Oasis, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oasis, Iowa
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 Oasis, Iowa
Location in Iowa
Oasis, Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Johnson |
| Elevation | 801 ft (244 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 319 |
| GNIS feature ID | 464679 |
Oasis is a small, unincorporated community located in Johnson County, Iowa, USA. An unincorporated community means it's a place with homes and people, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Oasis is part of the larger Iowa City area.
In 2005, about 20 people lived in Oasis. You can find several homes, a cemetery, and a working grain elevator there. Oasis was once a stop for trains on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway. This old train track is now a path called the Hoover Nature Trail. This trail goes from Oasis all the way to West Branch. West of the community, you'll find the Oasis Cemetery.
Contents
A Look at Oasis History
Oasis has an interesting past, especially with its name and how people settled there.
Early Days of Oasis
The first post office in Oasis opened in 1864. For a short time in 1871, its name changed to Graham. But later that same year, it went back to being called Oasis. The post office stayed open until 1920.
First Settlers and Families
The very first settler in Graham Township, where Oasis is located, was William Jayne. He arrived in 1840. William owned land in Oasis, and so did his brother, Dr. David Jayne. Dr. Jayne was famous for his "Jayne Patent Medicine."
William Jayne's oldest son, also named William Jayne, passed away in 1897. He is buried in the Oasis Cemetery. His father, the first William Jayne, died in 1880. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. Many other members of the Jayne family are also buried there.
Population Changes Over Time
Like many small communities, the number of people living in Oasis has changed over the years. In 1902, Oasis had a population of 130 people. By 1925, the population had decreased slightly to 115 people. Today, it is a much smaller community.
