daily runs from Story City to Marshalltown. Many will remember the old gentlemen who pushed the two-wheel pushcart hauling mail back and forth between the post office and the depot.
Roland remained on this route until the passenger service and mail car was discontinued. Star Route service by highway transportation was inaugurated to carry mail to the same towns formerly served by rail. In 1965 the Star Route service to Roland was changed to the present route from Des Moines to Bradford.
As the community prospered, more services were desired, and on May 1, 1902, rural delivery was inaugurated with Tornelius Hegland appointed as the first rural mail carrier for RFD #1. Tollef T. Thompson, who served from May 1, 1902 to November 30, 1915, was the only carrier assigned to RFD #2. This route was discontinued on November 30, 1915. Mr. Thompson was then assigned as carrier for RFD #1 and continued to serve as rural carrier until October 14, 1930.
The public use of mail service increased rapidly, and in 1913 parcel post service was inaugurated nationwide. Postal receipts grew as Roland prospered and, in 1953, the post office changed from a 3rd class to a 2nd class post office.
The post office, established May 4, 1870, has been served by the following postmasters: Jonas Duea, Joseph R. Johnson, John J. Stokka, Halvor E. Myrah, Osmond O. Stole, Oscar M. Grove (Acting), Sylvia E. Thompson, Arthur M. Michaelson, Carrie M. Skromme (later Carrie M. Fatland), Lynn J. Danielson (Acting), and presently Marvin E. Nelson.
The rural carriers who have served are: Tornelius Hegland, Edward B. Ericson, Bert Ericson, John J. Stokka, Tollef Thompson, Edward K. Thompson, John P. Kinsall, Clayton E. Webb, Charles A. Fry, Richard E. Christian, Jake E. Mein, Olive R. Borwick, Arthur B. Shold, and presently Rex Corsbie.
Serving as mail clerks since 1920 have been: Berthine Holland, Olga Sheldahi, Leslie Thompson, Gladys Hanson, Inger Thompson, Mildred Ericson, Boyd Michaelson, Jeffrey Michaelson, Herbert Christian, Thordis Christian, Sylvia D. Hoversten, Doretta E. Johnson, and presently Richard E. Christian.
As early as 1862 a school district was organized in the community, and a building was erected on the corner of Main and South streets, where the present Standard Oil Station is located, then a part of the farm of Jacob Erickson sr. This continued to serve the community until 1871 when the school districts of the township were rearranged. The school house was moved one mile east of town and another was built one mile west of town. That arrangement continued until the winter of 1882-83 when a primary class was organized and accommodated in a room of a business building on the east side of Main street.
By 1885, Roland had become quite a village, and the community saw the need of organizing an independent school district, as the former school could not accommodate all the pupils, and that summer a school was erected
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