Roland Historical Society

06/18/2026

Ames In-Cross Presentation by Brian Anderson on June 7, 2026

06/17/2026

This is a test

06/16/2026

This Month in Roland History (June 15, 1856) – 170 Years Ago

On June 15th, 1856, a group of 17 families, two single men and one single woman arrived at a campsite one mile east and one mile south of today’s Story City. They were the first large group of Norwegian immigrant settlers to arrive in what would become Howard and Lafayette Townships.

After immigrating to the United States in the late 1840’s, many members of the group first settled in LaSalle and Kendall counties in Illinois. This region, known as the Fox River Settlement, was home to the oldest Norwegian immigrant community in the country, established in 1834. As local land prices rose, many later arrivals could not afford to buy property, so they worked and saved in hopes of eventually owning land. In 1854 and 1855, scouting parties from the settlement traveled to Iowa in search of government land. The 1854 group purchased land in southern Story County near present-day Cambridge. The 1855 group explored northern Story County near present-day Roland and Story City, purchasing approximately 2,500 acres before returning to Illinois to prepare for their move west the following year. Virgin prairie land sold for about $1.25 an acre, while timber land cost $10 an acre.

The 1856 caravan left Lisbon, Illinois, in May and traveled about 300 miles west. Favorable weather helped the group make good progress. They likely crossed the Mississippi River by ferry, since the first bridge linking Illinois and Iowa opened in April 1856 and carried only trains. When they reached the Iowa River near Marengo, they stopped to rest on a Sunday. While camping there, Hans and Abella Twedt welcomed a baby girl. Tragedy also struck at the river when John Ness, one of the single men, drowned. His body was recovered the next day and buried nearby. After reaching their Story County destination, the settlers camped together for one final night before separating to claim their properties and begin establishing new homes. Many spent their first months living in wagons while building simple houses and farm structures before winter arrived.

Iowa gained statehood in 1846, but most early development was in the eastern third of the state. Central Iowa remained sparsely settled, with only a few farmsteads and small communities scattered across vast stretches of prairie. When the Howard Township settlers arrived in 1856, the only established towns in Story County were Nevada, founded in 1853, and Fairview, founded in 1855 and later renamed Story City. Both were small and offered limited services. The nearest railroad connection was in Marengo, about ninety miles east. Cambridge, near the southern Story County Norwegian settlement, was founded in 1856. Ames would not be established for another eight years, and Roland would not be formally named until 1870. Story County’s population was estimated at 214 in 1852 but had grown to 4,501 by 1860.

06/09/2026

Our thanks to those who attended last Sunday's Roland Historical Society Spring Presentation on the history of Roland based Ames In-Cross. We had a great crowd including several folks who had worked for AIC. Some shared entertaining stories and personal memories which always brings life to our town's colorful history. We also thank the family members of AIC founder Orris Osheim who graced us with their attendance and shared their memories. It was a great event!

06/01/2026

Roland’s Historic Houses - June 2026
110 South Linn Street - Anenson House
Built 1912

Oluf M. Anenson was born in 1873 in Kopervik, Norway. He immigrated to the United States in 1889 at the age of 16 arriving in New York by himself. Anenson settled in eastern Iowa near the small town of Norway. In January 1895 he married Rachel Ellingson. Ellingson was born in the U.S., but her parents had emigrated from Norway. In the 1890 U.S. Census, Oluf and Rachel are listed as living in Florence Township in Iowa’s Benton County. IA. The couple had one daughter.

In 1901 the Anensons purchased a 200-acre farm located two miles north of Roland. Besides farming, Anenson built a successful business buying livestock from area farmers and shipping them to the Chicago stockyard. He was one of Roland’s most active businessmen, buying and selling numerous properties, stores, and businesses at a rapid pace. Anenson owned numerous butcher shops on Roland’s Main Street, and he operated one of the first establishments that sold alcohol following the end of Prohibition. He also owned one of the first automobiles in Roland and traded for a new model every year.

In January 1909, the Anensons announced plans to build a new house on lots they owned on Roland’s South Linn Street. Construction began in early 1912 and by November the Anenson family moved into their new residence. The Anensons spared little expense including bringing in craftsmen from the Twin Cities to create the elaborate interior woodwork. In the November 14, 1912, edition, the Roland Record praised the addition to the community calling the Anenson house “by far the finest residence in Roland”. However, the Anenson’s time in their new house was not lengthy. In March 1919 the Anensons sold their Linn Street home to O.T. Molde.

In April 1919, Anenson was awarded the contract to build Roland’s first municipal sewer system despite having no experience in the engineering field. After buying the necessary equipment and hiring an experienced trenching team of Italian nationals, work on Roland’s system began in May and was complete by November 1919. Anenson later built early municipal sewage systems in Story City, Gilbert, Stanhope, Skokie, IL, and other communities.

05/31/2026

A reminder! Join us next Sunday (June 7th) for our presentation on the history of Ames In-Cross. Anyone living near Roland in the 1940's-1970's likely has memories of this groundbreaking Roland based company.

A light free will donation lunch will be served at 1PM with the presentation beginning at 1:30pm.

Location:
Bergen Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall
101 W Maple Street Roland, IA

Brought to you by the Roland Historical Society

05/26/2026

Roland Memorial Day 2026

05/15/2026

Please join the Roland Historical Society on Sunday, June 7th for our Spring Program. We will feature the story of Ames In-Cross, a company organized by locals that rose to prominence as a leader in developing egg-laying chicken hybrid varieties. The company became a leader in the industry bringing in visitors from across the country and the world. It also became a major driver of the local economy providing good jobs for Roland residents and positively impacting the community in many ways.

The event will be held in the Fellowship Hall of Bergen Lutheran Church (101 W. Maple St.) at 1PM on June 7th. The presentation will begin at 1:30PM. Come enjoy local history and good food with friends and family!

05/13/2026

This Month in Roland History (May 5th, 1976) – 50 Years Ago

Fifty years ago this month, Roland’s first firetruck returned after an eight-year absence. The Roland fire department was organized in January 1912 when twenty-one men volunteered to serve with S.J. Michaelson elected as chief. In early years, Roland’s fire department used two hose carts pulled to the fire location with hand pumps used to spray water to control fire.

In 1928, several Story County cities purchased motorized fire trucks, prompting Roland to consider a similar action. City leaders canvassed the community asking for donations to create a fire truck fund. Landowners outside city limits who donated at least $25 were promised fire protection for their rural properties. Rural property owners who did not donate would be charged $75 per visit. The Roland City Council agreed to provide a maximum of $2,000 toward the purchase in addition to funds provided by donors.

In February 1929, the city ordered a fire truck from the W.S. Nott Company of Minneapolis, MN. The model was a two-ton REO truck chassis with a Gold Bond motor, 152-inch wheelbase, four speeds forward, and hydraulic brakes. The truck had a 100-gallon booster water tank with 300 feet of 1-inch hose on two reels. A 500-gallon rotary pump was included to transfer water from source to hose. Ladders, pails, electrical lights, and a siren were also included. Final cost for the 1929 REO Speedwagon fire truck was $3,850.

The new fire truck became a popular attraction with Roland residents, and following the vehicle as it traveled on calls became a popular social event. The fire department provided repeated instructions via the newspaper on how people should act when the fire truck was traveling to a call. Drivers were reminded to keep their distance when following should an abrupt stop become necessary or a fireman fall off the truck.

As time passed newer truck models were added, and the REO became obsolete. In January 1968, the city council voted to sell the truck for $550 to a buyer from Eagle Grove, IA.

By the mid 1970’s, several members of the Roland fire department were interested in returning the truck to Roland. The truck’s owner agreed to sell it for $5,500. Twelve individuals took personal loans from the Roland State Bank to raise the funds needed. A Roland Farmers’ Co-op truck transported the REO from Pocahontas, IA to Roland where it was on display during the city’s 1976 U.S. Bicentennial celebration. Fund-raising covered a portion of the purchase; however, the twelve original borrowers paid some cost out of pocket.

In 1978 the REO Speedwagon was turned over to the Roland Historical Society and placed on display in a newly built garage on the city museum grounds. It remains on display today, a symbol of civic responsibility and community effort.

05/12/2026