Greenfield, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Greenfield, Iowa
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| Motto(s):
"There's Nothing Like It"
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Location within Adair County and Iowa
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Adair |
| Township | Greenfield |
| Platted | 1856 |
| Incorporated | 1876 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.78 sq mi (4.62 km2) |
| • Land | 1.78 sq mi (4.62 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,375 ft (419 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,062 |
| • Density | 1,155.18/sq mi (446.11/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
50849
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| Area code | 641 |
| FIPS code | 19-32790 |
| GNIS ID | 2394989 |
Greenfield is a city in Iowa, United States. It's also the main town, or "county seat," of Adair County. In 2020, about 2,062 people lived there.
Contents
History of Greenfield
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People started settling around Greenfield in 1854. The town's plan was created in 1856. A man named Milton C. Munger bought the land. He designed Greenfield's special "Lancaster-style" town square. The city park was also part of his original plan. Greenfield gets its name from Greenfield, Massachusetts.
Greenfield became the county seat in 1875. This happened after it competed with a nearby town called Fontanelle. The city officially became a city on May 22, 1876.
Greenfield has four buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are special places recognized for their history. They include the E. E. Warren Opera House, the Adair County Courthouse, the Adair County Democrat/Adair County Free Press building, and Hotel Greenfield.
The Free Press building was built in 1903. It has a 19th-century commercial style with Romanesque features. The Sidey family, who started the Adair County Democrat newspaper in 1889, built it. Later, the newspaper became the Adair County Free Press. Many family members worked there, including famous White House reporter Hugh Sidey.
2024 Tornado Event
On May 21, 2024, a very strong tornado hit Greenfield. It was part of a big group of tornadoes that hit the Midwest. This tornado was an EF4, which means it was very powerful. Many homes were badly damaged or destroyed. Some were even leveled to the ground. Cars and other buildings were also destroyed. Sadly, four people in Greenfield died, and at least 35 others were hurt.
Greenfield's Geography
Greenfield covers about 1.81 square miles (4.62 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population Changes
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1880 | 684 | — |
| 1890 | 1,048 | +53.2% |
| 1900 | 1,300 | +24.0% |
| 1910 | 1,379 | +6.1% |
| 1920 | 1,707 | +23.8% |
| 1930 | 1,837 | +7.6% |
| 1940 | 1,869 | +1.7% |
| 1950 | 2,102 | +12.5% |
| 1960 | 2,243 | +6.7% |
| 1970 | 2,212 | −1.4% |
| 1980 | 2,243 | +1.4% |
| 1990 | 2,074 | −7.5% |
| 2000 | 2,129 | +2.7% |
| 2010 | 1,982 | −6.9% |
| 2020 | 2,062 | +4.0% |
| Iowa Data Center Source: |
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In 2020, Greenfield had 2,062 people living there. The city had 945 households. The average age of people in Greenfield was 42 years old. About 25% of the residents were under 20 years old.
Local Economy
In 1995, Greenfield joined the Main Street Iowa program. This program helps improve downtown areas. It focuses on economic growth while keeping historic buildings safe. Greenfield has won awards every year since joining this program. This shows their hard work in making the downtown area better.
Arts and Culture in Greenfield
Adair County Courthouse
Greenfield's special Courthouse was built in 1891. It has a Romanesque style. The original courthouse burned down before this one was built. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the years, some things around the courthouse have been lost. A gazebo was burned during a World War I celebration. Cannons were melted down during World War II to help with the war effort.
Warren Cultural Center / E. E. Warren Opera House
The E. E. Warren Opera House was built in 1896. It was built by E. E. Warren and his wife, Eva. This three-story building had a store on the ground floor and an opera house upstairs. The store opened in December 1896. The Opera House hosted many shows, like plays, music, and traveling acts.
Even though the upper floors were used less over time, the ground floor stayed a retail store until 1990. The Opera House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
In 1996, a group was formed to save and restore the building. They have made many improvements. They also bought nearby buildings. Their goal is to create a cultural center for all kinds of arts. It will have shops, dining, live theater, concerts, and art shows. The renovated building is now called The Warren Cultural Center. It had its grand opening in May 2012. You can find out about upcoming events online.
Hotel Greenfield
Hotel Greenfield opened in 1920. It was the city's fourth hotel and the third one at its location. It's the biggest commercial building in the downtown area. Many early guests came by train. Others arrived by car on Iowa's new highways.
Local business owners and community leaders started the hotel. They wanted to improve the town, not just make money. It was a modern hotel with 32 rooms. It cost $65,000 to build and furnish. The hotel had a big opening party on June 3, 1920.
Freedom Rock
The Freedom Rock is a large boulder at the entrance of an old rock quarry. Since 1999, an artist named Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II has painted this rock every Memorial Day. He paints different patriotic images and messages to support the United States military. There are also other murals by Bubba in Adair County.
Iowa Aviation Museum
The Iowa Aviation Museum celebrates Iowa's history with airplanes and space travel. It shows everything from the first recorded flight in Iowa in 1910 to Iowans who explored space.
Adair County Heritage Museum Complex
The Adair County Heritage Museum opened in 1986. It's a five-acre area that saves and shows the history of Adair County. It helps future generations learn about the past. The museum is on the west side of Greenfield. The Adair County Historical Society runs it.
Schildberg Antique Car Collection
Dennis Schildberg was a local car collector. He needed a place for his many antique cars. He fixed up an old Ford dealership building. Now, his cars are displayed for everyone to enjoy. Dennis and his wife Marlene started collecting cars in the early 1960s. They collected over 15 antique vehicles. All the cars can still run, except for a 1936 Chevy.
Dennis Schildberg started restoring the cars in 1982. The Schildbergs often show their cars in parades and car shows. Dennis Schildberg passed away in 1992, but his car collection is still open to the public. You can visit the museum by making an appointment or during special local events.
Parks and Recreation
The Ken Sidey Nature Area is located southwest of Greenfield. It has 107 acres (43 hectares) of timberland. There are also 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) of walking trails. The Adair County Conservation Board owns this nature area.
Education
The Nodaway Valley Community School District serves Greenfield. This school district was formed in 2000. It combined the Greenfield and Bridgewater–Fontanelle school districts.
Greenfield is home to the district's only high school, Nodaway Valley High School. The district's only elementary school, Nodaway Valley East Elementary, is also in Greenfield.
Filming Location
Greenfield was the main place where the 1971 comedy movie Cold Turkey was filmed. The movie was about a town that tried to quit smoking for 30 days. Greenfield itself took the challenge! About 166 of its citizens pledged to stop smoking. In 1999, a "Cold Turkey" reunion was held in Greenfield. The movie's producer, Norman Lear, and some actors attended. Greenfield and nearby towns renewed their anti-smoking pledges. Parts of the 2009 thriller Peacock were also filmed in Greenfield.
Images for kids
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Adair County Courthouse
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Location within Adair County and Iowa
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The historic Adair county courthouse with central tower still attached, circa 1890s/early 1900s
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The E. E. Warren Opera House in 2013
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Hotel Greenfield
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A sign at the entrance of Iowa Aviation Museum
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Interior of the Iowa Aviation Museum
