Ontario, Iowa facts for kids

Ontario is a small community located inside the city of Ames, in Story County, Iowa, United States. It's a part of the larger city, but it has its own interesting history!

The Story of Ontario

Early Beginnings

The first community in this area was called New Philadelphia. It was started in 1855 on the western side of Story County. This was just northwest of what is now Iowa State University.

The Railroad Arrives

A very important event happened in January 1869: the Chicago and North Western Railway built its tracks just north of New Philadelphia. A new town, complete with a train station, grew up along the railway. This new town was named Ontario. Because it was right by the train tracks, Ontario quickly became more important than New Philadelphia. It grew larger and eventually took over the older settlement.

A post office was first set up in New Philadelphia in 1858. It was renamed Ontario in 1868. This post office served the community for many years before closing in 1951. The name "Ontario" came from Ontario, Ohio. This was the hometown of an early settler named Hiram Scott.

Becoming Part of Ames

Over the years, the people of Ontario tried several times to make it an official, independent town. However, these attempts were not successful. Finally, in 1962, Ontario officially became a part of the city of Ames. This process is called "annexation," which means a larger city takes over a smaller area next to it.