Whittemore, Iowa
Whittemore, Iowa is a small town located in Kossuth County in the north-central region of the state. The town is situated approximately 20 miles west of Algona, Iowa and around 120 miles north of Des Moines, the state capital. Whittemore covers an area of around 0.67 square miles and has a population of roughly 420 people as reported by the 2016 Census.
The geography of Whittemore is predominantly flat with some gentle rolling hills to the east. The majority of the land is used for agricultural purposes with corn and soybean being among the main crops grown in this region. To the south lies a small lake known as Lake Cora which provides recreational opportunities for locals such as fishing, swimming, and boating.
The climate in Whittemore is typical of North Central Iowa with hot summers and cold winters. Average summer temperatures range from 75-90°F while winter temperatures typically dip to below 0°F although snowfall can vary greatly from year to year. Rainfall usually averages around 30 inches annually with most precipitation occurring during spring and summer months when thunderstorms are common occurrences throughout the area.
Whittemore has two main roads running through it: State Highway 9 which runs east-west through town connecting it to nearby cities; and County Road B35 which runs north-south connecting it to other towns further south such as Algona or Burt, Iowa. There are also several smaller roads that branch off from these two highways that meander through residential areas or farmland providing access to many rural homes throughout Kossuth County.
Overall, Whittemore is a quiet rural community surrounded by farmland with nearby lakes providing recreational activities for locals during their free time. The town offers residents a peaceful atmosphere away from large cities while still being close enough to enjoy all that North Central Iowa has to offer including its beautiful landscapes, friendly local communities, and diverse outdoor activities like fishing, camping, hunting, hiking, biking or simply exploring nature at its finest.
History of Whittemore, Iowa
Whittemore, Iowa is a small town with a population of roughly 420 people located 120 miles north of Des Moines, the state capital. Situated in Kossuth County, the town covers an area of around 0.67 square miles and was established in 1881 when John Whittemore purchased land in the area to build a railroad station. The station was completed in 1882 and soon after, settlers began to move to the area attracted by the promise of free land and economic opportunities.
In 1884, Whittemore incorporated as a city and soon after it became home to several businesses including two general stores, a lumber yard, an opera house, two hotels, and two newspapers. During this time period mining also became an important part of the town’s economy as coal was discovered nearby and shipped out via railroads.
The 20th century saw Whittemore continue to grow steadily as more people moved into the area looking for jobs or simply looking for a quiet place to call home. By 1950, the population had grown to 586 people and by 1960 it had reached 651 people. However, this growth slowed significantly over the next few decades as many young people moved away from rural areas in search of better opportunities elsewhere.
Today, Whittemore remains a small but vibrant community despite its declining population numbers over recent years due largely to its strong sense of community spirit that has existed since its founding days. The town continues to be supported by agriculture with corn and soybean being among the main crops grown in this region while Lake Cora provides local residents with recreational activities such as fishing, swimming or boating during their free time.
Whittemore is also home to several historic landmarks including St Paul’s Catholic Church which was built in 1895; St Michael’s Lutheran Church built in 1902; and two old cemeteries that were created shortly after settlement began in 1881 when John Whittemore donated land for this purpose. All these landmarks provide visitors with fascinating insight into what life was like during early settlement times while also reminding locals of how far their small town has come over the past century and a half since its founding days back in 1881.
Economy of Whittemore, Iowa
The economy of Whittemore, Iowa is mainly driven by agriculture and small businesses. Agriculture has been a mainstay in the area for many years, with corn and soybeans being among the most widely-grown crops. Dairy farming is also popular in the area, with some farms producing high-quality milk for sale in local stores. In addition to these traditional forms of agriculture, there are also several modern farms that employ advanced technology to increase yields and efficiency. The town also benefits from its proximity to Lake Cora which provides recreational activities such as fishing, swimming or boating during their free time.
Small business makes up a significant part of the economy of Whittemore as well. There are two general stores, a lumber yard, an opera house, two hotels and two newspapers located in town that provide goods and services to locals and visitors alike. In addition to these businesses there are also several restaurants serving traditional American comfort food as well as more eclectic fare. There are also several small manufacturing companies located in town that produce a variety of products including furniture and textiles.
Tourism is another important part of the local economy due to Whittemore’s historic landmarks such as St Paul’s Catholic Church built in 1895; St Michael’s Lutheran Church built in 1902; and two old cemeteries that were created shortly after settlement began in 1881 when John Whittemore donated land for this purpose. These sites attract visitors from all over the region who come to explore the history of this small but vibrant community.
Whittemore is also home to a variety of services that support its citizens including health care facilities such as a hospital and several clinics; educational institutions such as an elementary school; recreational facilities like parks; cultural events like music festivals; libraries; banks; post offices; fire departments; police departments; churches and other places of worship. These services provide essential support for locals while also helping boost local economic activity through job creation, spending on goods/services by customers etc.
Overall, Whittemore’s economy is made up primarily of agriculture, small businesses and tourism which have all helped contribute to this quaint little town’s growth over the past century since its founding days back in 1881.
Politics in Whittemore, Iowa
Whittemore, Iowa is a small rural town located in the northern part of the state. Despite its small size, politics are an important part of life in this community. The citizens of Whittemore are passionate about their beliefs and take part in local and national elections to ensure their voices are heard.
At the local level, Whittemore is governed by a city council consisting of five members who serve four-year terms. The mayor is elected every two years and serves as the town’s chief executive officer. The council enacts ordinances that regulate public health, safety, and welfare within the city limits. They also pass resolutions that address issues such as zoning and land use.
The citizens of Whittemore lean towards conservative values when it comes to politics. Most residents identify as Republicans and many are active members of the Republican Party at both the local and national levels. The town has a long history of supporting Republican candidates for office in both state and federal elections.
At the state level, Whittemore votes heavily for Republican candidates in most elections. This includes candidates for governor, state senate, state house and other offices elected statewide. The town also tends to support conservative policies such as those related to gun rights, abortion access or religious beliefs when voting on ballot initiatives or referendums at the state level as well.
When it comes to national politics, most residents of Whittemore vote for Republicans in presidential elections as well as for congressional representatives from Iowa’s 4th district which includes this community among several others in northern Iowa. However, there is some diversity among party lines with some residents choosing to support Democratic candidates over Republican ones depending on specific issues they care about such as healthcare reform or environmental protection policies among others.
Overall, politics play an important role in Whittemore with citizens taking part actively in local and national elections to ensure their voices are heard on important issues that affect them directly or indirectly every day.
