Lycurgus, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lycurgus, Iowa
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 Lycurgus, Iowa
Location in Iowa
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Allamakee |
| Elevation | 1,270 ft (390 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 563 |
| GNIS feature ID | 464636 |
Lycurgus is a small, quiet community in Allamakee County, Iowa, in the United States. It's known as an "unincorporated community," which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
Contents
History of Lycurgus
The story of Lycurgus began in 1851 when the very first settler, a veteran from the Mexican War, arrived. By the 1860s, the area had grown a bit. It even had a hotel and a store.
Early Buildings and Services
The first post office in Lycurgus opened around 1852. This was a very important service for people to send and receive letters. In 1868, the post office moved to the hotel and store.
That same year, 1868, a school was built. It was made from strong, local stone. This school helped educate children in the community for many years. It stayed open until the 1960s, when smaller schools joined together into larger ones.
The Local Church
Lycurgus has also been home to a Catholic church for a long time, since about 1860. The church grounds included a rectory (where the priest lived), a cemetery, and a parish hall for community events. In 2006, the church building was closed for regular services. It became an oratory, which is a special place set aside for prayer.
Population Changes Over Time
Over the years, the number of people living in Lycurgus gradually decreased. In 1902, only 12 people lived there. The population grew to 52 by 1925. However, by 1940, the population had dropped to just 6 people.
