Alden is the smallest town in the United States to have an endowed Carnegie Library. It was built at a cost of $9,000. It was a gift from Andrew Carnegie on November 7, 1913.

The original Library was built in 1914 with the grant from the Carnegie Foundation. The Library was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. That Library served Alden for 85 years. In 1998 a Capital Campaign was started to raise $550,000 for an addition, that would double the size of the library, and renovation of the existing library. In January of 1998 we received $250,000 from the Dr. Grace O. Doane Foundation, that turned our “dream” into a reality. On August 26, 1999 we held our ground breaking ceremony. On June 17, 2000 we held the dedication of our new Library. (pictured on the left border)

Dr. Doane became involved in the management and growth of Iowa Limestone Company in the early 1930’s. She was the first woman to graduate with a doctorate from Drake Medical School in ear, nose and throat. Dr. Doane established the Grace O. Doane Foundation, a Scholarship in her name through Drake University, and St. Francis Hospital of Mountain View, Missouri before her death in 1980.

Alden's History
Hearing glowing reports of vast, beautiful, rich and unsettled land west of the Mississippi, Henry Alden, 53 years old (sixth in line of descent of John and Priscilla Alden of Mayflower fame) and Sumner Kemp, 21 years, late in June of 1854 arrived in the area. Henry Alden purchased 20 acres for $125 to use as a location for their saw mill.

In late April, 1855, Sumner Kemp and Ira Plummer walked to Fort Des Moines #2, where Kemp entered 120 acres of U. S. Government land under the Homestead Act for himself and 80 acres for Henry Alden on which was located the original plat for the town of Alden.

In late 1855 and 1856, Henry Alden and others laid out what is known as the original town of Alden; later the township also took his name.

The town of Alden was incorporated in 1879, with a voting result of 61 in favor and 14 opposed.

In 1858, a grist mill was built below the original saw mill. It became as fine a mill as any in the state. In 1914, when the center of the dam went out, the mill ceased operation. Welden Bros. Built the present dam in 1931, when a swimming beach and boating area was needed by the community.

In 1869, the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad (now the Illinois Central) came through to Webster City which helped delivery of needed staple items.

The Chicago, Iowa and Dakota Railroad (now the Chicago Northwestern) came into Alden from Eldora in 1884. Now that transportation of perishable products in refrigerator cars was assured, a creamery was erected. There were many other thriving businesses such as: Rummel Wagon Works, Chet Wood’s (manufacturer of dirt-loading equipment, manure spreaders and excavator and road builder), Hale-Roberts Stone Co. (now Iowa Limestone Company), ice houses, several hotels, elevator, lumberyard, etc.

The first schoolhouse in Alden was built in 1856, now a part of the Howard Calkins’ house. Ten years later a new one was built on a hill farther east. Another school, a part of the present one, was completed in 1924.

From 1854 to 1880, Alden had built four churches: The Congregational, First Methodist Episcopal, Immanuel-Evangelical and Reformed, and the German Society of the Methodist Episcopal. St. Paul’s Lutheran (Missouri Synod) was established in 1908.

The first post office was established in 1855. The present post office was dedicated in 1969.

The Alden Hall or Lyceum was the main entertainment center for the town from early days until 1920’s. There were programs there every Saturday Night from November to March. Besides local and area talent, there also was talent from other parts of the state, nation and even foreign countries. The Lyceum drew 100-400 people regularly. In those days Alden was called “The Athens of the West.”

Many businesses thrived and people traded in Alden for miles around. A couple of the favorite ones were Spencer's Department Store, located where the Clover Farm Grocery Store was, and Furry’s Department Store, located in the Shamrock Café Building.

In 1868 the Iowa Falls and Sioux City Railroad was completed to Alden. During the winter of 1868-1869, a depot building was erected. The first regular agent was J. M. Fisher, who took charge of the office September 1, 1869.

The old ball park, located at the County highway building, served baseball teams from the founding of the town. From 1886 to the 1940’s, Egg Day and the 4th of July were well attended by Alden. Now the Lion’s Club has an annual celebration in June or July.