In 1978, the Palmyra Township in rural Warren County was considering razing the 100-year-old Palmyra Methodist Episcopal Church. The prospect of demolition led to the formation of Friends of Palmyra Church, a group focused on restoring the historic church and listing the building on the National Register of Historic Places. The church was added to the Register in 1979, preventing demolition and propelling the group forward with its restoration plans.
The process was slow, but by 1984, auxiliary Sunday School rooms were removed to return the church to its 1870 footprint. The interior was restored and period-appropriate internal fixtures were installed. The church was made available for events and weddings and a non-denominational annual service was scheduled. The group’s recent focus has shifted to the exterior, raising funds to replace the aging roof and apply a fresh coat of paint. Photographed April 3, 2009.
Samuel H. Gill was appointed postmaster of the Pocahontas County town of Havelock on March 1, 1882. First mail service was provided by the postmaster’s twice-weekly horseback ride to and from Pocahontas, then via messenger from the nearby Chicago & Northwestern Railway stop. Eventually, train service was discontinued in favor of highway-based Star Route Service which originated from the Fort Dodge office. The Havelock Post Office has been in its current location since the late 1940s; the building previously served as the Farmers Savings Bank.
The First Presbyterian Church was first organized in the unincorporated Kossuth County community of Irvington on October 8, 1889 with sixteen charter members. First services were held in the local school house, though construction began on a standalone church building shortly after. The church has never had a resident minister, but instead was served by Presbyterian pastors from nearby towns of LuVerne, Livermore, Burt and Algona.
Two small additions were added to the church in 1972, and the Sanctuary and Annex were completely redecorated in 1975. Services are held Sundays at 8:30 a.m.
When the mail route from the northwestern Iowa cities of Pocahontas to Humboldt was established in May 1878, Ellen Van Alstine was appointed postmistress of a the Blooming Prairie Post Office a mile north of present-day Gilmore City. When the railroad was constructed a mile south of Blooming Prairie, the post office was transferred a mile south and known as the Gilmore City Post Office as of August 3, 1882. The present facility opened on July 1, 1957, constructed as a stand-alone post office at a cost of $8,000.
The first church services in the Harrison County town of Little Sioux were held in the log cabin school by a group of Methodists. In 1972, the members decided to build a new church and pledged funds for the $1,000 facility, which was constructed on a lot donated by James Scofield. In 1928, the church was raised to allow the addition of a basement. Numerous improvements have been made since, including the installation of stained glass memorial windows, a walnut altar, updated carpeting, and an organ. The pastor also serves churches in nearby Pisgah and Mondamin.
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