Galt, Wright County, Iowa  --- History

by Carl E. Thorson

The small town of Galt was platted as "Norwich" on January 4, 1881, by the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Falls, and Northwestern Land and Town Lot Company (an affiliate of the C. R., I. F., and  N. W. Railway, the tracks of which were spiked down through the infant hamlet in the autumn of 1880). Galt was incorporated as a town on January 6, 1913. As early as January 1882 the postal officials authorized a post office to be established in the tiny town with the stipulation that it be known as "Galtville". Three postmasters who operated the Galtville Post Office were R. B. Hanlin, Frank Hanlin, and J. H. Birdsall. In April 18, 1888, the U. S. Post Office Department changed the name of the post office to "Galt."

It was far more of a trading and commercial center 50 or 60 years ago than it is today. In the second decade of the present century, Galt had the following businesses: the Pascoe Mercantile Company's general merchandise store; the W. A. Pascoe and Son Store, a general merchandise establishment; the I. B. Sanders' Store, a general store; the Galt Drug Company (a small pharmaceutical store); the James Parsons Furniture Store; the Shull Brothers, dealers in lumber, coal, and cement; the P. A. Axen Grain Company's Elevator, dealers in grain, livestock, feeds, and seeds; Fred  Christianson's  Hardware Store; N. J. Poncin, harness-maker and dealer in harnesses; L. L. Broeffle's general blacksmith shop; F. L. Bernard's Meat Market; Grain elevator operated by the Burt Grain Company;  the  State Savings Bank of Galt; the Burt Brothers' automobile garage; C.· J. Howard's confectionery and toilet goods shop; H. G. Firkins' barber shop; the "Galt Hotel" - hotel and restaurant facilities;  and  the office of Dr. William Potter, physician and surgeon. (Dr.  Potter  was  the only resident physician, arriving in May 1893 and retiring in the 1950's.)

Even though Galt has always been a small town, in its heyday it was a busy one as a good farm trading center. It serves still as a residence for a few people and farmers have access to a feed and grain elevator. The County Maintenance Shop is located in Galt.

The Congregational Church first organized in Galt on December 3, 1883. Members built and occupied a fine new building in 1891. The church served all persons regardless of denomination as the only church in the community. Pastor Albert Kilbourne, the "Hitchhiking Preacher" from Eagle Grove ministered there for many years.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH -- GALT, IOWA