Facts About Laurens
- The town was named in honor of Henry and John Laurens, father and son. Henry was a member from South Carolina of the first Provincial Congress in 1775, and President of the Continental Congress from 1777-1778. John was an aide to Washington in all his battles, during the Revolution, and was killed in its.
- In 1888, there was a blizzard that killed 300 people throughout the Northwest.
- In 1898, a disastrous fire broke out across Main Street in the business portion. The loss was estimated at $60,000 which is $1.7 million in 2019.
- In the early 1900s, Andrew Carnegie, a wealthy industrialist, helped to fund libraries in communities throughout the country. Laurens was the smallest town to receive a grant.
Pocahontas County Historical Society Museum
The Pocahontas County Historical Society Museum, located in the city park on N. 3rd Street in Laurens, Iowa, opened its doors to the public in 1977. We are housed in the former Carnegie Library building which is on the National Registry of Historic Places. At the turn of the century, Andrew Carnegie, a wealthy industrialist, helped to fund libraries in communities throughout the country. Laurens was the smallest town to receive such a grant.
The Pocahontas County Historical Society works with local communities, residents, libraries, schools, businesses and other non-profits as a source of historical resources related to the area. We provide many types of learning opportunities for people of all ages.
