Iowa Hill, California facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Iowa Hill
Unincorporated community
Iowa Hill bridges over the North Fork of the American River
Iowa Hill Location in California Show map of California Iowa Hill Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	California
County	Placer
Elevation	2,861 ft (872 m)
California Historical Landmark
Reference #:	401

Iowa Hill (once called Iowa City) is a small town in Placer County, California. It is not officially part of a city. The town is about 6.5 miles northwest of Foresthill. It is also 9 miles east of Colfax. Iowa Hill is located 58 miles northeast of Sacramento.

The town sits high up, at 2,861 feet above sea level. About 200 people live here. People in Iowa Hill get their electricity from solar panels and generators. The road to Iowa Hill is very steep and winding. This, along with the town's unique power system, means its population stays small. Many people who live here enjoy cycling. Visitors like Iowa Hill for its many outdoor activities.

The Historic Stevens Trail connected the town of Iowa Hill with the city of Colfax, California. It is now a popular hiking trail, extending 4.5 miles along the North Fork of the American River.

Iowa Hill Road is a steep, winding road. It has only one lane and no guardrails. Because ambulances take a long time to arrive, CALSTAR helicopters help with emergencies. There is a special landing pad for these helicopters near the town's fire station.

Life in Iowa Hill

People in Iowa Hill love being outdoors. They often spend time near the North Fork of the American River. Popular things to do include hiking, cycling, and swimming. Many also enjoy whitewater rafting and kayaking. Gold panning and fishing are also common activities.

About half of the homes in Iowa Hill are vacation homes. The town is not connected to the main electrical grid. This means all power comes from solar panels and generators. Mail is delivered three times each week. The Iowa Hill Store is a special place. It works as a restaurant, a bar, a post office, and a small market.

Visiting Iowa Hill

Iowa Hill is a favorite spot for outdoor lovers. Close to town, you can find the North Fork of the American River. The Mineral Bar Campground is also nearby. The Sugar Pine Reservoir recreation area offers more fun. There are many trails, including the famous Stevens Trail. This trail goes between Colfax and Iowa Hill.

Mineral Bar Campground is part of the Auburn State Recreation Area. This is a State Park. The Bureau of Reclamation manages it. They started charging for parking there in 2013. Parking at the Stevens Trailhead is still free. The trail starts near the Iowa Hill Store. It goes all the way to Colfax, crossing the North Fork of the American River.

History of Iowa Hill

Gold was found here in 1851 or 1852. Miners from Iowa made the discovery. The town was first called Iowa City. Its post office opened in 1854. By the mid-1850s, Iowa Hill was a busy place. It had stores, breweries, and saloons. There were also churches, schools, and meeting halls.

In 1857, a big fire destroyed about 100 buildings. These were in the main business area. Luckily, no one died in the fire. By 1867, the town was producing a lot of gold. It made about $100,000 per week. In 1901, the post office changed the town's name to Iowa Hill. Another fire in 1920 almost completely destroyed the town.

Today, only a few old buildings remain. You can still see an old Wells Fargo vault. There is also the old fire house and two cemeteries. Iowa Hill is now recognized as California Historical Landmark #401. This means it is an important historical site.

Telephone Service

In 1955, Iowa Hill got its first dial telephone service. It was a single phone line to Colfax, California. Local residents, led by Robert F. Yonash, put it in. This single landline worked for over ten years. But it eventually stopped working because it was not maintained. The long line hung over the American River Canyon. Sometimes, it would break.

The community did not have landline phone service again until 2011. People used radios and cell phones instead. Cell phone service was often spotty. In October 2011, landline service became available again. A grant from the California Public Utilities Commission helped pay for it. This new service uses microwave towers. It connects to the Foresthill Telephone Company in Foresthill, California.

Gold Mining

The area around Iowa Hill has many famous gold mines. Some of these include "Big Dipper" and "Gleeson."

A writer named Frank Norris wrote a short story in 1903. It was called The Wife of Chino. The story was about local miners. They went into town to use the Iowa Hill Post Office.

Climate

Iowa Hill has different weather throughout the year. In winter, it often snows 1 to 2 feet. Temperatures can drop as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are warm, ranging from 87 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Iowa Hill has a hot summer Mediterranean climate. This is shown as "Csa" on climate maps.