Historic Sites

Historical Museum (Brooklyn, Iowa)

Community Museum (Brooklyn, Iowa)

In the mid-1990s, the 130-year-old Manatt house was about to be sold by the city council in the Poweshiek County town of Brooklyn. The council was willing to dispense of the building for $1, given the buyer would move the building to make room for the new library. Residents received word of the arrangement made by the council and immediately began raising the $50,000 required to void the sale. The community banded together, raising $52,000 in less than a month. The home was purchased and now is operated as a historical museum by the Brooklyn Historical Society.

Post Offices

Post Office 50628 (Elma, Iowa)

A large crowd attended the dedication of the new post office in the Howard County town of Elma on October 2, 1960. The ceremony included a performance from the high school band and choir, a flag-raising ceremony conducted by the Boy Scouts, and a unison Pledge of Allegiance and Star Spangled Banner. The brick and glass building was significant upgrade from the old facility, featuring more floor space, 264 lock boxes, air conditioning, and the latest postal equipment.

Churches

St. Patrick Catholic Church (Corning, Iowa)

St. Patrick Catholic Church (Corning, Iowa)

The first church of St. Patrick was built in the Adams County seat of Corning in 1871. A second church was constructed at the present site in 1883 and served the congregation for nearly 50 years — until the present brick building was dedicated on November 18, 1931. The sanctuary was remodeled in 1975 at a cost of $18,000; additional updates were made to the church and attached rectory in 2011. The interior benefited from new paint, carpet, kneelers, and refinishing of the quarter-oak pews. A few exterior updates are currently underway, including new landscaping and the addition of a handicap entrance.

The parish of approximately 100 families is currently led by Father Lazarus Kirigia, a Kenya native.

Public Libraries

Public Library (Coin, Iowa)

Public Library (Coin, Iowa)

In spring 1981, the Henderson and King families donated a large collection of books to the Page County community of Coin to be used to establish a public library. In May, Coin Mayor Mike Irvin appointed a committee to serve as board members for the library; they worked quickly, and the Coin Public Library was established the following month. After quick stints in an old schoolhouse and local church, the library was moved to its present building on Main Street.

Clevia Williams, a retired school teacher, Coin councilwoman and self-taught librarian, was very instrumental in developing, expanding, cataloging and organizing the early library collection. Her work is memorialized with a special bookshelf within the library. While the library is stocked primarily with donated books, memorials and gifts have allowed a few new books to be purchased each year.

The Coin Public is staffed entirely by volunteers, with financial support for utilities and other maintenance expenses coming from the city, county, and annual fundraising events. To contribute to the small library, funds or books can be mailed to 115 Main Street, Coin, Iowa 51636. The library is open six days weekly.

Town Signs

Welcome Sign (Sharpsburg, Iowa)

Welcome Sign (Sharpsburg, Iowa)

The Taylor County community of Sharpsburg was founded in 1884, when the Humeston & Shenandoah Railroad laid track through the area. Track was completed the following year, and the city grew with the addition of a stockyard, depot and post office by January 1886. Population peaked at 188 in 1920, and has slowly dwindled since. Train service was discontinued in 1945. The school consolidated with Lenox in 1959, with final classes held in 1968. The part-time post office is in danger of closing. Sharpsburg is currently home to 89 residents.

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