Lanyon, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lanyon
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 Lanyon
Location in Iowa
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Webster |
| Elevation | 1,138 ft (347 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
50544
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Lanyon is a small, unincorporated community located in Webster County, Iowa, in the United States. This means it's a settled area, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. It's part of Lost Grove Township.
Contents
Where is Lanyon Located?
Lanyon is in the state of Iowa. It's about 17 miles south of Fort Dodge, which is the main city in Webster County.
The community is made up of seven blocks. You can find it by looking for 390th Street to the north and Lanyon Avenue to the east. Lanyon sits at an elevation of about 1,171 feet (357 meters) above sea level.
A Look at Lanyon's History
How Lanyon Began
Lanyon was started by people who moved there from Sweden. These Swedish families came to the area in the 1860s, many from Knox County, Illinois. By 1940, about 105 people lived in Lanyon.
Railroads and Community Growth
Lanyon was once on an important railroad route. This route connected Boone and Rockwell City. The Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Southern Railroad used it until the 1960s.
A train station opened in Lanyon in 1899. It was built by the Marshalltown and Dakota Railroad Company. This railway helped carry coal from mines near Fraser to other towns like Gowrie.
Over time, Lanyon grew. A Post Office opened in 1900. A local telephone company started in 1903. There was also a bank and a well company. The Lanyon Consolidated School served students until the early 1960s.
Local Church
The Evangelical Covenant Church is an important part of Lanyon's history. It was founded in 1877 and has been in Lanyon since 1909.
Education for Lanyon Students
Students in Lanyon attend schools within the Southeast Valley Community School District. This district includes the Southeast Valley Middle School in Burnside and Southeast Valley High School in Gowrie.
The Southeast Valley Community School District was formed in 2023. Before that, students went to the Prairie Valley Community School District. That district was created in 1993 from two smaller school districts.
Famous People from Lanyon
Lanyon has been home to some notable individuals:
- George E. Q. Johnson: He was a lawyer for the United States government. He was known for successfully prosecuting Al Capone for not paying his taxes.
- Jon Lindgren: He served as the mayor of Fargo, North Dakota for many years, from 1978 to 1994. He was the second longest-serving mayor in Fargo's history.
- Obed Simon Johnson: He was one of the first Westerners to learn about ancient Chinese alchemy. He also wrote a book called "A Study of Chinese Alchemy."
