This historic depot in downtown Creston was originally built by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad line and in 1899. It was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in the 1974 following a restoration project that repurposed the building as a community municipal complex. The first floor currently houses a congregate meal site and model railroad club, while city offices and Council chambers are found on the second floor.
Amtrak makes daily stops in Creston, but its passengers are relegated to a mundane building next door. A recent article in Creston’s daily newspaper indicated a community push to move the Amtrak waiting area to the historic depot facility.
Located on the western edge of Pocahontas County, the community of Varina is home to 90 residents; a highlight of this small city is this September 11 mural, painted on the side of the Post Office building in the center of town.
Intricate neon and incandescent lights cover the red and white marquee at the Iowa Theater in Onawa. Located on the western edge of Onawa’s downtown district, the 275-seat single screen theatre dates to the late 1930s. It unexpectedly shut its doors in 1994 with a sign stating it was closed for renovations. In 2002, an Onawa resident purchased the theatre, which had fallen to a state of disrepair.
The dilapidated theatre underwent a quarter-million dollar renovation, with a new ceiling, all new seats, new draperies, doors and the latest screen and sound technologies. Movies are a reasonable $6 for adults, with specials on Monday and Tuesday nights; in 1982, seats were $1.50 each.
The majestic Taylor County Courthouse sits one block north of Main Street in Bedford in Southwest Iowa. Local Bedford limestone lines this historic courthouse, which dates to 1892 and was constructed at a cost of $39,000. Its most remarkable feature is the towering white clock tower; according to the Bedford community website, locals refer to the courthouse as the “Majestic Lady with the White Crown.”
Retired Iowa farmers Richard and Donna Hamann surprised the community of Anthon in December 2004 by paying the electric bills for all residents and businesses in the town, due on Christmas day. Located in Woodbury County, the town of 650 people received another gift from the Hamanns the following year: a new memorial library building that was dedicated on October 15, 2005.
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