Ely History, by Thomas Pingel

First Presbyterian Church near Ely is celebrating their Sesquicentennial in 2008
 with many events planned for their 150th anniversary year.  See their website for
 information.

St. John's Lutheran Church, Ely - history

St. Peter & Paul's Catholic Church - history

F.J Krob & Company - History of the company in Ely

Rural Bohemian Bands of Southern Linn and Northern Johnson Counties, 1910-1960, by Peter A. Drahozal

National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Lisbon History Center, Lisbon, IA
Also covers Franklin Township in Linn County

Genealogical Society of Linn County, Iowa

US GenNet, Linn County, Iowa

Iowa GenWeb, Linn County, Iowa

State Historical Society of Iowa

Drawing of Western College, founded in 1856; scanned from "A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa", 1875.  Although the college is gone, "Western" remains as an unincorporated town west of Ely.