Gifford, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gifford, Iowa
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 Gifford, Iowa
Location in Iowa
Gifford, Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Hardin |
| Elevation | 945 ft (288 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 456897 |
Gifford is a small, unincorporated community located in the southeastern part of Hardin County, Iowa, in the United States. It's called "unincorporated" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town does. Gifford was started in 1875 and was an important spot because two different railroad lines, the Chicago & North Western Railroad and the Iowa Central Railroad, passed through it.
Contents
Where is Gifford?
Gifford is found south of Eldora, which is the main town and "county seat" of Hardin County. A county seat is like the capital city for a county, where the main government offices are.
The community is located where two county roads, D55 and S62, meet. It's also situated along the Iowa River. Gifford is about 945 feet (288 meters) above sea level.
A Look at Gifford's History
Gifford was officially planned and "laid out" (meaning its streets and lots were mapped) in 1875. It was named after C. T. Gifford, who played a big part in bringing the railroad to the area. A few years later, in 1880, three new sections were added to Gifford, called the Sheffield, Ankrum, and Peat Additions.
Railroads and Businesses
By 1880, Gifford was a busy place because it was a meeting point for two important railroads: the Chicago & North Western Railroad and the Iowa Central Railroad. This made it easy for goods and people to travel to and from Gifford.
In 1883, Gifford had many different businesses. There were three general stores where people could buy all sorts of things, two hotels for travelers, a butcher shop, and a drug store. There was even a pottery manufacturer and a hardware store.
Community Life
Gifford also had a strong community spirit. The First Baptist Church of Gifford was started in 1881. There was also a Union Sabbath School with 70 students, which shows that education was important. A Masonic Lodge, a type of community organization, was also active in Gifford.
Post Office and Population
Gifford had its own post office, which first opened on November 9, 1875. However, it closed down on February 28, 1907. It reopened briefly on February 17, 1908, but then closed again for good on October 31, 1954. After that, Gifford's mail was handled by the post office in Union.
Even though Gifford's post office closed many years ago, it still has its own ZIP Code, which is 50259. The ZIP Code system was created after Gifford's post office closed, but the community still has its own unique code.
Gifford's population changed over the years:
- In 1900, about 70 people lived in Gifford.
- By 1925, the population grew to 150 people.
- In 1940, it reached 200 people.
