Oralabor, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oralabor, Iowa
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 Oralabor, Iowa
Location in Iowa
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Polk |
| Elevation | 965 ft (294 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 515 |
| GNIS feature ID | 459877 |
Oralabor is a small, quiet place in Polk County, Iowa, United States. It is known as an "unincorporated community." This means it does not have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, the county government manages the area.
Oralabor's Past: A Mining Town
Oralabor was once a busy place, especially in the early 1900s. The main activity that kept the community going was coal mining. Miners dug deep into the earth to find coal. This coal was a very important fuel source at the time. It powered homes, factories, and even trains.
Trains and Trade
A depot for the Chicago & North Western Railway stood in Oralabor. A depot is like a train station where people and goods can get on and off trains. Having a railway line was very important for Oralabor. It helped transport the mined coal to other places. It also brought supplies and new people into the community.
What's in a Name?
The name Oralabor has an interesting story. It likely comes from a Latin phrase: "Ora Et Labora." This phrase means "to pray and work." It suggests that the people of Oralabor were hardworking and perhaps also very religious.
Population in the Past
In 1925, Oralabor was a small community. Records show that its population was 76 people. This number tells us that it was a close-knit place with not many residents.
