Fort Dodge Community Foundation

09/04/2026

Fort Dodge History
The Leon Vincent Home
1024 3rd Ave South

The large brick residence at 1024 3rd Ave. S.—known in earlier years as the Leon Vincent home—was built by a pioneer Iowan who was a civil engineer, railroad builder and gypsum industrialist. The house dates back to 1896 when it was erected and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Leon Vincent.

The house, of exterior brick construction, now has three rooms and bath on the first floor, four rooms and two baths on the second floor, two bedrooms on the completely finished third floor and a large finished basement area. Please click here to read more: https://www.fortdodgehistory.com/iconic-buildings

09/03/2026

🍂September is Library Card Sign Up Month! Adults can sign up as NEW library card user during the month of September and be entered into a drawing for a prize!
📖Your library has so much to offer!

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

🍎 SAVE THE DATE: Apple Fest at The Community Orchard 🎃

Join us at The Community Orchard from 10:00-4:00 for fun-filled weekends celebrating fall, family, and all things apples! Bring the whole family and enjoy multiple days packed with activities, great food, shopping, music, and plenty of fall fun.

🍎 Wagon Rides – Hop aboard and enjoy a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch and corn maze!

🎃 Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze – Make some fall memories as you explore the pumpkin patch and take on the corn maze.

🍽️ Lunch Served 11 AM–2 PM – Stop in for a delicious lunch and refuel for all the fun.

🛝 Back 40 Playground – Let the kids burn off some energy and enjoy our fun-filled playground.

🛍️ Shop the Apple Attic Boutique – Browse the Apple Attic Boutique for unique finds, gifts, and seasonal treasures.

🚗 Classic Car & Truck Show – Saturdays – Come check out a fantastic lineup of classic cars and trucks!

🎶 Live Music – Saturdays 11 AM -2 PM – Enjoy live music while you soak up the beautiful fall atmosphere.

📸 Fall Photographer - get your fall family photos taken by Blessed Moments Photography

🛍️ Vendor Event – Sundays – Shop local and discover a variety of vendors and unique products.

Whether you're looking for family fun, fall adventures, delicious food, shopping, or just a relaxing autumn day at the orchard, Apple Fest at The Community Orchard is the perfect place to celebrate the season!

🍎 Bring your family, bring your friends, and come enjoy the weekends of fall fun at The Community Orchard! 🍂

08/28/2026

Fort Dodge History
The Roberts Home
919 3rd Ave S.
1888

Another of the landmark homes along Third Avenue South is the Roberts home, 919 3rd Ave. S., which housed publishers and editors of The Messenger for many years. Built by George E. Roberts in 1888, the house is a three-story frame structure with large porches that extend along the north, east and south sides.

Occupying an impressive location at the southwest corner of Third Avenue South and Tenth Street, the house has an expansive yard extending southward from the avenue for a considerable distance. Large trees also surround the home. Please click here to read more:

Fort Dodge, Iowa Iconic Buildings

08/21/2026

Fort Dodge History:
The Snell Building
1915

805 Central Ave.
Built in 1915, the Snell Building was seven stories tall and Fort Dodge’s first “skyscraper.”

Richard Snell, from Clinton Illinois, was the original owner of both the Snell Building and the Boston Centre, both located at 805 and 805 and 809 Central Avenue in downtown Fort Dodge. He received the land on which both buildings are located from his father, Thomas Snell, who owned it when it was originally platted in 1856.

Although the two buildings differed in size, appearance and function, they were both part of the same investment project for Snell. Both buildings were constructed at the same time, however the building for the Boston Store was completed first and had its formal opening in September of 1914, while the Snell Building was completed in January of 1915. Please click here to read more: https://www.fortdodgehistory.com/iconic-buildings

08/19/2026

🧀 Calling all charcuterie lovers! Honey & Olive Charcuterie will be at the library for a charcuterie workshop on Saturday, September 12th @ 10:00 a.m.! Learn to create the perfect board & take yours home! Register online: https://www.fortdodgelibrary.org/event/charcuterie-workshop-6599 or call Pascale at 515-573-8167 ext. 6233 for help. Limited spots available! Registration ends September 10th at noon. 🧀

08/19/2026

🎒New pencils, new backpack, new stories, new routines. Start the school year strong with Hoopla!✏️ https://www.hoopladigital.com/collection/220287