Services
Water and Sewer
The West Point Municipal Water System is managed and operated by the West Point Municipal Utility and performs distribution to consumers of water purchased from the Rathbun Rural Water Association. The exact age of the system is unknown, but is probably about 75 years old. The system is generally in good condition as a number of the distribution lines have been replaced with larger size plastic pipes in recent years. The system services about 450 connections. The West Point Sanitary Sewer System is an integral part of the city and is operated and maintained by city staff. The sanitary sewer system was originally completed in 1939 with various improvements being made thereafter. The latest improvement to the system was completed in 1996 and included expansion of the system, replacement of some existing lines with larger pipe and installation of a treatment lagoon at a combined cost of more than one million dollars. Additional improvements to the system were made during 2000 and 2001. Generally speaking the sewer system is in good condition and is well maintained by the city.
The city’s storm sewer system has been installed by the city over the years in conjunction with various curb and gutter work and the exact age is unknown. Generally speaking, the storm sewer system is thought to be in relatively good condition except for the segment along Avenue E, East of the City Square Park, which was installed years ago using culvert pipe and is now thought to be in deteriorating condition needing replacing in the future. The storm sewer system was extended and improved during the sanitary sewer improvement projects in 1996. Overall, the system operates satisfactorily, ridding the city of excess water in an efficient manner.
Solid Waste & Recycling
Five solid waste collectors serve the community of West Point on the basis of direct contract with the residents. The collectors currently licensed by the city include Richard Fraise, Floyd’s E-Z Way Container Service, Kohlmorgan Hauling, Waste Management of Iowa, and Whaley Waste Systems. The City is currently in the process of establishing the state mandated unit price basis for solid waste collection activities. All solid waste collected within West Point is required to be deposited at the Great River Regional Waste Authority (GRRWA) at Fort Madison. GRRWA is the regional landfill operating under a 28E agreement.
The GRRWA has a recycle collection trailer in West Point, which is sited at the City Shop on the 700 block of Avenue E and is serviced by City staff. Current materials accepted for recycling are cardboard, newspapers and magazines, plastics, tin, and clear glass bottles and jars. There is no charge for recycling.
Library, Museum, and Tourist Information Center
The West Point Library is located on the southwest corner of the town square in West Point at 311 Avenue D. The Library serves the four communities of West Point, Houghton, St. Paul and Pilot Grove, including the contiguous rural areas in Lee County, Iowa. A full range of library services are provided to include free access to books, magazines, reference materials, genealogical materials, video's, CD's, DVD's, puzzles, audio tapes, cameras, and tape recorders. Refer questions on Library services to (319) 837-6315, or visit the Library at:
West Point Public Library
311 Avenue D
West Point, Iowa 52656
Hours of Operation
Mon & Wed (1-8pm), Tue & Thu (11am-6pm)
Fri (1-6pm), Sat (10am-3pm)
Holiday Closings. The Library is generally closed on Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and on New Year's Day.
Library Services include:
inter-library loan service
computer access
reference service
internet access
photo copying
faxing
scanning
laminating service
Library Programs include:
Story Time (October thru April)
* on the 1st & 4th Wednesday of the month beginning at 10am
* stories, games, songs and crafts designed for preschool age children
Summer Reading Program (June thru August)
* programs and reading incentives desinged for children of all ages
Adult Reading Program (September thru October)
* Book Discussion Group (monthly) and The Book Babes (discuss the pick of the month)
Children's Book Week (week before Thanksgiving)
* treats, gifts and contests designed for children of all ages
National Library Week (April)
* treats, gifts and contests designed for children of all ages
The West Point Museum
Is located on the southwest corner of the town square in West Point at 311 Avenue D was established in 1977 by the West Point Historical Society. Museum items include numerous 1800 to 1900 period furnishings and artifacts. An ever-expanding collection includes:
Women's bustle dresses, hats, high-top shoes, and rattan baby-buggy with umbrella (circa 1890)
Military uniforms with medals (WW1 [Army], WW11 [Army & Air Force], Korean War [Army])
Kleber family German bibles, wedding dress and pedal-organ (1850-1890)
Dr. Poepsels medical office furniture and equipment (1928-)
Ossenbrink apothecary cage and display cases (1917)
Link family rattan funeral casket (1920)
Ben Pieper Indian spear point collection (8000 BC through 500 AD)
West Point newspaper collection (issues beginning in 1878)
School photographs (St. Mary's 1903-1966 and Park Public School 1954-1980)
German hand scythe and farm tools (pre-1925)
Museum Tours & History. Guided tours, which include a brief history of museum artifacts, are provided by Historical Society members upon request. If you are visiting the West Point community and desire a guided tour, telephone (319) 837-6315 and leave a message for the Historical Society.
Historical Society
The West Point Bicentennial Commission, which included members of the Twentieth Century Study Club, was established on June 14, 1975. The purpose of the Commission was to guide the community n celebrating the United States Bicentennial year, ending on June 14, 1976. Sheaffer pens and bicentennial plates were sold, flags were presented to the area schools, a July 4th celebration was conducted in the city park, and members of the Commission, outfitted in Minute Men costume, participated in Lee County Fair events. Then on October 25, 1977, the Commission was disestablishment and the West Point Historical Society formed to continue the work of the Commission.
Accomplishments of the organization included:
Construction of bell monument in town square, noting location of county seat in West Point on 13 January, 1843,
Second publishing of the 1879 volume, The History of Lee County,
Opening the West Point Museum in 1977,
Publishing Memories, a pictorial history of West Point businesses and residences pre-circa 1900
Historical Society Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm in the West Point City Hall, located at 313 5th Street. For additional information on the Society or the Museum, telephone (319) 837-6315 and leave a message for the Society.
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