Morris Monson constructed this brick building in 1916 for the sale of new cars to residents in and around the Webster County town of Harcourt. When his business was shuttered, it was converted to an auto repair shop, operated under monikers including Miller’s Garage and Ted’s Garage. In the late 1970s, the building was converted into Harcourt’s town hall and fire department.
Residents in the Delaware County town of Earlville received a surprise letter in their mailboxes in April 2011, noting that the post office would be closing in a matter of days. The letter cited the inability of the U.S. Postal Service to reach a lease agreement with the building owner. Despite reaching out to Iowa representatives and postal service officials in attempt to find a resolution, the town’s 820 residents saw the facility close its doors on April 28, 2011, after over 150 years of continuous service.
Founded on December 11, 1889, the Church of Christ is the oldest church in the Woodbury County town of Anthon. The initial membership totaled 14 members, who contributed $1,000 to construction of the building in 1890. The church, which was moved to its present location in 1916, has seen just a few major changes over its century-plus history. Main changes include the addition of a basement in 1953 and main-floor classrooms in 1960.
In 1956, the Culture Club in the Floyd County town of Rudd formed a committee to establish a public library. Space in a vacant barbershop was quickly secured, and a library was opened with donated books and volunteer librarians. The library relocated in 1959 before moving to its present facility in 1967. Half of the funds for the $16,000 brick building were raised by the community; the remaining money was donated by the Mason City-based Kinney Lindstrom Foundation.
At one time, the now-tiny Union County town of Thayer was home to four churches: an Evangelical Church, Catholic Church, Christian Church and Methodist Church. Like many small towns in the state, Thayer saw residents, businesses, schools – and churches – close their doors. By the 1970s, only the Methodist Church remained.
The church building was moved to Thayer from a nearby settlement named West Union in 1900. A team of mules and horses hauled the building to its present location. A basement was later added, and the church served the community until 1995. By that time, membership numbered less than 20 and the church was discontinued. The building was given to the city and now serves as the Town Hall and Community Center for the 59 residents.