The Westmar Memorial Park was dedicated in August 2004, seven years after the university closed its doors. The park is filled with mementos from the former university, including the bell tower, gazebo, and the college sundial. The bricks used in the entryway above were taken from Dubs and Wernli Hall, two buildings which were torn down in 2002.
Westmar College operated for 107 years, which included a five year stint associated with Teikyo University, a global consortium of schools and colleges based in Japan. While some college buildings have been repurposed, many on the campus remain empty. For more detail on the history of Westmar, check out the Westmar Alumni and Friends Association website.
At first glance, visitors may believe the post office in Rubio is still active: the yard is well-maintained, United States Postal Service logos can be found on both windows, and the official zip code sign is still in place on the south side of the building. In reality, the Postal Service hasn’t operated in this Washington County community since June 1980. The unincorporated community of Rubio lost its zip code and residents now receive mail via nearby Richland’s rural route.
Like many small-town theatres in Iowa, the Lyric Theatre in Belmond is owned and operated by a local non-profit organization. In1992, the Belmond Area Arts Council resurrected the previously-closed theatre with a simple mission: “To provide quality entertainment at a reasonable price for the community.”
Nearly twenty years later, the Lyric Theatre is still in operation and showing movies daily for just $2.00. Moviegoers will appreciate the plush interior, which underwent extensive renovation in fall 2005. Floors were replaced, walls repainted and new reclining seats with cupholders were installed.
This former Mobil Gas Station was constructed in 1934 from local river and glacial stone. After over 40 years of operation, the full-service station closed its doors in the late 1970s. In 1999, the city of Correctionville purchased and renovated the vacant station, adding a new roof, floor, plumbing and electrical system.
Based in Sutherland in O’Brien County Iowa, Security State Bank operates a small branch in nearby Calumet; it’s open two hours each weekday to serve the community of 181 residents.
