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Community History Archives

Community History Archive Partner

Storm Lake Public Library

Storm Lake, Iowa

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

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32Titles

Explore publications and collections from the past.

1865 to 2022Dates represented

See individual titles for available dates.

642,824Archive pages

Historical pages reported for this collection.

Explore local history

Discover the people, places, and stories of Storm Lake, Iowa.

Explore the past of Storm Lake, Iowa through newspapers in the Storm Lake Public Library's digital archive. Its thirty-two titles include material from 1865 to 2022.

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

    Examples from Storm Lake Public Library’s collection include “Atlas of Buena Vista County” and “The Storm Lake Times”.

  • Free and open access

    No subscription or payment required.

  • A closer look

    An earlier generation comes into view through the stories its newspapers chose to report, placing familiar names and events within the concerns of their time.

Reporting from the time can reveal how people described the events, work and concerns of their day, placing a local story within the history unfolding around it. 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 thirty-two titles and 642,824 digitized pages, with material from 1865 to 2022. This collection is shared through Storm Lake Public Library's partnership with Advantage Archives. Some years or items may be missing between the dates shown.

Start with a detail you already know, then browse the titles below for another perspective on the people and places connected with this collection.

Atlas of Buena Vista County

536 pages in 1908

Buena Vista County GAR

686 pages in 1901

Buena Vista County Journal

224 pages in 1981

Buena Vista GAR

558 pages in 1901

News Letter

8 pages in 1953

Pilot Tribune

177,822 pages from 1986 to 2021

Pilot Tribune V2

24 pages in 1987

Roster of Iowa Soldiers War of Rebellion Vol 1

2,458 pages in 1865

Roster of Iowa Soldiers War of Rebellion Vol 2

2,420 pages in 1865

Roster of Iowa Soldiers War of Rebellion Vol 3

3,364 pages in 1865

Roster of Iowa Soldiers War of Rebellion Vol 4

3,600 pages in 1865

Roster of Iowa Soldiers War of Rebellion Vol 5

3,590 pages in 1865

Roster of Iowa Soldiers War of Rebellion Vol 6

2,322 pages in 1865

Storm Lake Buena Vista County Democrat

198 pages from 1882 to 1883

Storm Lake Buena Vista County Herald And The Linn Grove News

686 pages from 1935 to 1936

Storm Lake Buena Vista Evening Sun

8 pages in 1879

Storm Lake Buena Vista Sentinel

2 pages in 1879

Storm Lake Buena Vista Vidette

15,424 pages from 1885 to 1917

Storm Lake Chautauqua Souvernir Program

16 pages in 1905

Storm Lake Daily Sentinel

20 pages in 1879

Storm Lake Pilot

14,530 pages from 1870 to 1896

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune

168,274 pages from 1896 to 2017

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune V2

64 pages from 1922 to 1979

Storm Lake Register

89,982 pages from 1917 to 1987

Storm Lake Register V2

142 pages in 1923

Storm Lake Register V3

52 pages in 1923

Storm Lake Register V4

36 pages in 1923

Storm Lake Reporter

12 pages in 1881

Storm Lake Times

128,768 pages from 1993 to 2016

Storm Lake Times Pilot

2,988 pages in 2022

Storm Lake Tribune

948 pages from 1895 to 1896

The Storm Lake Times

23,062 pages from 2012 to 2022

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About the Archive

About The Storm Lake Public Library’s History Archives

The Storm Lake 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 Storm Lake and Buena Vista County. The archives include a variety of local newspapers and historical documents, 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.

Storm Lake Public Library photo 1

About the Library

About The Storm Lake Public Library

The Storm Lake Public Library is dedicated to serving the community as a vital resource for leisure, knowledge, and lifelong learning. Established in the early 20th century, the library has grown and adapted to meet the diverse needs of its patrons. Library programs and services are provided equitably in an atmosphere that is friendly, responsive, comfortable, and accessible. The Storm Lake Public Library champions every person’s right to information and resources, ensuring that all members of the community have access to the materials and programs they need.

Partner Story

The History Of Storm Lake

Storm Lake, located in Buena Vista County, Iowa, has a rich history that dates back to its founding in the mid-19th century. Named after the nearby Storm Lake, the city has grown from a small settlement into a thriving community known for its vibrant culture and beautiful landscapes. The town has faced various challenges and changes over the years, including the development of local industries, the establishment of educational institutions, and the growth of its population. The Storm Lake Public Library plays a crucial role in preserving this heritage, ensuring that the stories and experiences of Storm Lake residents are accessible to future generations.

About the Community

About The Storm Lake Area

Storm Lake, the county seat of Buena Vista County, is a dynamic city known for its picturesque lake and diverse community. The area offers a blend of natural beauty and modern amenities, making it an attractive place to live and visit. Storm Lake hosts various cultural and recreational events throughout the year, reflecting its vibrant and inclusive nature. The Storm Lake 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

Check a text match against the page

A family name, a familiar street or a story passed down through generations can lead to a closer look at the history of Storm Lake. The digital archive shared by the Storm Lake Public Library offers a place to begin. 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. If a search result looks incomplete or misspelled, inspect the scanned page when available. Record the issue date and page, then distinguish the printed wording from search text before following the story to another mention.

If a text match looks incomplete, compare it with the scanned newspaper page when available. Check whether wording or names differ, then record the page's printed wording with the issue date and page. Keep the search result distinct from what the page itself shows.

As you connect materials, note where each detail came from and what it can support. Record the title, date, and page or item reference where available. Keep names and relationships tentative until the evidence is strong enough to connect them, and mark which words come from the record and which are your interpretation.

Review collection titles

Community Partnership

Keeping local history a community resource

This community archive is made possible by the collaboration of the Storm Lake 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
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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