Cooper, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cooper, Iowa
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 Cooper, Iowa
Location in Iowa
Cooper, Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Greene |
| ZIP code |
50059
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| Area code(s) | 515 |
Cooper is a small community in Greene County, Iowa, in the United States. It's called an unincorporated community because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
Contents
The Story of Cooper
How Cooper Started
Cooper began in 1881. This was when the railroad arrived, which was a big deal back then! The community was named after Isaac Cooper. He was the father-in-law of F.M. Hubbell, a railroad executive from Des Moines.
Early Days and Changes
Around 1900, Cooper was at its busiest. About 250 people lived there. But in 1921, a big fire destroyed many of the businesses. By 1940, the population was 157 people.
Schools and Learning
The school district in Cooper joined with the nearby town of Jefferson in 1959. This meant the local Franklin Township School closed that summer. Later, in the 1970s, the junior high school building also closed.
A Big Bicycle Ride
In July 1980, something exciting happened! The Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, known as RAGBRAI, came through Cooper. About 5,000 cyclists rode through the town. To welcome them, a cannon was fired. Also, music from the 1812 Overture was played over and over!
Fun Facts About Cooper
Cooper has become known for a couple of interesting events:
- The 51st Citizen Search: In 1981, Cooper had a unique idea. They searched the world to "adopt" a 51st citizen for their small town! This fun event even got them on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Because of all the attention, nearly 12,500 people came to visit Cooper that weekend!
- Home of the "Iowa Boy": Later on, Cooper became the home of a famous writer named Chuck Offenburger, often called the "Iowa Boy."
