Port Allen, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Port Allen, Iowa
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 Port Allen, Iowa
Location in Iowa
Port Allen, Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Muscatine |
| Elevation | 607 ft (185 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 319 |
| GNIS feature ID | 465523 |
Port Allen is a small place in Iowa, United States. It's not a big city or a town with its own government. Instead, it's called an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and buildings that are part of a larger county, not a separate town. Port Allen is found right on the border between Louisa County and Muscatine County, along Iowa Highway 70.
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Discovering Port Allen, Iowa
Port Allen is an interesting example of how places change over time. It was once planned to be a busy, important town. Today, it is mostly a quiet area with homes.
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An "unincorporated community" is a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own official town government. Instead, the county government takes care of things like roads, police, and fire services. Port Allen is an example of this kind of community. It means the people living there are part of Muscatine County.
A Look Back at Port Allen's History
Long ago, Port Allen was planned to be a busy town. It was "platted" in 1871 by a person named Cyril Carpenter. To "plat" a town means to draw up a map that shows where the streets, lots, and public areas will be. This was the first step in creating a new community. At one point, Port Allen was a thriving place, meaning it was growing and doing well.
Port Allen Today
Over time, Port Allen changed. While it was once a busy town, today it is mainly a "housing subdivision." This means it's an area with many homes built close together, often with similar designs. It's a quiet residential area rather than a bustling town center.
