Plans for a public library in the Worth County town of Fertile began in the spring of 1967, when the town council appointed a board of trustees to establish a library. The board held its first official meeting in August 1967; space was quickly secured, and the first Fertile Public Library opened on October 21, 1967. Three years later, efforts began to raise funds for a permanent library building.
Construction on the current, $18,000 library began in July 1970, with many residents donating labor and supplies to build the brick and cement block building. Books and shelves were moved on December 3, 1970, with an open house held shortly after.
As the Appanoose County town of Exline began to grow, settlers quickly began to pursue the establishment of a post office. After an unsuccessful first attempt, resident Sarah E. Price began correspondance with the district’s Congressman, Ezekiel Sampson. Her persistence was rewarded, as she was named the first postmaster of the newly-established Exline Post Office in August 1877.
After being housed in a number of storefronts, a modern post office facility was constructed in May 1986. A formal dedication ceremony was held June 28, 1986; an open house followed the dedication.
The first Presbyterian church was constructed in the Warren County town of Hartford in 1869. As membership grew, a larger building was needed, and the current church was built at a cost of $18,000 in 1916. The church was partially destroyed by fire in 1945, but repairs were made and the church was rededicated in June 1948. Today, members meet for services each Sunday at 9:00 a.m.
While a small, private library operated in the rear of a local drugstore in the early 1900s, the first plans for a public library were developed in 1966. A committee was organized, regular meetings were held, and money was raised to purchase a building. Books were donated, and volunteers spent three months improving the building with new paint, shelving, ceiling tiles, a water fountain and more. The library opened to the public in 1967 with Agnes Cleveland as the first librarian.
In addition to a large book collection, the library now offers DVDs, copy service, and computer/internet access. The library is open five days each week.
The three-room former town hall building in the Allamakee County town of New Albin was constructed June 24, 1895. Rock and masonry work for the building was completed by Frank Brennan at a cost of $87.50, while the bulk of the structure was built by C.G. Erickson for $488.50. The first paint job was completed by Gene Bellows at a cost of $16.00. The fire bell was added to the December 2, 1901. A fundraising drive was held in the mid-1990s to preserve the historic hall, which has not been actively used for city functions since 1968.
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