On December 30, 1901, Marshalltown was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Andrew Carnegie foundation to construct a new public library facility. The corner building opened its doors April 22, 1903, and served the community for the next 105 years. When the Marshalltown Public Library moved to a brand new, single-story facility in December 2008, plans went into motion to repurpose the historic building for local government use.
By September 2010, a $1.3 million renovation was complete, and several city departments had moved to the new quarters. An enclosed connection was added between the Carnegie building and the adjacent City Hall, benefiting both city employees and local residents utilizing government services. A standing-room-only crowd attended the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony was held September 14, 2010.
According to the WPA Guide to 1930s Iowa, pioneer Luther H. Barnes dreamed of a great city growing on the banks of the Little Sioux River in northwest Iowa. He platted Sioux Rapids in 1858 but the “community failed to thrive” and Barnes left “heart-broken and impoverished.” He may just have been a few years ahead of his time: eleven years later, D.C. Thomas and David Evans replatted the town, residents settled, and postal service was established by 1870. Sioux Rapids is now home to 720 people.
Located along Main Street in the Taylor County seat of Bedford, the Eatery is open Tuesday through Friday for lunch and Saturday evenings for dinner. Diners can try the daily special is written on a white board outside the restaurant, or choose from their small menu of sandwiches and entrees. Canned soda, tea, and lemonade are available drink options, and slices of homemade pie make for great dessert.
While you’re dining in the quaint restaurant, be sure to take note of the excellent interior restoration work. Woodwork and doors were removed, stripped, and replaced, while the detailed tin ceilings were exposed, cleaned, and painted. The renovation work, both inside and outside, garnered awards for owner Shirley Winemiller. Preservation Iowa and Main Street Iowa both recognized The Eatery, which opened for business August 8, 2009.
Approximately 200 residents were in attendance for the dedication of the new Post Office building in the Worth County community of Manly in October 1961. The dedication service included speeches from U.S. Congressman H. R. Gross and Manly Mayor M. H. Barker along with a performance from the community high school band. Following the dedication, the Manly Community Association sponsored a free pancake dinner for all present at the Manly City Hall. Postal service was first established in Manly in 1877.
This small building served as the post office for the Boone County community of Luther until February 2011, when a truck drove into the side of the building and service was suspended. Home to 160 residents, Luther was platted in January 1893, ten years after a post office location was originally established. The town is named for Clarke Luther, a prominent area farmer who owned the land and house where the original post office was first stationed.
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