Bryantsburg, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bryantsburg, Iowa
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 Bryantsburg, Iowa
Location in Iowa
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Buchanan County |
| Government | |
| • Type | unincorporated community |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Bryantsburg is a small, quiet community in Buchanan County, Iowa, United States. It's not a city or town with its own local government. Instead, it's an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and buildings that are part of the larger county. You can find Bryantsburg on Highway 150. It's north of Independence and south of Hazleton.
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Where is Bryantsburg?
Bryantsburg is easy to find on Iowa State Highway 150. It's located near where Highway 150 meets 150th Street. This community is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) north of Independence. Independence is the main town, or "county seat," for Buchanan County.
A Look at Bryantsburg's Past
Bryantsburg started a long time ago, in the 1800s. It was first called Bryant. Later, its name changed to Bryantburg (without the 'S').
The Railroad Connection
Bryantburg was an important stop on the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad. At first, it was just a "flag station." This meant trains would only stop if someone waved a flag to get on or off. Over time, it became a full station. By the early 1900s, Bryantburg was seen as a "small town." The Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad operated until 1980. After that, it stopped running.
Community Life in Early Bryantsburg
Long ago, Bryantsburg had many things a town needs. It had a bank where people could keep their money. There were also schools for children to learn. The community even had its own post office. This is where people sent and received letters. Some of the early postmasters included J.R. Cowell and A. Johnson. The post office eventually closed by 1925.
Bryantsburg was also home to the Free Will Baptist Church. This church first met in a different area. But in 1900, the church opened its doors in Bryantsburg. By 1914, about 50 people were members of the church.
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Bryantsburg changed over the years.
- In 1902, there were 41 people.
- By 1925, the population grew a bit to 52 people.
- In 1940, the number dropped to 25 people.
The Great Hailstorm of 1931
In 1931, a very strong hailstorm hit northeast Iowa. It caused a lot of damage in the Bryantsburg area. The storm ruined crops in fields. It also harmed farm animals like chickens and pigs. The storm started in Bryantsburg. In Buchanan County, the damage was very bad. Farmers lost almost all their crops. The storm was wide, stretching from one to four miles across.
Bryantsburg Today
By the 1970s, Bryantsburg was listed as one of Iowa's "dying towns." This meant it was getting smaller. Today, many Amish families live in the Bryantsburg area. It is also close to the Morwood Campgrounds.
