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Community History Archives

Community History Archive Partner

Fonda and Newell Public Libraries

Newell, Iowa

Explore this community history collection to discover the people, places, organizations, and events of Newell.

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9Titles

Explore publications and collections from the past.

1875 to 2022Dates represented

See individual titles for available dates.

229,784Archive pages

Historical pages reported for this collection.

Explore local history

Discover the people, places, and stories of Newell, Iowa.

Explore the past of Newell, Iowa through newspapers and local history resources in the Fonda and Newell Public Libraries' digital archive. Its nine titles include material from 1875 to 2022.

You can open the archive using the link below.
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  • Selected titles

    The collection from Fonda and Newell Public Libraries includes “Buena Vista County Journal” and “The Varina Enterprise”.

  • Free and open access

    No subscription or payment required.

  • Ways to explore

    A familiar name or place connected with Newell, Iowa may take on new meaning in the newspaper accounts of an earlier generation.

Behind the public events of an earlier time are the lives of people who called a place home. Newspapers preserve some of those connections through the language and concerns of their day. As local history resources, they can bring a question about Newell, Iowa into a wider setting, connecting a familiar name or place with a world that was still unfolding. Each account preserves a perspective, not the whole community’s story.

Whether you are tracing a family connection, exploring a local event or sharing history with a class, there is more to discover than names and dates alone. Explore the archive online for free, without a subscription.

Explore the collection

Titles in this collection

Browse nine titles and 229,784 digitized pages, with material from 1875 to 2022. This collection is shared through Fonda and Newell Public Libraries' partnership with Advantage Archives. Some years or items may be missing between the dates shown.

Explore the titles below for a closer look at the places, people and everyday life of earlier generations.

Buena Vista County Journal

57,720 pages from 1981 to 2022

Fonda Journal And Times

1,880 pages from 1913 to 1915

Journal And Times

1,616 pages from 1912 to 1916

Newell Weekly Mirror

42 pages in 1879

Pocahontas County Historic Book

1,580 pages in 1901

Pocahontas Times

5,296 pages from 1883 to 1894

The Fonda Times

78,002 pages from 1894 to 1987

The Newell Mirror

83,646 pages from 1875 to 1981

The Varina Enterprise

2 pages in 1900

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About the Archive

About The Newell and Fonda Public Libraries’ History Archives

Explore free access to historical newspapers and other primary source documents through a unique partnership with Advantage Archives . The Newell Public Library and the Fonda Public Library offer a rich digital archive encompassing thousands of pages, spanning from 1875 to 2022. This extensive archive is made possible through grants, donations, and the commitment to preserving local history for future generations.

Fonda and Newell Public Libraries photo 1

Partner Story

Historical Books

  • Pocahontas County Historic Book (1901-1901)

About the Library

About The Newell Public Library

The Newell Public Library, built in 1982, is dedicated to C.J. Hunter, a lifetime resident of the Newell area, and to all others who contributed to its realization. It also honors the memory of Horace Sidney Hunter, a Civil War veteran and Newell area pioneer. The library serves as a vital community hub, providing access to a wide range of informational resources, promoting literacy, and supporting lifelong learning for all residents.

Library History

The History Of The Newell Public Library

The Newell Public Library has been a cornerstone of the community since its establishment. The current building was completed in 1982 and has since been dedicated to C.J. Hunter and Horace Sidney Hunter, reflecting the town's deep appreciation for its local history and the individuals who have shaped it. Over the years, the library has expanded its collections and services to meet the evolving needs of the community, ensuring free and open access to information for everyone.

About the Library

About The Fonda Public Library

The Fonda Public Library has been a critical resource for the community since its founding. It serves the residents of Fonda and surrounding areas by providing access to books, digital resources, and various programs that promote education and community engagement. The library continually adapts to the changing needs of its patrons, ensuring that everyone has access to the information and resources they need.

Library History

The History Of The Fonda Public Library

The Fonda Public Library has a rich history of serving its community. Established to provide access to educational resources and support lifelong learning, the library has grown and evolved over the years. It remains a central part of the community, reflecting the town's dedication to education and accessibility. The library's ongoing mission is to support the informational, educational, and recreational needs of the Fonda community.

About the Community

About The Newell and Fonda Areas

Newell, Iowa, is a charming town located in Buena Vista County. Known for its friendly community and rich agricultural heritage, Newell offers a peaceful rural lifestyle with a strong sense of community. The town is surrounded by picturesque farmland and is home to several historic sites and local businesses. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the serene environment and the various community events that take place throughout the year. Fonda, Iowa, is another quaint town in Pocahontas County, known for its warm community and vibrant local culture. The town features several parks, recreational facilities, and community events that bring residents together. Fonda's commitment to preserving its history and fostering a close-knit community is evident in its active participation in local traditions and celebrations.

Fonda and Newell Public Libraries photo 2

Local History

Did You Know?

Did you know that the Newell Public Library is dedicated to both a local Civil War veteran and a pioneer of the area? Horace Sidney Hunter, honored at the library, was a significant figure in Newell’s early history. Additionally, Newell is known for its annual celebrations and community events that bring together residents and visitors, highlighting the town’s rich cultural heritage. Did you know that Fonda, Iowa, hosts several annual events that celebrate its local heritage and bring the community together? The Fonda Public Library plays a crucial role in these events, offering resources and programs that enhance community engagement and learning.

Fonda and Newell Public Libraries photo 3

More ways to explore and share local history

Research Guidance

Trace a name across nearby issues

Start with something you would like to understand about the past of Newell: a person, a neighborhood, or an event remembered in your family or community. Follow that question through the newspaper titles shared by the Fonda and Newell Public Libraries to encounter reports from their own time. Consider how an individual story relates to the wider community and the period around it. Search a name with alternate spellings and dates around the event where the archive permits. Read the page around a match, then compare another issue or title if available; a repeated name is a lead to verify, not proof of identity.

If a name does not appear, try an alternate spelling or a related term, then read around any match. Note the issue date and page so a result stays connected to its context. Use those details to follow a story without treating one search result as a complete answer.

Build a trail through the past that someone else can follow: record the title, date, page or item reference, and a link when available. Keep historical quotations distinct from your own interpretation. If accounts disagree, note what each source supports before deciding how the details fit together in a family or community story.

Review collection titles

Community Partnership

Keeping local history a community resource

This community archive is made possible by the collaboration of the Fonda and Newell Public Libraries, 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
Read All About It

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.

Newest published articles

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.
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