Drake Community Library Archives

Digitized copies of materials from the Drake Community Library archives. Includes photographs and documents related to the history of the Grinnell community, businesses and organizations.

grinnell:6071
Unidentified, undated photograph from the Drake Community Library Archives oversize photos collection of a group of young women. Possibly 1890s based on clothing and hair styles. Drake Community Library Archives. Oversize photos.
grinnell:6487
Grinnell city waterworks in 1893. Men are gathered around the water tower. Note on back of photograph says: "Whenever there was a fire, they would raise the water pressure. When there was enough pressure it would wet the flag at the top of the pipe." The name, H.H. (Herb) Armstrong, is also written on the back. Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. Miscellaneous photographs. Collection #17-2, Grinnell Buildings.
grinnell:6155
Street scene in Grinnell, Iowa, showing storefront of Rapson and Moyle Grocers and Bakers and their horse drawn delivery cart in front. Dirt streets and hitching posts in front of store. Customers and grocers standing outside of the store. Written on back of photography: "Sep 13, 1893. Red Trout & Torce." Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. McNally photographs. Collection #1, Series #1-3.
grinnell:13071
Twins Laura K. and Lee L. Parmenter, daughter and son of Edward L. and Anna L. Parmenter. They were born in November 1888 and lived in Hickory Grove Township, Jasper County, Iowa. Photo by Child. Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. Miscellaneous photographs. Collection #17-6, People.
grinnell:6429
A portion of a sermon preached by Rev. James L. Hill on Sunday morning, July 9, 1893, at the Melville Presbyterian Church in Côte St. Antoine, Montreal, Quebec. Published by the Christian Endeavor Society of the Melville Church as a temperance campaign tract for general distribution. Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. McNally photographs. Collection #1, Series #1-2.
grinnell:12351
Journal kept by Richard Spire from 1894-1918 in which he recorded his observations on weather, crop yields and prices, land values, and a few comments on presidential elections and World War I. Richard Spire farmed in Sheridan Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa, from 1872-1910. He and his wife, Isadora Hatfield, had eight children. He was engaged in several livestock buying partnerships and was a large feeder of cattle. In 1899 he was elected assessor. Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. Collection #56.
grinnell:6491
Businesses on Commercial Street in Grinnell, Iowa, about 1894. From right to left: H.B. Lain Flour & Feed (816 Commercial), City Hall (820 Commercial) and the Mack Hotel (813 Broad). Fire wagons and horses and firemen are posed in front of City Hall which also housed the Fire Department. Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. Miscellaneous photographs. Collection #17-2, Grinnell Buildings.
grinnell:12227
Aerial view of Grinnell, Iowa, possibly taken in 1895 from the water standpipe at the corner of Second Avenue and Main Street. In the foreground appears to be a lumber yard. Mid-photo the Rock Island railroad lines run east and west. Next you see the rear facades of the buildings on Commercial Street between Main Street and Broad Street. Central Park is visible to the far right and the Congregational Church (the Old Stone Church) is visible to the north of that. Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. Miscellaneous photographs. Collection #17-5, Views of Grinnell.
grinnell:12228
Aerial view of Grinnell, Iowa, taken in October 1895 from the water standpipe at Second Avenue and Main Street. This view looks to the northwest. In the upper left the Spaulding carriage factory is visible. In the foreground are grain bins and an elevator. In the bottom right corner, the tracks in the road define Main Street. In the upper right, Grinnell House, and early hotel is visible and beyond that is Preston and Proctor opera house. Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. Miscellaneous photographs. Collection #17-5, Views of Grinnell.
grinnell:6378
Photo of the Grinnell Methodist Episcopal church under construction at the corner of 5th Avenue and Park Street in Grinnell, Iowa, in 1895. Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. McNally photographs. Collection #1, Series #1-2.
grinnell:6432
View of the library reading room in the Spaulding Building before 1902. Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. Miscellaneous photographs. Collection #17-2, Stewart Library.
grinnell:6452
View of the library reading room in the Spaulding building before 1902. Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. Miscellaneous photographs. Collection #17-1, Stewart Library.
grinnell:6430
Library room in the Spaulding Building before 1902, the beginnings of the Grinnell Free Library. Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. Miscellaneous photographs. Collection #17-2, Stewart Library.
grinnell:5219
Minutes of the Grinnell Political Equality Club from March 15, 1897 - October 8, 1908. The Club was formed on March 15, 1897. Although its avowed purpose was the passage of the 19th Amendment, the club also met to hear and discuss topics of interest and to interview candidates about women's suffrage. Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. Collection #161.
grinnell:12229
Co. K (possibly the Iowa 49th Volunteer Infantry) lines up on Main Street in Grinnell, Iowa, in spring 1898. The view is looking west northwest from the corner of Commercial and Main. Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. Miscellaneous photographs. Collection #17-5, Views of Grinnell.
grinnell:6156
Main Street, Grinnell, Iowa, 1898. Dawson Brande is aiming his gun at a duck decoy in a water-filled pothole on Main street. A sign says, "No swimming here." Other men are standing on the street observing. A horse watering trough is visible. Also pictured is a horse drawn vehicle, perhaps a food truck? Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. McNally photographs. Collection #1, Series #1-3.
grinnell:6062
First schoolhouse and the first scholars of the first term of Sugar Creek Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa. From left to right: Levi McDowell, James Stanley, John English, Mrs. John Baker, Mrs. Sam Stewart, and Mrs. John English. The school was built in 1851 and the first teacher was Mr. Jack McDowell. Photo by Dr. John Souter; taken about 1898. Drake Community Library Archives. Oversize photos.
grinnell:18873
Portrait of Grant and Don Williams. A handwritten note on the back indicates the men are shown in their Teddy Roosevelt Rough Rider uniforms. Portrait taken in Cheyenne, Wyoming by W.G. Walker Photographers. Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. Miscellaneous photographs. Collection #67 Grinnell/ Williams Family.
grinnell:12829
Company K of the Iowa National Guard before mustering out in May 1898. Note on verso of photograph says, "Kangaroo court -- Administering justice upon Mitchell for "flashing a silver dollar." Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. Miscellaneous photographs. Collection #17-6, People.
grinnell:12828
Co. K of the Iowa National Guard from Grinnell, Iowa. Note on verso of photo says: "Taken at state fairgrounds while waiting to be mustered in U.S. Service. May 1898." Drake Community Library (Grinnell, Iowa) Archives. Miscellaneous photographs. Collection #17-6, People.