lutheran Church in the Iowa County town of Millersburg was constructed in March 1937, with the help of volunteer labor and one paid carpenter. A new floor and kitchen cabinets were installed in the basement in 1958; at the same time, a multipurpose room was created on the main level. Since 1963, Trinity has shared a pastor with Calvary Lutheran Church in nearby Deep River. The most recent change to the church was the addition of stained glass windows in 1993.
Published September 22, 2011 |
Churches |
The Amana Colonies village of South Amana is well-known for its abundance of brick buildings and summer flower gardens. The post office, which has been in operation since 1874, occupies one of the many historic buildings in the community.
Published December 23, 2010 |
Post Offices |
Iowa County
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The unincorporated village of Homestead was not part of the original Amana Colonies settlement. It was added in 1861, six years after the original six communities were formed, to give the Colonies access to the railroad. Visitors to Homestead will find several original brick Amana dwellings. Though they are now privately owned by individual families, at time of construction, these homes served as the residence for three or four families at a time.
The Post Office in Homestead was in place before the community was incorporated into the Amana Colonies. The post office was originally established in 1852, more than 30 years before service was present in any other Amana village. It appears have remained in the same location since at least 1919, though its modern day appearance varies from the postcard: a ramp has been added added, chimneys removed, and supports now prop up the west wall of the building.
Published December 22, 2010 |
Post Offices |
Iowa County
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This small post office located along Iowa State Highway 220 serves residents in the unincorporated village of Middle Amana. Residents were up in arms in September 1995 when word spread that the Postal Service was considering closing the Middle Amana location. According to an article in the Cedar Rapids Gazette, resident Arnold Moessner circulated a petition to protest the proposed closing; he was quoted: “That’s kind of our morning exercise. We walk to the post office instead of the coffee shop.”
By November 1995, Postal Service officials indicated the post office would be spared. Furnace concerns, which were one consideration in the proposal to close the office, had been resolved, and a nearby postmaster had transferred in to operate the facility. The post office remains open today, with 157 boxes to serve the village of Middle Amana.
Published December 21, 2010 |
Post Offices |
Iowa County
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