Researching at the Library
FDPL has a variety of resources available for individuals to use at the library. We have a microfilm reader/printer and microfilmed issues of the earliest Fort Dodge newspapers dating back to 1861, as well as issues of the Fort Dodge Messenger from 1872 to 2019. We also have plat maps, city directories, yearbooks from Fort Dodge Senior High and St. Edmond Catholic High School, and indexes of marriages, births, baptisms, and local cemeteries.
Information Requests
Reference staff will only search for an obituary, marriage, birth announcement, or other event if a specific date (month and year) is supplied. Staff members will research requests in the order they are received and as time permits. If you do not have a specific date or would like to receive this information more quickly, please contact one of the organizations listed below.
Webster County Genealogical Society
The Webster County Genealogical Society’s office is located in the Fort Dodge Public Library. They are open by appointment only. Society members will provide research services for a fee. Please direct any questions for the Genealogical Society to them using the information provided below.
Contact:
Webster County Genealogical Society424 Central Avenue, Room 134
Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501
Webster County Historical Society
The Webster County Historical Society’s office is located in the Fort Dodge Public Library. Their office hours are:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturdays by appointment only.
Please direct any questions for the Historical Society to them using the information provided below.
Contact:
Webster County Historical Society
P.O. Box 543
Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501
Karl L. King Municipal Band
The Karl King Band is Fort Dodge's municipal band. This ensemble provides a summer concert series in the Karl King Bandshell in beautiful Oleson Park and an indoor concert series held in the auditorium of Iowa Central Community College. These concerts are free to all, and are provided as a service by the City of Fort Dodge.
Karl L. King's distinguished career as a bandmaster, prolific composer and musician made him a legend in his own lifetime. Everyone has heard his Barnum and Bailey's Favorite which, along with the other 200 marches he composed, assured him the world-wide status of March King along with John Philip Sousa and Henry Fillmore.
Contact:
For questions concerning band business, performance schedules, etc. call:
T.H. Hoefing, Band Manager, 712-469-2094
Access to/viewing of archival and historical displays and materials is available by appointment only. For more information call:
Nancy R. Olson, 515-570-3008
Researching Online
Ancestry Library Edition
DPLA
Making millions of materials from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions across the country available to all in a one-stop discovery experience.
Fold3
HeritageQuest
Local Newspaper Digital Archives
Digital archives of newspapers from Fort Dodge and surrounding Webster county towns for the years 1856 to 1934. Years available depend on the newspaper.
Niche Academy
Tutorials, including short videos, show how to use many of our online resources. Also includes tutorials on computer, internet and social media basics, research essentials, job skills and resume writing, and CDC zombie preparedness information.
State Historical Society of Iowa
Numerous indexes, records, and publications from the State Historical Society of Iowa collections are available online. Through their partnerships, and with support from the State Library of Iowa, you can access digitized maps, publications, newspapers, vital records, and much more.
