Longford was established around 1870 when it was nicknamed The City of Plains. It grew in early years at Civil War veterans flocked to the area, then became established five years after President Johnson signed the battle-ending Proclamation.
The area’s first Post Office was named New Grant, opening in 1872, however, it was short-lived. Another Post Office was opened in 1875, this time with the name of Longford, which came from a county in Ireland.
By 1887 population to the area was rising steadily, thanks to the railroad.
In 1899, the town established the Longford Evangelical Church Mission. A separate building was completed in 1900, which was dedicated by Bishop R. Dubs. At the time, the bishop’s salary was $115 per year and the church had 68 members. ($4,300 in 2025.) In 1902, they built a parsonage next door for $800. ($30,000)
In 1915, the Women’s Missionary Society was founded with 17 members. It remained active, eventually morphing into United Methodist Women. Meanwhile, the children’s program was called Little Hearolds [sic].
Having outgrown the building, the church was razed in 1922. A new building was put up with a basement with classrooms and a better heating system.
Around the church’s 50th anniversary, the congregation decided to rebuild, having reached more than 200 members.
By 1956, they had joined with the local United Methodist congregation, Bethel, creating the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
In 1958, they built a brick church with $42,000 worth of materials and donated labor. (Just over $467,000) In 1960, a neighboring house was purchased as the parsonage for $8,500, and a two-car garage was added in 1987. (Around $92,300)
As of 1985, there were 142 active church members. Through 1990, the church had 23 pastors serve the locations.
In 1900, the town’s first school was built. The one-room school only housed primary students and ran after Labor Day through April. By 1910, residents were looking for higher education, leading to two years of high school courses, which were taught on the second floor of City Hall.
Above: The Longford Train Station.
The Evangelical Church that was erected in 1900 (above left). The brick veneer church, which still stands today, was built in 1958 with donated labor costs.
