The Boyden Post Office opened on Thursday, April 28, 1960, and was dedicated on Saturday, July 14, 1960. “Our beautiful new postal facility is symbolic of the modern, business-like approach now being applied to postal improvements throughout the entire nation,” said local Postmaster Norman Bell.
The Hy-Vee supermarket chain can trace its retail roots to this nondescript brick building in the tiny community of Beaconsfield, Iowa. Now a community building, Charles Hyde and David Vrendenburg (the namesakes for Hy-Vee) opened their first store in this building in 1930. A plaque on the north side of the building provides visitors with a nice overview of the building’s significance.
Beaconsfield is Iowa’s smallest incorporated community, with 11 residents counted in the 2000 Census.
The Public Library in Glenwood is one of 50 active Carnegie Libraries in Iowa. The library was built at a cost of $7,500 and opened its doors to the public in 1907. The library underwent significant renovations in the 1980s, including the addition of an elevator on the south side of the building.
Until November 19, 2011, the Wright County town of Galt held the distinction of being the smallest incorporated town in Iowa with an active post office. Home to just 32 residents and even fewer active post office boxes, the small office in Galt was open 14 hours each week when it closed. Postal service was first established in the tiny community in January 1882.
The public library in Milton, Iowa, has an operating income around $2,200 in 2008 to rank as the smallest library in the state based on financial data. The library is located on North Main Street near the city park and former train depot. Visitors to Milton will want to check out the Milton Creamery.