The recent launch of fortdodgehistory.com by the Fort Dodge Community Foundation is a way to connect current local residents and former Fort Dodgers from around the globe to the sites, stories and personalities of yesteryear.

“This idea is at least a couple of years in the making,” said Randy Kuhlman, CEO of the Fort Dodge Community Foundation. “We’ve always thought it would be neat to develop a website dedicated to the people, buildings, businesses and traditions of our past. So we started doing the research, using archives from The Messenger, information from the (Webster County) Historical Society, and talking with our ‘go-to’ resources in town when it comes to local history: Roger Natte and Al Nelson. It’s been a collaborative effort.

“It’s going to be a work in progress for a while, of course. We’re just getting started, relatively speaking. And we want the page to be as much about our culture and nostalgia here as it is about the history itself.”

Kuhlman has teamed with Fort Dodge Community Foundation Program Coordinator Amy Bruno and Operations Manager Joe Kuhlman to work on both launching and crafting the site, which includes tabs for historical eras, iconic people, buildings, places, events, churches, industry, education, healthcare and sports. There is also a photo gallery, which includes pictures and descriptions from the same categories.

When then-Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Mary Cownie toured Fort Dodge a few years ago, the conversation centered around just how many unique landmarks the community had to offer. Organizing and displaying the information online started to make perfect sense.

“Mary was invited here by (former Iowa senator) Daryl Beall, and we made all the stops: the Blanden (Memorial Art Museum), the (Ringland) Smeltzer House, the Karl King Band Room, the (Webster County) Historical Museum, and a number of others,” Kuhlman said. “It turned into a full-day discussion about our robust history, and it really got us thinking. That got the ball rolling in this direction.

“This is really going to bring back a lot of memories for people, whether it’s through iconic people, or businesses, or buildings, or just moments in general. We have a lot of information up (on the site) through 1940 so far, but we have a lot more to add. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been fun. We’re hoping people from all over who have either direct or indirect ties to Fort Dodge will enjoy it.”

Kuhlman added that the website is committed to accuracy, but “we are always learning new things from the stories and record books about Fort Dodge to advance (the facts).”

“We’ve done a lot of research, but appreciate any feedback we receive,” Kuhlman said. “Suggestions, ideas and additions are welcome.”

The website states, “the information included in the bios and articles on this website has been garnered from numerous credible sources that we have used to accumulate and compile the information. Because this information is gleaned from different sources, we cannot attest to complete accuracy, but based on the credibility of our sources, we believe the information is truthful or very close to being accurate.

“Historical research is not an exact science, and the accuracy of information on historical people and events can vary at times. This can occur because many of the accounts of history on people, places, and events is passed down from generation to generation based on people’s memories and personal perspectives. This information is usually transferred by oral or written communication, or in some cases, it is recorded in government records and newspaper articles. Sometimes historical information can create differences of opinion regarding certain facts and dates dealing with specific subject matter. For people that want to dig deeper into the subject matter presented on this website, we encourage them to do more extensive research.”

The Fort Dodge Community Foundation is a 501-C-3 public charity.

For more information, or to submit historical items for consideration, contact Kuhlman at (515) 573-3171, or email fortdodgehistory@fd-foundation.org.