Built in 1886 at a cost of $132,500, the Romanesque-style Mahaska County Courthouse sits on the east side of the square in downtown Oskaloosa, Iowa. Only one major change has been made to the courthouse since its construction, when the clock tower was lowered in 1934. The 125-year-old building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
Postal service was established in Keswick in Keokuk County, Iowa, on November 12, 1879. Mail volume at the local post office increased on July 1, 1902, when rural free delivery was established in Keswick and six other Iowa communities. Keswick’s one carrier route spanned 23 miles, serving 810 area residents. The establishment of the rural route resulted in discontinuation of the post office location in nearby Ambrose in adjacent Iowa County.
The Keswick Post Office moved to its current location in 1965, when a downtown building was restored by two residents and leased to the US Postal Service.
Over the past decade, the Iowa-based Fridley Theatres chain has been working to reduce its small-town footprint to focus on its multiplex operations in the state’s larger communities. The single-screen Riviera Theatre in downtown Emmetsburg is one of the latest cinemas to transfer ownership, as local businessmen purchased the theatre in late April 2010. The theatre was closed for a couple of weeks to allow improvements to the 1930s-era building, including new sound and projection systems.
In addition to first-run movies, which are shown seven days weekly, the theatre can be rented out to groups and organizations for parties, meetings, and more. During the college football season, free parties have been held for community members to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes for free on the big theatre screen.
The Mitchell County Courthouse in Osage was constructed in 1858, making it one of the oldest operating courthouses in the state of Iowa. The longevity of the courthouse is especially impressive given the controversy at the time of opening.
Per the Mitchell County website, the original county seat was located in nearby Mitchell, due to its central location within the county. The people of Osage objected, an election was held, and Osage was victorious. The victory was not without controversy, however, as rumors suggested votes for Osage were “bought and paid for with merchandise.”
To help their case for the courthouse, Osage constructed a courthouse and jail in 1858, with the agreement to give them to the county when construction was completed. In addition, Osage conspired with Charles City, a community vying to become the county seat of the adjacent Floyd County. To make both cities more centrally located within their respective county, a three-mile strip of Floyd County was given to Mitchell County.
In the ensuing years, Mitchell’s population has dwindled, with 155 residents as of the 2000 census. Mitchell lost its post office in 2004.
When Melbourne’s volunteer fire department relocated to a new, modern facility, the City Hall took over the former location, constructed in 1954. The red brick building houses the city offices around with city-owned maintenance vehicles in the garages the fire trucks once sat. Home to nearly 800 residents, the tight-knit community of Melbourne sits along State Highway 330 in southeastern Marshall County, Iowa.
The first weekend of August marks Melbourne’s annual “Mousehole Days” celebration, which originated in the as a car show nearly three decades ago. It snowballed into a full-fledged family event, where residents and visitors alike enjoy a activities held across town, including a parade, softball tournament, and a full slate of games for all ages. The event kicks off each year with the popular fire department fish fry. For more information about Melbourne, check out the official city website.