Big Creek Historical Society

09/04/2026

We missed it! Happy birthday!!

09/03/2026

What do an orphan train rider, a kidnapper, a missionary, a wealthy businessman, a wedding guest, a betrayed wife, a farmer and an immigrant recruiter have in common? Join us for our first Meet 'n' Eat lunch of the season tomorrow, Friday, September 4 at 11:30 AM to find out with special guest speaker Darcy Maulsby from Humanities Iowa! Lunch is free will donation and served at 11:30 AM with the program starting at Noon.

09/03/2026

What a summer we have had! Closed again because of the heat.

09/03/2026

The Tri-County Times is now available online! Find it at the Slater Historical Society website.

09/02/2026

What a year it has been. Below freezing in February. Above boiling June....July.....August.... September? But the North Side restoration is beautiful. Thank you City of Polk City.

09/02/2026

It all began with Camp Meetings in the timber near Big Creek. In 1845, the western half of the newly forming state of Iowa was opened to settlement. The Native Americans had just been removed in the months leading up to October 10th. That night, several families, including the Hopkins, Pierce and Grigsby families, rode across the Des Moines River and marked the land they intended to homestead.

This is a remarkable image of one of those early Camp Meetings in the Hopkins Timber. We know some of the names that were likely present for this photo, but only one individual is recognizable. Cornelius Grisgby, Sr. is the tall gentleman in front of the flag.

This begins a series of posts celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the Hopkins Grove United Methodist Church. We will celebrate this amazing milestone on September 27, 2026, from 2:00 pm - 6 pm at the church south of Madrid, Iowa. All are Welcome!

09/01/2026

Bob and Liz Schultz are leaving town and donated some things to the BCHS related to his many years of serving the community. "Inside Polk City" news magazine is one of the many projects he produced along with the staff pictured here.
Although short lived, it was a high quality publication. Many great ideas sprung up in Polk City before it was actually large enough town to actually support them and this was one of those great ideas.
I thought it was interesting to see the original copy for advertisers that supported the endeavor.

09/01/2026

Here's our schedule of activities for Homeschool Day on Friday. Do our family worksheet together and receive a special gift. Discount for advance tickets; free for members. LHF.org/event/fall-homeschool-day/

08/30/2026

Anyone know "Where's Floppy" now? We do!

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On August 30, 1984, Duane Ellett and Floppy appeared for the final time on the popular WHO-TV Des Moines program “The Floppy Show.” The duo, running from 1957 to 1987, debuted on the show “Pet Corner” before becoming a breakout success on their own show.

Ellett, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, attended Drake University. Initially interested in studying law, the author took a journalism class that led to a job with WHO Radio in 1947. Developing various entertainment skills, including ventriloquism, Ellett regularly appeared on both radio and television programming for WHO over the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Carved by Ellett from balsa wood, Floppy the high-voiced beagle awed Iowa children eager to boop his nose for good luck. One of several characters brought to life by Ellett’s ventriloquism, Floppy became well known for segments where he would answer riddles from participating children. Paired with vintage “Looney Tunes” and “Tom and Jerry” cartoon clips, the cast of Ellett’s puppets also performed short sketches. Off camera, Ellett also tirelessly worked to bring Floppy out to visit children. Known for doing over 200 personal appearances a year during the glory years of the show, memories of meeting Floppy reside in the minds of many Iowans of a certain age. Often asking, “Why did the man put the car in the oven?” hoping to get the answer, “Because he wanted a hot rod,” children never grew tired of Floppy getting the riddle wrong.

After the show ended in 1984, Ellett and Floppy continued to appear on other WHO programs until the performer died in 1987. Floppy lives on, currently in the collection of the State Historical Society of Iowa and recently on display in the State Historical Museum, at the Ankeny Area Historical Museum, and during a stint at the Iowa State Fair.

08/29/2026

Big Creek News August 1976. Don Burt's gold prowess is always a popular topic. But here he and Lois pass the trophy to Don's brother and wife. Don and Lois were Polk City postmasters many years. After Don's death Lois took over as the first female postmaster in Iowa. (Yes, postmaster remained her title.)