Seney, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Seney, Iowa
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 Seney, Iowa
Location in Iowa
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Plymouth |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 712 |
Seney is a small, unincorporated community located in Plymouth County, in the state of Iowa in the United States. An unincorporated community is a place that doesn't have its own local government, but it still has people living there.
Contents
A Look at Seney's Past
How Seney Got Its Name
Seney was first planned and marked out on a map in 1872. It was named after George L. Seney, who was an important official for a railroad company. A post office opened in Seney in 1873 and served the community until it closed in 1934.
The Railroad Arrives
In 1872, the Sioux City and St. Paul Railroad finished building its line through the area. A train station was set up in Seney, making it an important stop along the railway. This helped the community grow.
Building the Church
In 1874, a pastor named Rev. J.T. Walker from the LeMars Methodist Church started a religious group in Seney. This group officially became a church in 1876. They first met in the local schoolhouse, which was also built in 1876.
The church building itself was constructed in 1880 and cost about $1,600. It was a wooden building, 28 feet wide and 40 feet long, and could seat about 175 people. It even had a large bell! Before the church was built, a house for the pastor (called a parsonage) was built for $450.
George L. Seney's Generosity
The church in Seney received a big donation from George L. Seney, the same person the town was named after. He was a very wealthy man and a major owner in the old St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad Company. He gave one thousand dollars towards building the church. Other local citizens also helped by donating money.
The Seney Grove
George L. Seney also tried to grow a large forest of larch trees in Seney. Larch trees are special because they are pine trees that lose their needles in the winter, just like regular trees lose their leaves! Even though some dry years made it hard, a beautiful grove of trees grew thanks to his efforts.
The Seney Grove became a famous landmark for many years. People from all around enjoyed its beauty. The Seney church used the grove for many fun events, including:
- Sunday school and church picnics
- Fourth of July celebrations with food stands, baseball games, and patriotic shows
- A Christmas manger scene with life-sized figures and lights
