Greenfield, Iowa

Greenfield, Iowa
—  City  —
Location of Greenfield, Iowa
Coordinates: 41°18′20″N 94°27′31″W
Country	United States
State	Iowa
County	Adair
Township	Greenfield
Area
• Total	1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2)
• Land	1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	1,371 ft (418 m)
Population (2000)
• Total	2,129
• Density	1,172.6/sq mi (452.8/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	50849
Area code(s)	641
FIPS code	19-32790
GNIS feature ID	0457121
Website	www.greenfieldiowa.com

Greenfield is the county seat of Adair County located south of I-80 on U.S. Highway 25. The population was 1,982 at the 2010 census. Greenfield is home to two entries on the National Register of Historic Places, the E. E. Warren Opera House listed in 1970 and the Adair County Courthouse listed in 1981.

There are several attractions in the Greenfield region, including the historic E.E. Warren Opera House, the Adair County Courthouse, the historic Hotel Greenfield, the birthplace farmstead of US Vice President Henry A. Wallace, Freedom Rock, Iowa Aviation Museum, the Adair County Heritage Museum, the Dennis and Marlene Schildberg Antique Car Collection, and the Ken Sidey Nature Area among many other outdoor recreation opportunities.

Geography

Greenfield is located at 41°18′20″N 94°27′31″W (41.305491, -94.458726).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all of it land.

History

The area around Greenfield was settled in 1854. The plan for the town of Greenfield was created in 1856 when the land was purchased by Milton C. Munger. Munger is responsible for the design of Greenfield’s unique town square, and the city park located at Grant and NE Second Street was also included in the original plat. Greenfield became the county seat in 1875 after battling out nearby Fontanelle for the title.

Demographics

Greenfield Historical Population
Year	Pop.	±%
1880	684	—
1890	1,048	+53.2%
1900	1,300	+24.0%
1910	1,379	+6.1%
1920	1,707	+23.8%
1930	1,837	+7.6%
1940	1,869	+1.7%
1950	2,102	+12.5%
1960	2,243	+6.7%
1970	2,212	−1.4%
1980	2,243	+1.4%
1990	2,074	−7.5%
2000	2,129	+2.7%
2010	1,982	−6.9%
Iowa Data Center

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,129 people, 937 households, and 580 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,172.6 people per square mile (451.7/km²). There were 999 housing units at an average density of 550.2 per square mile (211.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.20% White, 0.05% African American, 0.38% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.42% of the population.

There were 937 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 26.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,869, and the median income for a family was $42,872. Males had a median income of $29,792 versus $22,091 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,444. About 7.7% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Greenfield's school district was combined with the Bridgewater-Fontanelle school district in 2000, to form Nodaway Valley Community School District. The district's only high school, Nodaway Valley High School, and one of the district's two elementary schools, Nodaway Valley East Elementary, are in Greenfield.

Main Street Iowa

In 1995, Greenfield became affiliated with the Main Street Iowa program and became a Main rejuvenating the downtown area. The Main Street Approach was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street Center with the goal of economic development within the context of historic preservation. Every year Main Street Iowa awards the member communities for their efforts. Greenfield has won awards every year since it became a Main Street town.  

Adair County Courthouse

Greenfield’s unique Courthouse, built in Romanesque style and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, was constructed in 1891 after the original was destroyed in a fire. The Courthouse was designed by S.E. Maxon. The country’s wars have taken their toll on artifacts surrounding the structure. A gazebo on the south lawn was burned during a WWI victory celebration and cannons that once decorated both entrances were melted down during a WWII scrap iron drive.

E.E. Warren Opera House

The E.E. Warren Opera House was constructed on the site of the old courthouse in 1896. The three story structure was built by E. E. Warren and his wife, Eva. Eva. Edward Earnest Warren was born in New London, Iowa on March 31, 1862. In 1884 Edward married Eva Mary Viers from Fontanelle, Iowa. Eva was born in Washington, Iowa in 1863. The Warrens built their new store and opera house in 1896, in company with John J. Hetherington. Mr Hetherington was born in Pennsylvania in 1842. The idea of a building containing both a store and opera house was first announced in Greenfield in 1895. The building site was formerly occupied by the original courthouse which had burned down. The building's store conducted its Grand Opening on December 1, 1896. The storefront windows had been curtained until the opening ceremony. At 7:30pm the curtains were raised and the crowd rushed the door, breaking it from the force. A string quintet provided live music for visitors. Upstairs the Opera House was awaiting its chairs. Mr Warren finally had his own store building. In 1913 the business became titled "Warren Dry Goods Company". Eva worked as the company's bookkeeper. Mr Hetherington was simultaneously building his new store alongside the EE Warren Opera House.

In the early years, the Opera House hosted traveling theatrical troupes, medicine shows, musical productions and local theatre. Though the upper floors declined in usage, the ground floor was used as retail space until 1990. The Opera House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

In 1996 the EE Warren Opera House Association was formed to save and restore the building and its integrity. The Association has made numerous structural and aesthetic improvements to the interior and exterior of the building. The Association recently acquired the adjacent Hetherington Building and Taylor Building. The mission of the Association is to create a cultural center which will promote all forms of the arts. There will be retail and dining space to enhance the visitor's experience and the facility aims to support live theatre performances, concerts, art exhibits and many more entertaining events. The completed renovation will be known as The Warren Cultural Center, with opening weekend scheduled for April 27, 28 and 29, 2012. Upcoming events, as well as the progress of the renovations, can be followed online at http://www.warrenoperahouse.com/

Hotel Greenfield

Hotel Greenfield, operated by ADCO Enterprises, LC, dates to 1920, the city’s fourth hotel and the third at 110 East Iowa Street, proceeded at this site by The Wilson Hotel and later the Commercial Hotel. It is the largest commercial building in the central business district. Many early hotel patrons traveled to town by the C, B & Q freight-passenger train and were shuttled from the south Greenfield depot. Others arrived by automobile via Iowa’s developing highway system.

Despite the shadow of the Great War (WW I) local boosters were yet able to capitalize a 32-room state-of-the-art lodge at a cost of $65,000. Regional architect William Gordon designed the Classical Revival (Commercial) style building, to be constructed starting in 1919. It was completed and furnished by 1920. A gala Grand Opening was featured June 3, 1920 with William Don Carlos and George Musmaker toastmasters of the evening.

The original “Greenfield Hotel Company” of April 8, 1919, was founded by local business owners and town boosters as a community improvement project, more than as a profit-making enterprise, as such. The company, an Iowa corporation, owned the hotel until July 12, 1951. Lawyer George Musmaker, president, and banker Jay Howe, secretary-treasurer, were two of the company’s primary leaders during those first 32 years. Individuals and families owned and operated the business after that.

A food service establishment has been featured as a major element of the hotel’s operation. The lodging element was dated and dwindling in significance by the 1970s. When ADCO Enterprises, LC purchased the hotel property in March 2010, the Old Hotel Restaurant & Lounge (John Galanakis and family) was flourishing on the first floor space. It now continues to be associated with Hotel Greenfield but is relocated into the former Adair County Free Press building, joined to the west of the original hotel. It was acquired in 2010 in order to secure additional hotel development space. Two hotel suites are located on its second floor, along with laundry and housekeeping facilities.

The Free press building is 19th century Commercial in style with Romanesque features on its façade. It was erected in 1903 by Edwin J. Sidey and his father John S. Sidey, founders of the Adair County Democrat in 1889, later the Adair County Free Press. Edwin’s son Kenneth (1895–1976) and grandson Edwin J. Sidey (1925–2008) succeeded as publishers and editors. Well known White House reporter forTime/Life and author Hugh Sidey (1927–2005), brother of Edwin J., was also closely associated over time with the family’s journalism and photojournalism legacies. Publisher/Editor Linda E. Sidey, widow of Edwin J., relocated the newspaper business and its associated photo gallery to 141 Public Square in December 2010.

ADCO Enterprises, LC is owned primarily by Adair County area investors. It was founded with the support of the Community Development Corporation of Greenfield. Architect Dan Tindall of Grinnell was employed as redevelopment project manager. Tindall is also co-owner of the award-winning vintage Blackhawk Hotel at Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Freedom Rock

The Freedom Rock is a large boulder that marks the entrance to an old rock quarry. Beginning in 1999, Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II has painted the rock every Memorial Day with different patriotic images and sayings in support of the United States military. There are also several murals throughout Adair County featuring Bubba’s patriotic artwork.

Iowa Aviation Museum

The Iowa Aviation Museum celebrates Iowa's remarkable aviation heritage... from the state's first recorded flight in 1910 to its native sons and daughters exploring the universe. Hours and visiting information can be found on the museum's website, http://www.flyingmuseum.com/opening.aspx

Adair County Heritage Museum Complex

Established in 1986, the Adair County Heritage Museum is a five-acre complex dedicated to preserving and display- in the history of Adair County for the benefit and enlightenment of future generations. Located on the west edge of Greenfield, it is operated by the Adair County Historical Society.

Dennis & Marlene Schildberg Antique Car Collection

Dennis Schildberg, a local car collector, needed a location to house his extensive collection of antique cars. After remodeling an old Ford dealership building, he was able to house his cars and display them for the public to enjoy. He started collecting cars with his wife Marlene in the early 1960s, and since then they have collected over 15 antique vehicles. All the vehicles are in running condition except a 1936 Chevy.

In 1982, Dennis started restoring the cars. The Schildbergs involve their cars in parades and car shows. Although Dennis Schildberg died in 1992, his collection is still available to the public. The museum is open by appointment and for special local events.

Ken Sidey Nature Area

The Ken Sidey Nature Area is located 2 1/2 miles southwest of Greenfield at 2521 Lewis Avenue. There are 107 acres of timberland and 3 miles of walking trails. Ken Sidey Nature Area is owned by the Adair County Conservation Board.

Filming location

Greenfield was the primary location for the filming of the 1971 satirical comedy film Cold Turkey, starring Dick Van Dyke. The movie involved a town that accepted a challenge to quit smoking for 30 days. Greenfield also rose to the challenge and went "Cold Turkey" with 166 of its citizens signing Stop Smoking pledges. In 1999, a "Cold Turkey" reunion was held with Lear and several original cast members in attendance. Greenfield and surrounding communities renewed anti-smoking pledges. Portions of the 2009 thriller Peacock were filmed in Greenfield and other towns in Adair County.

U.S. Vice President Henry A. Wallace

The 1888 birthplace of US Vice President Henry A. Wallace (1941-45) is located near Greenfield in Adair County in Section 1, Orient Township. It is now home to the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center, a popular tour site. Wallace founded seed corn company Pioneer Hi-Bred in 1926 and was an editor of Wallace’s Farmer magazine. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Wallace to be US Secretary of Agriculture (1933-41) at the depth of the Great Depression. He also served as US Secretary of Commerce (1946-46); and later ran unsuccessfully for President on the Progressive Party ticket in 1948. Wallace was a key figure in assisting Roosevelt to formulate “New Deal” economic recovery policies and in helping the US prepare to join the Allies in defeating Japan and Germany in World War II. He was named the “Most Influential Iowan of the 20th Century” in 1999 by the Des Moines Register.

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson - Historic Presidential Campaign

Greenfield was for a short time (1987) the national headquarters for the Jesse Jackson presidential campaign and also the permanent Iowa headquarters for Jackson's campaign, March 1987 - July 1988. During this period of the 1980s farm crisis, rural people responded positively to Jackson's embrace of policies that would have restored New Deal-era supply management/price support farm programs designed to stabilize family-scale farm enterprises. Adair County dairy farmer Dixon C. Terry, leader of the National Family Farm Coalition, had invited Jackson to visit Greenfield and deliver a major speech in January 1987. It triggered considerable interest. Jackson, the first truly viable African-American presidential candidate in US history, ultimately came in second place for the Democratic Party nomination, Atlanta, Georgia, July 1988. He exceeded expectations in Iowa (January 1988 presidential caucus vote) and then went on to win several major state primaries and caucuses. A number of Adair County area people staffed Jackson's campaign office in downtown Greenfield. It was noted for its effectiveness and efficiencies. Its impact upon the Presidential election process on behalf of Jackson extended far beyond Iowa.

External links

• Official City Website
• Iowa Aviation Museum
• Hotel Greenfield
• The Warren Cultural Center
• The Freedom Rock
• The Blackhawk Hotel
• City-Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Greenfield