Massena, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Massena is a city in Cass County
, Iowa
, United States
. The population was 414 at the 2000 census. Massena's motto is: "The Home of Friendly People". Massena's sister community is Cumberland, Iowa
. Massena is named after Massena, New York
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all of it land. Massena is located approximately half way between Des Moines, Iowa
and Omaha, Nebraska
, 15 miles south of Interstate 80
.
of 2000, there were 414 people, 182 households, and 113 families residing in the city. The population density
was 595.3 people per square mile (228.4/km²). There were 193 housing units at an average density of 277.5 per square mile (106.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.76% White (413 people), and 0.24% from two or more races (1 person). Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.24% of the population (1 person).
There were 182 households out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples
living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,625, and the median income for a family was $43,173. Males had a median income of $31,319 versus $20,909 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,012. About 8.4% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
on land purchased from A. Vredenburgh in 1883 and 1884 that included most of Section 33 of Cass County. The incorporated city was platted in 1886. The first meeting of the city council was on March 21, 1887 and a special election was held on December 10, 1887 to enlarge the corporate limits to include all of section 33. The city was platted with the name of "Smith", but the post office authorities refused the name because of another city with a similar spelling.
Lume A. Stone, an American Civil War
soldier
from Massena, New York
, suggested Massena after his hometown, and thus the name of the township and town. Massena, New York was named after a French
Marshal under Napoleon
, Andre Massena
.
restored, maintains and gives tours of a country school house, a barber shop
and a gas station. The country school house, Victoria No. 8, was brought in to town from Victoria Township. Every 3 July the local volunteer fire department
sponsors a street dance
on Main Street
to raise money for the fire department
. The annual Fontanelle & Massena Independence Day
parade
is alternated between Massena and the community of Fontanelle, Iowa
. Baseball has a strong tradition in Massena. Massena's local team is the Massena Red Sox, formally the Cumberland Red Sox, which has been in existence sine the 1920s.
to create the C & M Community School District. In 2003 the C & M Community School District started whole grade sharing with the Anita Community School District of Anita, Iowa
, going under the name of CAM for Cumberland, Anita and Massena. C & M and Anita reorganized in 2010 to create the CAM Community School District. Massena is currently the home of the CAM Middle School and C & M Elementary. CAM High School is in Anita where there is also an elementary school.
. Many of the people from Massena are family farm
ers. Massena is also known as a bedroom community. It is located centrally between Atlantic
, the county seat
of Cass County
, Greenfield
, the county seat of Adair County and Corning
, the county seat of Adams County
. Many Massenans commute to these cities as well as others.
21st century Co-op is based in Massena. Its territory covers most of Adair County and Cass County. The co-op runs a gas station. Massena has a John Deere
service center, a bank
, a hotel
, a medical center, a tavern
, a grocery store
, two mechanics
, a welder
, a craft
store and a sale barn. There is also a chiropractor
, a massage therapist and several beauticians.
, and a Roman Catholic Church
. St. Patrick Catholic Church serves the communities of Massena and Bridgewater, Iowa
as well as part of the community of Cumberland, Iowa
. St. Patrick is part of the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines. Two country churches hold a Massena address: St. Peter's United Church of Christ
and Pine Grove United Methodist Church
. A Christian church, Disciples of Christ, named Trinity
, is located in the city of Bridgewater, Iowa. Trinity Christian Church serves the communities of Massena, Bridgewater and Cumberland.
Cass County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 13,956 in the county, with a population density of . There were 6,591 housing units, of which 5,980 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 414 at the 2000 census. Massena's motto is: "The Home of Friendly People". Massena's sister community is Cumberland, Iowa
Cumberland, Iowa
Cumberland is a city in Cass County, Iowa, United States. The population was 281 at the 2000 census. Cumberland's sister community is Massena, Iowa.-Geography:Cumberland is located at ....
. Massena is named after Massena, New York
Massena (town), New York
Massena is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The town is on the northern border of the county and is nicknamed "The Gateway to the Fourth Coast". The population was 13,121 at the 2000 census. The town of Massena contains a village also called Massena...
.
Geography
Massena is located at 41°15′14"N 94°46′8"W (41.253802, -94.768866) among the rolling hills of Iowa at the intersection of Iowa Highway 92 and Iowa Highway 148.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all of it land. Massena is located approximately half way between Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
and Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, 15 miles south of Interstate 80
Interstate 80
Interstate 80 is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, following Interstate 90. It is a transcontinental artery running from downtown San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey in the New York City Metropolitan Area...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 414 people, 182 households, and 113 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 595.3 people per square mile (228.4/km²). There were 193 housing units at an average density of 277.5 per square mile (106.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.76% White (413 people), and 0.24% from two or more races (1 person). Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.24% of the population (1 person).
There were 182 households out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,625, and the median income for a family was $43,173. Males had a median income of $31,319 versus $20,909 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,012. About 8.4% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
History
The city of Massena was platted by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy RailroadChicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was a railroad that operated in the Midwestern United States. Commonly referred to as the Burlington or as the Q, the Burlington Route served a large area, including extensive trackage in the states of Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri,...
on land purchased from A. Vredenburgh in 1883 and 1884 that included most of Section 33 of Cass County. The incorporated city was platted in 1886. The first meeting of the city council was on March 21, 1887 and a special election was held on December 10, 1887 to enlarge the corporate limits to include all of section 33. The city was platted with the name of "Smith", but the post office authorities refused the name because of another city with a similar spelling.
Lume A. Stone, an American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
from Massena, New York
Massena (town), New York
Massena is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The town is on the northern border of the county and is nicknamed "The Gateway to the Fourth Coast". The population was 13,121 at the 2000 census. The town of Massena contains a village also called Massena...
, suggested Massena after his hometown, and thus the name of the township and town. Massena, New York was named after a French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Marshal under Napoleon
Napoleon I of France
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution.As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1815...
, Andre Massena
André Masséna
André Masséna 1st Duc de Rivoli, 1st Prince d'Essling was a French military commander during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars....
.
Culture
The Massena Historical SocietyHistorical society
A historical society is an organization that collects, researches, interprets and preserves information or items of historical interest. Generally, a historical society focuses on a specific geographical area, such as a county or town or subject, such as aviation or rail. Many historical...
restored, maintains and gives tours of a country school house, a barber shop
Barber
A barber is someone whose occupation is to cut any type of hair, and to shave or trim the beards of men. The place of work of a barber is generally called a barbershop....
and a gas station. The country school house, Victoria No. 8, was brought in to town from Victoria Township. Every 3 July the local volunteer fire department
Volunteer fire department
See also the Firefighter article and its respective sections regarding VFDs in other countries.A volunteer fire department is a fire department composed of volunteers who perform fire suppression and other related emergency services for a local jurisdiction.The first organized force of...
sponsors a street dance
Street dance
Street dance, more formally known as vernacular dance, is an umbrella term used to describe dance styles that evolved outside of dance studios in any available open space such as streets, dance parties, block parties, parks, school yards, raves, and nightclubs, etc...
on Main Street
Main Street
Main Street is the metonym for a generic street name of the primary retail street of a village, town, or small city in many parts of the world...
to raise money for the fire department
Fire department
A fire department or fire brigade is a public or private organization that provides fire protection for a certain jurisdiction, which typically is a municipality, county, or fire protection district...
. The annual Fontanelle & Massena Independence Day
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
parade
Parade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
is alternated between Massena and the community of Fontanelle, Iowa
Fontanelle, Iowa
Fontanelle is a city in Summerset Township, Adair County, Iowa, United States. The population was 692 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Fontanelle is located at ....
. Baseball has a strong tradition in Massena. Massena's local team is the Massena Red Sox, formally the Cumberland Red Sox, which has been in existence sine the 1920s.
Education
Massena was home of the Massena School District until 1959 when it reorganized with the city of Cumberland, IowaCumberland, Iowa
Cumberland is a city in Cass County, Iowa, United States. The population was 281 at the 2000 census. Cumberland's sister community is Massena, Iowa.-Geography:Cumberland is located at ....
to create the C & M Community School District. In 2003 the C & M Community School District started whole grade sharing with the Anita Community School District of Anita, Iowa
Anita, Iowa
Anita is a city in Cass County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,049 at the 2000 census. Lake Anita State Park is located just outside of the town.-Geography:Anita is located at ....
, going under the name of CAM for Cumberland, Anita and Massena. C & M and Anita reorganized in 2010 to create the CAM Community School District. Massena is currently the home of the CAM Middle School and C & M Elementary. CAM High School is in Anita where there is also an elementary school.
Business
Most of Massena's economy is based on agricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
. Many of the people from Massena are family farm
Family farm
A family farm is a farm owned and operated by a family, and often passed down from generation to generation. It is the basic unit of the mostly agricultural economy of much of human history and continues to be so in developing nations...
ers. Massena is also known as a bedroom community. It is located centrally between Atlantic
Atlantic, Iowa
Atlantic is a city in and the county seat of Cass County, Iowa, United States, located along the East Nishnabotna River. The population was 7,112 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 7,257 population in the 2000 census. -History:...
, the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Cass County
Cass County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 13,956 in the county, with a population density of . There were 6,591 housing units, of which 5,980 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, Greenfield
Greenfield, Iowa
Greenfield is a city in Greenfield Township, Adair County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,129 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Adair County. The current courthouse, which sits in the middle of the Greenfield Square, was built in 1891 and is listed on the National Register of...
, the county seat of Adair County and Corning
Corning, Iowa
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,783 people, 803 households, and 452 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,132.3 people per square mile . There were 880 housing units at an average density of 558.9 per square mile...
, the county seat of Adams County
Adams County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 4,029 in the county, with a population density of . There were 2,010 housing units, of which 1,715 were occupied.-2000 census:...
. Many Massenans commute to these cities as well as others.
21st century Co-op is based in Massena. Its territory covers most of Adair County and Cass County. The co-op runs a gas station. Massena has a John Deere
John Deere
John Deere was an American blacksmith and manufacturer who founded Deere & Company, one of the largest and leading agricultural and construction equipment manufacturers in the world...
service center, a bank
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
, a hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
, a medical center, a tavern
Tavern
A tavern is a place of business where people gather to drink alcoholic beverages and be served food, and in some cases, where travelers receive lodging....
, a grocery store
Grocery store
A grocery store is a store that retails food. A grocer, the owner of a grocery store, stocks different kinds of foods from assorted places and cultures, and sells these "groceries" to customers. Large grocery stores that stock products other than food, such as clothing or household items, are...
, two mechanics
Mechanics
Mechanics is the branch of physics concerned with the behavior of physical bodies when subjected to forces or displacements, and the subsequent effects of the bodies on their environment....
, a welder
Welder
A welder is a tradesman who specializes in welding materials together. The materials to be joined can be metals or varieties of plastic or polymer...
, a craft
Craft
A craft is a branch of a profession that requires some particular kind of skilled work. In historical sense, particularly as pertinent to the Medieval history and earlier, the term is usually applied towards people occupied in small-scale production of goods.-Development from the past until...
store and a sale barn. There is also a chiropractor
Chiropractor
A Chiropractor, according to the Association of Chiropractic Colleges , "focuses on the relationship between the body's main structures – the skeleton, the muscles and the nerves – and the patient's health. Chiropractors believe that health can be improved and preserved by making adjustments to...
, a massage therapist and several beauticians.
Churches
The city of Massena is home to a Baptist Church, a United Methodist ChurchUnited Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
, and a Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. St. Patrick Catholic Church serves the communities of Massena and Bridgewater, Iowa
Bridgewater, Iowa
Bridgewater is a city in Jackson Township, Adair County, Iowa, United States. The population was 178 at the 2000 census. Bridgewater was founded in 1885.-Geography:Bridgewater is located at...
as well as part of the community of Cumberland, Iowa
Cumberland, Iowa
Cumberland is a city in Cass County, Iowa, United States. The population was 281 at the 2000 census. Cumberland's sister community is Massena, Iowa.-Geography:Cumberland is located at ....
. St. Patrick is part of the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines. Two country churches hold a Massena address: St. Peter's United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition but also historically influenced by Lutheranism. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC...
and Pine Grove United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
. A Christian church, Disciples of Christ, named Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
, is located in the city of Bridgewater, Iowa. Trinity Christian Church serves the communities of Massena, Bridgewater and Cumberland.