Shady Grove, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Shady Grove is a former townsite and unincorporated community
in Buchanan County
, Iowa
, United States
, between the cities of Brandon
and Jesup
. Settlement of Shady Grove began in 1857, but with the advent of rural migration, the population had dropped to 25 by the 1950s. New housing developments begun during the 1990s and 2000s, however, have caused the empty community to be reborn, causing controversy along the way.
in Black Hawk County and Mount Auburn
in Benton County.
, near the Buchanan-Black Hawk county line. Shady Grove was close to another town named Sunnyside. In 1886, a post office opened under the name Shady Grove. Despite attracting businesses including a machinery dealership, a creamery, a church and a general store, the town never incorporated. Years of rural migration caused the population to drop to 25 persons (seven families) by 1958. The general store closed in the 1980s and the building was moved from its original spot to one on Spring Creek Road. The town remained on county maps as late as the 1990s, though there was nothing left to mark the community other than a giant machine shed with the words "Shady Grove" on it.
There is still evidence of Shady Grove's existence. Property owned by the Schares contained the building which once was a barber shop. They knocked it down in 2004 to make room for their cattle field. At the time of its destruction, newspapers lined the walls like wallpaper. Cattle land owned by the Youngbluts was discovered to hold the old Shady Grove Cemetery. The tombstones have tumbled and been broken up and some possibly lost due to flooded creeks and cattle tromps. The Buchanan County Historical Society has taken the cemetery area under their wing and turned it into a protected area with a sign outside the fence recognizing its existence.
During the mid-1990s, there was renewed interest in the area as developers began selling plots of land. By 2007, more than forty new homes had been built in the area, causing concern for the area's local farmers.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Buchanan County
Buchanan County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 20,958 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,968 housing units, of which 8,161 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...
, between the cities of Brandon
Brandon, Iowa
Brandon is a city in Buchanan County, Iowa, United States. The population was 311 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Brandon is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
and Jesup
Jesup, Iowa
Jesup is a city in Black Hawk and Buchanan Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 2,212 at the 2000 census.The Black Hawk County portion of Jesup is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. Settlement of Shady Grove began in 1857, but with the advent of rural migration, the population had dropped to 25 by the 1950s. New housing developments begun during the 1990s and 2000s, however, have caused the empty community to be reborn, causing controversy along the way.
Geography
Shady Grove lies at the junction of county roads V65 and D47 between Brandon and Jesup. It lies 1/2 mile east of the Black Hawk county line. Other nearby towns include Jubilee and La Porte CityLa Porte City, Iowa
La Porte City is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,275 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:La Porte City is located at ....
in Black Hawk County and Mount Auburn
Mount Auburn, Iowa
Mount Auburn is a city in Benton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 160 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Mount Auburn is located at ....
in Benton County.
History
Shady Grove was founded in 1857 at the western edge of Jefferson TownshipJefferson Township, Buchanan County, Iowa
Jefferson Township is one of sixteen townships in Buchanan County, Iowa, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 726.-Geography:Jefferson Township covers an area of and contains one incorporated settlement, Brandon. The unincorporated community of Shady Grove is at the northwestern edge of...
, near the Buchanan-Black Hawk county line. Shady Grove was close to another town named Sunnyside. In 1886, a post office opened under the name Shady Grove. Despite attracting businesses including a machinery dealership, a creamery, a church and a general store, the town never incorporated. Years of rural migration caused the population to drop to 25 persons (seven families) by 1958. The general store closed in the 1980s and the building was moved from its original spot to one on Spring Creek Road. The town remained on county maps as late as the 1990s, though there was nothing left to mark the community other than a giant machine shed with the words "Shady Grove" on it.
There is still evidence of Shady Grove's existence. Property owned by the Schares contained the building which once was a barber shop. They knocked it down in 2004 to make room for their cattle field. At the time of its destruction, newspapers lined the walls like wallpaper. Cattle land owned by the Youngbluts was discovered to hold the old Shady Grove Cemetery. The tombstones have tumbled and been broken up and some possibly lost due to flooded creeks and cattle tromps. The Buchanan County Historical Society has taken the cemetery area under their wing and turned it into a protected area with a sign outside the fence recognizing its existence.
During the mid-1990s, there was renewed interest in the area as developers began selling plots of land. By 2007, more than forty new homes had been built in the area, causing concern for the area's local farmers.
External links
- "Shady Grove sees a revival" RadioIowa.com.