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Kingsley, Iowa

Coordinates: 42°35′21″N 95°58′6″W / 42.58917°N 95.96833°W / 42.58917; -95.96833
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Kingsley, Iowa
City
Location of Kingsley, Iowa
Location of Kingsley, Iowa
Coordinates: 42°35′21″N 95°58′6″W / 42.58917°N 95.96833°W / 42.58917; -95.96833
Country United States
State Iowa
CountyPlymouth
Government
 • TypeMayor-council
 • MayorRick Bohle
Area
[1]
 • Total1.61 sq mi (4.17 km2)
 • Land1.61 sq mi (4.17 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation
1,257 ft (383 m)
Population
 (2010)[2]
 • Total1,411
 • Estimate 
(2012[3])
1,393
 • Density876.4/sq mi (338.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
51028
Area code712
FIPS code19-41385
GNIS feature ID0458095
WebsiteCity of Kingsley

Kingsley is a city in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,411 at the 2010 census.

The city was originally known as the village Quorn, which was later relocated to a different part of Iowa and named Kingsley. Kingsley was founded on January 15, 1884 and the centennial celebration was held in June 1984. Kingsley includes organizations, recreational activities, and a local government consisting of a mayor and a city council. The schools are an elementary school and a high school, with the middle school located in Pierson, Iowa.

Recreational additions include a golf course and a public swimming pool. The city has a public library and publishes a newspaper. There are many businesses and houses within the city limits.

History

Quorn

The city later known as Kingsley was once a village in a different location named Quorn, being named after the Quorn Hunt in England. Quorn was founded by two brothers, Frederick and William B. Close on September 18, 1880. It started with William's and W. Roylance Court Jr.'s 2,000 acre farm, which contained buildings, sheds, and hundreds of livestock. The livestock included sheep, bucks, ewes, cattle, and hogs. Quorn, through investments by the Close brothers, later included a post office, country store, and social center.[4] Quorn continued to grow to include a population of 300 to 400 people and multiple buildings on Main Street.[5]

A railroad was being built and the population of Quorn hoped that it would go through the village on its way to Sioux City, Iowa. However, the railroad did not go through Quorn. One of the many ideas about why the railroad took a different route was due to a disagreement between the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company and the Close brothers. The actual reason is still unknown. Due to the railroad being the main mode of transportation of goods, the villagers had no choice but to relocate to a new area. Every business except for a mill was moved to a new area during 1883.[6][7]

Current site

Kingsley was platted on June 4, 1883 and founded on January 15, 1884. The centennial celebration was held on three days in June 1984.[8] Former United States president Ronald Reagan wrote of the centennial, "The spirit which has built and sustained your community reflects the energy which which has forged American into a land of wonder. As a community held by fellowship and goodwill, Kingsley has become home to many who love it dearly".[8][7]

In June 1894, a 1,500 gallon water tower was used to pump water. In October 1905, the water tower collapsed so a new steel tower was built in January 1906. In 1915, yet another new water tower was built to replace the 1906 water tower. In 1912, a sewer system and 2,775 feet of pipe were laid. The sewer system was expanded on in 1968.[9]

In June 1990, a public swimming pool named the Loring Aquatic Center was opened.[10] The 1893 grain elevator was burned down in 1996 and used as practice by firefighters. In June 2000, new playground equipment was added to Kingsley's park. Kingsley received high speed internet in May 2002.[11] In December 2003, a final water tower was built and was completed on May 24, 2004. In 2005 through 2006, a walking trail was completed. In June 2008, a new water main was built.[12]

The current water tower.

Sources differ whether the city was named for J. T. Kingsley, a railroad official,[13] or Henry W. Kingsley, the original owner of the town site.[14]

On August 17, 2009, it was reported that Kingsley had 80 businesses. From 2001 to 2009, almost 70 houses have been built.[15]

Organizations

Shortly after Quorn was founded, an anonymous organization calling themselves The Spooks was started. Each Christmas, the members provided free food and clothing to the needy in Quorn and then in Kingsley. Their membership was small and only the members themselves knew who was a part of the organization. All members wear masks and they are still in operation in Kingsley.[16][17]

The Women's Kingsley Community Action Club was founded in June 1980 as a splinter group of the Men's KCAC. It was started with the plan to help summer programs for Kingsley's youth.[18]

The city publishes the newspaper The Kingsley-News Times that began publication in 1887.[19] The local newspaper was founded by J. H. Strief, who later became president of the Iowa State Federation of Labor.[20]

Geography

Kingsley is located at 42°35′21″N 95°58′6″W / 42.58917°N 95.96833°W / 42.58917; -95.96833 (42.589178, -95.968280).[21]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.61 square miles (4.17 km2), all of it land.[1]

Demographics

Historical populations
YearPop.±%
1890649—    
1900720+10.9%
1910977+35.7%
19201,072+9.7%
19301,093+2.0%
19401,145+4.8%
19501,098−4.1%
19601,044−4.9%
19701,097+5.1%
19801,209+10.2%
19901,129−6.6%
20001,245+10.3%
20101,411+13.3%
20141,407−0.3%
20151,396−0.8%
Source:"American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. and Iowa Data Center
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census[22]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,411 people, 563 households, and 373 families residing in the city. The population density was 876.4 inhabitants per square mile (338.4/km2). There were 610 housing units at an average density of 378.9 per square mile (146.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.2% White, 0.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.6% Pacific Islander, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.

There were 563 households of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the city was 41.2 years. 26% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 21.5% were from 45 to 64; and 24.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 1,245 people, 524 households, and 344 families residing in the city. The population density was 777.3 people per square mile (300.4/km²). There were 569 housing units at an average density of 355.3 per square mile (137.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.47% White, 0.24% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.24% Pacific Islander, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.32% of the population.

There were 524 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.92.

24.7% were under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,697, and the median income for a family was $41,513. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $24,844 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,052. About 4.4% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The local government includes a mayor and city council members. The current mayor is Rick Bohle.[24] A library and city hall combination began construction in May 1999 with $400,000 raised from the city and the rest of the funds coming from the library and grants. The staff started working from the new building in February 2000.[25] Vicki Sitzmann is the current city clerk.[24]

Mayors from the beginning of Kingsley's founding were J. S. Ellis (1884), G. A. Garrard (1885 and 1886), C. B. Oldfield (1887 to 1989), and F. R. Robinson (1890).[7]

The public library and city hall.

The Kingsley Public Library is the town's only library. The original building was built in 1967, later being redone in 1999 to house both the library and the city hall. It includes a large selection of books and DVDs. There are public computers for use by patrons and a story hour for children. The library also participates in an inter-library loan program.[26]

Education

The town has Kingsley Elementary School and Kingsley-Pierson High School, both at the same address.[27] The middle school students attend classes in Pierson, Iowa.[28] The elementary school serves 163 students and the high school serves 139 students.[27]

Recreation

Kingsley has a public swimming pool called the Loring Aquatic & Fitness Center, a golf course, a park, a walking trail, and a community center.[29] It also has five churches of multiple religious denominations.[30]

Geography and transportation

Kingsley is located in Garfield Township within Plymouth County, Iowa.[7]

Iowa Highway 140 runs straight by Kingsley, Iowa.[31] The Siouxland Community Transit System services all of Plymouth County among other nearby counties.[32]

Notable people

References

  1. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2012-05-11. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  3. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-06-17. Retrieved 2013-05-23. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Kingsley Centennial Book Committee (1984). A Century of Memories - Kingsley 1884 to 1984. Miller Printing and Publishing. p. 6.
  5. ^ Kingsley Centennial Book Committee (1984). A Century of Memories - Kingsley 1884 to 1984. Miller Printing and Publishing. p. 7.
  6. ^ Kingsley Centennial Book Committee (1984). A Century of Memories - Kingsley 1884 to 1984. Miller Printing and Publishing. p. 8.
  7. ^ a b c d Clark, W. L. History of the Counties of Woodbury and Plymouth, Iowa. p. 508. ISBN 9785885287425.
  8. ^ a b Kingsley Centennial Book Committee (1984). A Century of Memories - Kingsley 1884 to 1984. Miller Printing and Publishing.
  9. ^ Kingsley Centennial Book Committee (2009). Kingsley, Iowa 125 Years. Miller Printing and Publishing. p. 9.
  10. ^ Kingsley Centennial Book Committee (2009). Kingsley, Iowa 125 Years. Miller Printing and Publishing. p. 11.
  11. ^ Kingsley Centennial Book Committee (2009). Kingsley, Iowa 125 Years. Miller Printing and Publishing. p. 12.
  12. ^ Kingsley Centennial Book Committee (2009). Kingsley, Iowa 125 Years. Miller Printing and Publishing. p. 13.
  13. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 175.
  14. ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 90.
  15. ^ "Our Hometown: Kingsley, Iowa". KTIV. August 17, 2009. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  16. ^ Kingsley Centennial Book Committee (1984). A Century of Memories - Kingsley 1884 to 1984. Miller Printing and Publishing. p. 108.
  17. ^ Munson, Kyle (December 18, 2014). "Munson: Iowa's oldest, oddest Christmas mystery? The Kingsley Spooks". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  18. ^ Kingsley Centennial Book Committee (1984). A Century of Memories - Kingsley 1884 to 1984. Miller Printing and Publishing. p. 109.
  19. ^ "Kingsley News-Times". Mondo Times. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  20. ^ Iowa Secretary of State (1923). Official Register.
  21. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  22. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  24. ^ a b "Public Services". Kingsley, Iowa Official Website. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  25. ^ Kingsley Centennial Book Committee (2009). Kingsley, Iowa 125 Years. Miller Printing and Publishing. p. 34.
  26. ^ Kingsley Centennial Book Committee (2009). Kingsley, Iowa 125 Years. Miller Printing and Publishing. p. 35.
  27. ^ a b "Kingsley Public Schools". Public School Review. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  28. ^ "Kingsley-Pierson Middle School". Kingsley-Pierson Community School District. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  29. ^ "Recreation". Kingsley, Iowa Official Website. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  30. ^ "Churches in Kingsley IA". Church Finder. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  31. ^ "112 Highway 140". Mapquest. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  32. ^ "Service Areas and Fares". Simpco. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  33. ^ Wendl Thomas, Joan (March 20, 2017). Baseball in Northwest Iowa. Arcadia Publishing. p. 28. ISBN 9781467125147.
  34. ^ Henry Spink, Alfred (1910). The National Game: A History of Baseball, America's Leading Out-door Sport. National Game Publishing Company. p. 132.
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