Aerial of St.Helena, 1974. This town of just over 100 was once a river-port. In 1869 it took the county seat from its neighboring town of St. James, only to lose it to Hartington in 1885 when that town was created in the center of Cedar County. The newspaper reported, "...there went the lawyers, the newspaper, many businesses and inhabitants..." but, this town not only survived, but continues to work together for improved roads, safe drinking water, and better recreational facilities for its community.