Lester, IA

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The Burlington, Cedar Rapids, and Northern Railroad was built through this area in 1887 and the Sioux City and Northern Railroad, now the Santa Fe Great Northern, was built in 1889. It was evident that the area that these two railroads crossed would make a good town and a good shipping point. The City of Lester was platted by William and Mary Thomas on November 9, 1889. J.A. Hastings erected a building on the south side of the track and opened a general merchandise store. A post off was located in the general merchandise store and the town was named Hastings for several years Hastings was later changed to Lester after Lester B. Cleveland. Lester Cleveland was a 13-year-old boy who lived northwest of Lester and perished in the blizzard of January 12, 1888.

Along with the first resident, came the first churches. The Lester Methodist Church was established in 1890, the Apostolic Christian Church was built in 1892, and the Bethel Reformed Church was organized in 1916. These three churches are still very active and have recently constructed new facilities.