Iola, Texas
| Iola, Texas | |
|---|---|
| City | |
|
Old Cafe in Downtown | |
| Coordinates: 30°46′19″N 96°04′30″W / 30.77194°N 96.07500°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State |
 Texas |
| County | Grimes |
| Incorporated | 2007 |
| Population (2009) | |
| • Total | 430 |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| Area code(s) | 936 |
Iola is a city in Grimes County, Texas, United States on Farm Road 39 and the Burlington-Rock Island Railway, at the headwaters of Ragan Creek in northwest Grimes County. A July 1, 2009 U.S. Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 430.[1]
History
On November 6, 2007, it became the fifth incorporated city in Grimes County after a residential vote.[2]
IOLA, TEXAS. Iola, on Farm Road 39 and the Burlington-Rock Island Railway, at the headwaters of Ragan Creek in northwest Grimes County, is believed have been named for Edward Ariola, one of Stephen F. Austin's colonists who settled in the vicinity in 1836. In 1852 the community's first church, Zion Methodist, was constructed; the building also served as a schoolhouse. The settlement's first gristmill, Monroe's Gin, began operating during the 1860s. The post office opened in 1871 and, though discontinued the next year, was permanently reestablished in 1877. A Masonic Lodge was formed in 1876. By the 1880s the town had several churches, cotton gins, and gristmills. The population stood at 109 by 1890. Between 1906 and 1907 both the Trinity and Brazos Valley Railway and the Houston and Texas Central Railway extended lines through Iola, and a new townsite was laid out along the tracks near the T&BV depot. A tap line of the Texas and New Orleans Railroad connected Iola with Navasota. The coming of the railroad invigorated the community. A print shop was established, and a newspaper appeared, the Iola Enterprise, edited and published by Rev. A. J. Frick, pastor of Zion Methodist Church. In 1909 the Iola State Bank was organized. The population reached 300 in 1910, and by 1936 the town had an estimated 500 people and twelve businesses. After World War II the population declined somewhat to an estimated 300 in 1950. Since then it has remained virtually level. During the 1970s and 1980s several nearby oilfields opened. In 1990 Iola had a population estimated at 331 and twelve businesses. In 2000 the population remained the same, however, there were thirty-nine businesses.[3]
The Naming of IOLA
Iola is like many towns that are two (or more) people's names combined, like Dalhart, Mineola, Balmorhea, or Iraan. Except in this case, Edward Ariola evidently was one friend short of an amalgamation. He had his name shortened, and that was as far as it went. How embarrassing!
History in a Pecan Shell
Edward (he refused to shorten his first name) was one of Stephen F. Austin's original colonists in 1836. The town got a permanent post office in 1877, the railroad came through in '06 or '07 - they're not quite sure because there were two of them. Then a newspaper quickly followed and Iola was ready for something big to happen. Then in '09, the Iola State Bank opened, but the people were expecting something a little bigger than that.
Iola is a card carrying, dues paying member of the brotherhood of sister cities that are four letter words beginning in "I." Iola, Inez, and Iago, are the charter members while Iraan, Italy, and Ira are suing for inclusion under the "one letter isn't a crime" argument.
The population of Iola peaked at around 500 people in 1936. While Iola never made headlines or has become a household word, we ask if that's really important when all things are considered.
Iola is a tidy little community that's a little hard to find, but then again, it just might be what you've been looking for. [4]
Geography
Iola is located between Bryan and Huntsville.[5]
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2010 | 401 | — | |
| Est. 2014 | 408 | [6] | 1.7% |
Education
The Iola Independent School District has two campuses - Iola High School (Grades 7-12) and Iola Elementary School (Grades PK-6).
Notable Residents
NBA player Chris Andersen is from Iola and went to Iola High School.[8]
References
- ↑ "Table 4: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Texas, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2009" (CSV). United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2010-06-22. Retrieved 2010-06-24.
- ↑ "Iola Becomes Newest Brazos Valley City". KBTX. 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
- ↑ Grimes County Historical Commission, History of Grimes County, Land of Heritage and Progress (Dallas: Taylor, 1982). Fred Tarpley, 1001 Texas Place Names (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1980).
- ↑ http://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/Iola_Texas/iola_texas.htm
- ↑ Justice, Blair. (column "The Human Side of Science") Houston Post. Sunday May 2, 1965. Perspective Page 5. Available via microfilm from the Houston Public Library Central Library Jesse H. Jones Building.
- ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ↑ Chris Andersen Biography on NBA.com
- Iola, Texas on Texas State Historical Association
External links
- Iola, TX – Texas Handbook Online.
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Iola, Texas
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Coordinates: 30°46′19″N 96°04′30″W / 30.77194°N 96.07500°W