The Linden Collection

Some time ago Norman Linden, formerly of Odebolt, contacted me to see if  I would like images of postcards he had collected over the years of Odebolt and of the Adams Ranch.  Of course I said yes!

So Norman scanned all the postcards and transferred them to me.  Due to problems the web host for the Odebolt History Pages was having, I was unable to access or edit it for some time and I apologize to Norman for the long delay.  However, here they are, finally, and we hope you enjoy them.  Thank you Norman for sharing this wonderful peek into the past.

Please allow time for the large images to load.
Postcards of Odebolt
Postcards of Fairview Farm (Adams Ranch)

See more historic photos at the Odebolt History Pages Photo Gallery.

Mule article about Adams Ranch

“The Mule Solution: Farming with Mules”, from Farm Collector Magazine

The article shares how mules were a very important part of the Adams Ranch’s daily operation. The museum has a copy of the magazine.  Click here if you would like to read it on-line.

Fairview Farm - Adams Ranch photos

The Odebolt History Pages have received permission from the Mennonite Church USA Archives to share photos and information from WWI Mennonite conscientious objectors who worked on Fairview Farm / Adams Ranch.  There were 47 COs there from all over the USA. They came to the ranch from the 163rd Depot Brigade, Camp Dodge, Iowa on August 20, 1918.

We thank the Mennonite Church Archives for their willingness to share these photos, as many have not been seen before.

Click on the below link to access the photos .pdf document.  It is large - about 4.5MB - so allow time for it to load.

Mennonite CO Photos 

Adams Ranch article

Below is an article submitted by former Odebolt resident, Mike Peterson, to the Antique Power magazine and published in their May/June 2013 issue. It shows views of tractors from different years that were used on the former Fairview Farm just south of Odebolt, more commonly known as "Adams Ranch".  The article is published here with permission from Antique Power. 

Click here to read the article (.pdf)

Adams Ranch featured in magazine

The Fairview Farm once located near Odebolt, more commonly known as "Adams Ranch" is featured in the Autumn 2012 issue of The Draft Horse Journal.

The six-page article "Mega Farming With Mules; Remembering the Adams Ranch," was written by Don Vosburg using photos and information from "The Odebolt History Pages", articles from The Odebolt Chronicle and other papers, and interviews with people who once worked on the ranch.  Roger Rector, (now editor of the Ida County Courier) who grew up on the Adams Ranch, is quoted several times about his memories of the farm.  Vosburg's focus is on farming with mules, but much of the history of the Adams family and the ranch is included in this interesting article.

In return for the use of material & photos from "The Odebolt History Pages" I have received copies of the magazine which I will deliver to the Odebolt History Museum and the Odebolt Library the next time I am in Odebolt.

Information and photos of the ranch can also be accessed at the Odebolt History Pages.

 - Barb Girvan Horak, editor