7Titles
Explore publications and collections from the past.
Community History Archive Partner
Colfax Public Library
Colfax, Iowa
Explore this community history collection to discover the people, places, organizations, and events of Colfax.
1880 to 2025Dates represented
See individual titles for available dates.
124,070Archive pages
Historical pages reported for this collection.
Explore local history
Discover the people, places, and stories of Colfax, Iowa.
Get to know Colfax, Iowa in earlier years through the newspapers shared in the Colfax Public Library's digital archive. Its seven titles include material from 1880 to 2025.
Opens in a new tab.
-
Selected titles
Colfax Public Library shares titles including “Colfax Tribune” and “The Weekly Clipper”.
-
Free and open access
No subscription or payment required.
-
A closer look
A familiar name or event takes on another dimension in the newspaper coverage of its time, alongside the stories that mattered to the readers of that issue.
Historical newspapers can connect a family name with the events and everyday concerns of an earlier time, offering more than a date or a name on its own. Bring a family connection, a question about a familiar place or an interest in local history, and see where the sources lead. Explore the archive online for free, without a subscription.
Explore the collection
Titles in this collection
Browse seven titles and 124,070 digitized pages, with material from 1880 to 2025. A partnership between Colfax Public Library and Advantage Archives makes this collection available. Some years or items may be missing between the dates shown.
A familiar name or place can be the beginning of a story. Explore the titles below to see where that connection leads.
Colfax Tribune
6,398 pages from 1922 to 1929
Jasper County Tribune
35,072 pages from 1994 to 2025
The Colfax Clipper
14,950 pages from 1900 to 1918
The Colfax Tribune
41,434 pages from 1929 to 1974
The Jasper County Tribune
19,606 pages from 1974 to 1994
The Weekly Clipper
5,894 pages from 1880 to 1897
The Weekly Colfax Clipper
716 pages from 1898 to 1899
Opens in a new tab.
About the Archive
About The Colfax Public Library’s History Archives
The Colfax Public Library offers free access to a comprehensive collection of historical documents through its partnership with Advantage Archives . Visitors can explore these valuable resources both on-site and remotely, providing a unique opportunity to delve into the rich history of Colfax and Jasper County. The archives include a variety of local newspapers, capturing detailed insights into the community’s past. This digitization project was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the library staff and the generous support from local organizations.
About the Library
About The Colfax Public Library
The Colfax Public Library, with the mission of helping residents connect, discover, and be informed, has been strengthening the community since 1913. The library serves as a vital resource for the residents of Colfax, providing access to a wide range of materials and services that support education, information, and recreation. The library is dedicated to preserving the rich history of Colfax and Jasper County, making these resources accessible to the public.
Partner Story
The History Of Colfax
Colfax, Iowa, established in the late 19th century, has a rich history that reflects the development of the American Midwest. Known for its agricultural roots and strong community spirit, Colfax has grown into a vibrant town that embraces its historical heritage while looking forward to the future. The town's development was significantly influenced by local businesses and industries, which facilitated economic growth and community development. The Colfax Public Library plays a crucial role in preserving this heritage, ensuring that the stories and experiences of Colfax residents are accessible to future generations.
About the Community
About The Colfax Area
Colfax, located in Jasper County, Iowa, is a charming community known for its welcoming atmosphere and rich cultural heritage. Surrounded by picturesque landscapes, Colfax offers a blend of small-town charm and modern amenities. The town hosts various cultural and recreational events throughout the year, reflecting its dynamic and inclusive nature. The Colfax Public Library is a central hub for learning, connection, and enrichment, providing valuable resources and programs for residents and visitors alike.
More ways to explore and share local history
Research Guidance
Follow a story beyond the first mention
Start with something you would like to understand about the past of Colfax. It might be a person, a neighborhood or an event remembered in your family. Use the digital archive shared by the Colfax Public Library to follow that question into the historical record. When using historical newspapers, try alternate spellings and nearby dates, then read the surrounding page to place a local story in its time. Compare later reporting or another available title to explore different perspectives rather than treating one account as the whole story.
When a promising newspaper lead runs out, check the dates and titles represented before trying another name, place, or nearby issue. Keep unsuccessful searches with useful findings; gaps in coverage can limit what a search reveals. Use the dates and references to shape your next question, not as proof a missing result never existed.
As you piece together a story from the past, note where each detail came from and why it matters. Include the title, date, and page or item reference. Mark uncertain identifications and unanswered questions so a promising connection does not become an unsupported fact.
Community Partnership
Keeping local history a community resource
This community archive is made possible by the collaboration of the Colfax Public Library, its community, and Advantage Archives. Together, these partnerships preserve local sources and give people a way to explore, learn from, and share the history around them.
Advantage Archives covers ongoing archive hosting, storage, development, and maintenance. The institution and its community do not pay a subscription, seat license, annual support contract, or other recurring archive-service charge. Local history remains a community resource, not a subscription to maintain.
Would you like to see more of your community's history preserved and accessible? Start a conversation with your library, newspaper publisher, historical or genealogical society, museum, or school about the materials they would like to share and a possible partnership with Advantage Archives.
Learn about partnerships
Stories, research tips, and archive news
Read All About It connects archive research with the people and institutions preserving local history. Explore partner and community stories, project updates, research ideas, and perspectives on digitization, education, and working with primary sources. Use the articles as a starting point for your next question or a new way to share a discovery.
May 7, 2025
Why Microfilm is still important in 2023
Preserving documents on microfilm has been a popular method of storage for many years, and it still holds many benefits today. Here…
Read article
May 7, 2025
Don’t Search For An Obituary By Only Searching For An “Obituary”
In the quest to trace our roots and understand our heritage, obituaries often serve as a crucial starting point. Obituaries are undoubtedly…
Read article
April 9, 2025
Unveiling the Hidden Mysteries: Exploring Cold Cases and Unconventional Clues
Even the most esteemed police forces in the county encounter perplexing cold case files. These unsolved mysteries often leave investigators and genealogists…
Read article
April 1, 2025
This Week in History: March 31st through April 6th
Discover History in The Community History Archives. This week in history, there is absolutely nothing to talk about… April Fools! April…
Read article
March 24, 2025
This Week in History: March 24th through March 30th
Discover History in The Community History Archives. It has officially been a year since I started writing This Week in History,…
Read article
March 18, 2025
It’s Your Community’s History, So Why Rent Something You Own?
We believe that history belongs to the communities where it was made - not locked behind paywalls or inaccessible due to budget restrictions. Subscription-based services and large content aggregators are generally more concerned with "content" and less concerned with the history that content contains. Their models typically involve a reoccurring charge for a plan that renews annually or licensing agreements with the library based on population served or circulation numbers. You are essentially Renting Access To YOUR History.
Read article