Glenwood, Iowa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Glenwood is a city in Mills County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,358 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mills County^GR6.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Demographics
4 Landmarks
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Glenwood is located at 41°2′44″N, 95°44′33″W (41.045581, -95.742371)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.7 km² (2.6 mi²). 6.7 km² (2.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.38% is water.

[edit] History

Located in a hollow of the loess hills along the banks of Keg Creek, Glenwood was originally founded by Mormons in the late 1840's as Coonsville. The town was the scene of anti-Mormon mob violence and was renamed Glenwood after the bulk of Mormons left for Utah. At the end of the Civil War, an Iowa Veteran's Orphans Home was located here where evangelist Billy Sunday spent time as a child. In the 1870's, the Orphan's Home became the Iowa Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children, later the Iowa Institution for Feeble-Minded Children, the Glenwood State Hospital-School, and now the Glenwood Resource Center.

In the late 19th Century, Glenwood was widely known as Iowa's center of apple production and had a large cannery with products sold under the brand-name "The Glenwood". During the mid-20th Century, the town became a meat-packing center and at one time was considered America's largest Kosher packing house with most of its product shipped to New York and the East Coast. Perhaps the most famous Glenwood natives were Beulah Botts, one of the many actresses who portrayed Aunt Jemima for promotional purposes, and historian Donald Jackson, whose 1942 fictional book "Archer Pilgrim" was based on his experiences growing up outside of town.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 5,358 people, 1,863 households, and 1,276 families residing in the city. The population density was 798.7/km² (2,067.7/mi²). There were 1,946 housing units at an average density of 290.1/km² (751.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.26% White, 0.62% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.47% of the population.

There were 1,863 households out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.09.

Population spread: 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,682, and the median income for a family was $46,555. Males had a median income of $29,918 versus $24,368 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,790. About 6.8% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Landmarks

The Girls Cottage at the Glenwood Resource Center was built in 1912. At present it is used for offices by the Glenwood Community School District.
The JV Hinchman Building at Sharp and Walnut was constructed in 1881-1882 by Hoosier druggist turned financier Joseph Hinchman.
The 1920 Glenwood State Bank building at 12 North Walnut was designed by Danish immigrant architect J. Chris Jensen of Council Bluffs and is notable locally for its Greek Revival archictecture and marble facade. For many years this was the location of Hamilton's Men's Clothes and is now home to Glenwood Land Surveying Services.
The First Christian Church at 305 1st Street was built in 1867 at a cost of $1,800. It has been a private residence for many years.
411 Sharp: Two story Italianate commercial building built in 1874 with prominent window hoods. Was the location of "Slix Pharmacy" and later became Keleher's. Present location of Keg Creek Boot & Saddle.
The Glenwood Public Library at 109 North Vine was one of the many libraries built with financial aid from Andrew Carnegie and was constructed in 1906. The library was expanded in 1982 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Hubbell home at 202 Locust was built in the early 20th century and remains interesting for its Queen Anne details, prominent dormer windows, and adjacent stable long since converted into a garage.
There was once a bridge over Keg Creek, located behind the soccer fields and basketball court, towards the park that was built by the Hypnotics. It was baller. Very baller.