McPaul, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
McPaul, Iowa
|
|
|---|---|
 McPaul, Iowa
Location in Iowa
|
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Fremont County |
| Elevation | 287 m (941 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
McPaul is a small, unincorporated community in Fremont County, Iowa, United States. This means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own official town government or city limits. McPaul is located near the Missouri River, at the spot where County Roads J18 and L31 meet. It is about three miles west of the town of Thurman.
History of McPaul
McPaul started as a town built around a railroad. In the late 1800s, the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad had tracks that went right through McPaul. Over time, much of the area where the old town used to be is now covered by Interstate 29. Today, only a few houses are left in the original townsite. North of where McPaul once stood, you can find the McPaul State Wildlife Management Area, a place set aside for nature.
Population Changes Over Time
Like many small communities, McPaul's population changed over the years. In 1925, about 100 people lived there. By 1940, the population had decreased to 47 people.
Impact of the 2019 Floods
McPaul was greatly affected by the 2019 Midwestern U.S. floods. These floods caused a lot of water to cover the land. One family in McPaul had to wait for six months for the floodwater to finally drain away from their home. Unfortunately, their home flooded again just five days later. Even in early October of that year, the exit for McPaul off Interstate 29 was still closed because there was so much standing water. Because of the serious flooding, plans were made to offer to buy out the homes of local residents who were affected.
