Archive Overview

The Urbandale Historical Society, in partnership with Advantage Archives, has made its local newspaper history freely accessible through a digital archive at urbandalehs.historyarchives.online. This collection focuses exclusively on digitized newspapers, preserving printed records of community life, civic developments, and local voices. With issues dating back decades, these newspapers serve as a vital lens into Urbandale’s transformation from a quiet coal mining and streetcar town to one of Iowa’s most dynamic suburbs.

Institutional History

Founded in 1976, the Urbandale Historical Society was created to preserve and share the stories of the city’s past. The Society is headquartered at the Olmsted-Urban House, a 1904 farmhouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to curating physical artifacts and hosting educational programs, the Society’s partnership with Advantage Archives ensures that historical newspapers—often fragile and difficult to access—are now preserved and searchable for future generations.

Community Context: Urbandale, Iowa

Located in Polk and Dallas counties, Urbandale was incorporated in 1917. It began as a streetcar suburb of Des Moines and played a role in the state’s coal mining industry. The town originally grew around the “Urbandale Line,” a key streetcar route, and later evolved into a vibrant residential and commercial center. Despite rapid growth, Urbandale continues to value its heritage, with efforts like the digital archive supporting that cultural continuity.

Interesting & Unique Facts

• The Olmsted-Urban House not only serves as the Society’s headquarters, but also as a preserved example of early 20th-century architecture and life in Urbandale.
• Urbandale’s newspapers provide rare insight into the community’s shift from a mining economy to suburban development, including first-hand accounts of local milestones, family histories, and civic progress.
• The archive ensures that these materials, once buried in boxes or microfilm, are now available with a simple search, helping connect today’s residents with the stories of their past.

Conclusion

At Advantage Archives, we proudly partner with more than 1,100 institutions to provide free digital access to local history, helping communities like Urbandale preserve their stories for generations to come. If your organization is ready to bring its history into the digital age, we encourage you to email or call us—we’re here to help.

Not ready to make the first move? Read more about our partnerships and how they were able to provide free access to their history.👇

More Partners Under The Spotlight

The Newark Public Library

The National Czech & Slovak Museum

William Penn University