Story City, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Story City, Iowa
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Downtown Story City
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Location of Story City, Iowa
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Story |
| Incorporated | December 12, 1881 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.75 sq mi (7.13 km2) |
| • Land | 2.75 sq mi (7.12 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,001 ft (305 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,352 |
| • Density | 1,219.05/sq mi (470.68/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
50248
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| Area code(s) | 515 |
| FIPS code | 19-75675 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0462019 |
Story City is a city in Story County, Iowa. It is located near Ames, Iowa, and is part of a larger area that includes cities like Ames and Boone. In 2020, about 3,352 people lived there. This was a small increase from the 3,228 people counted in 2000.
Contents
History of Story City
Story City was first known as Fairview. This name was used for much of its early history. In 1881, the town wanted to open a post office. They found out that another town already used the name Fairview. So, they changed the name to Story City. The new name honored Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story.
The original area of "Old Fairview" is marked by signs during the annual Scandinavian Days festival. It is in the northeast part of today's Story City. Its southern border was Broad Street.
How Story City Grew
Story City was planned out in 1878, including the Fairview area. It officially became a city in 1881. The railroad came to Story City in 1878. This connected the city to Ames and then to Des Moines.
Story City has strong historical and cultural ties to Scandinavia. Many people from Denmark, Sweden, and especially Norway moved here. A large number of the city's current residents are descendants of these immigrants. They arrived mostly between the 1840s and 1860s.
You can see this history in the many Lutheran churches in the community. In the past, ministers often gave sermons in different languages. They used Swedish, Danish, or Norwegian, depending on the people in their church.
Geography and Location
Story City is located in central Iowa. You can find its exact spot using coordinates: 42.1872062 degrees north and -93.5957713 degrees west.
The city covers about 2.80 square miles (7.25 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 331 | — | |
| 1890 | 536 | 61.9% | |
| 1900 | 1,197 | 123.3% | |
| 1910 | 1,387 | 15.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,591 | 14.7% | |
| 1930 | 1,434 | −9.9% | |
| 1940 | 1,479 | 3.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,545 | 4.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,773 | 14.8% | |
| 1970 | 2,104 | 18.7% | |
| 1980 | 2,762 | 31.3% | |
| 1990 | 2,959 | 7.1% | |
| 2000 | 3,228 | 9.1% | |
| 2010 | 3,431 | 6.3% | |
| 2020 | 3,352 | −2.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Story City in 2020
In 2020, Story City had 3,352 people living in 1,484 households. The city had about 1,219 people per square mile. Most residents (93.0%) were White. About 3.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 26.1% of households had children under 18. The average age in the city was 45.7 years. About 25.7% of residents were 65 or older. The city had slightly more females (51.9%) than males (48.1%).
Things to Do in Story City
Story City is located right on Interstate 35. It's about 45 minutes north of Des Moines. It's also just 10 minutes north of Ames, where Iowa State University is located. Along the interstate, you'll find places to shop and eat. The historic downtown area is a short drive west of I-35.
Local Businesses
Some of the main employers in Story City include Bethany Life Communities, American Packaging, Eby, and Innovative Lighting. These companies provide many jobs for the community.
Arts and Entertainment
The Story Theatre/Grand Opera House is a very old theater. It is the oldest one that has been open continuously in the Midwest. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Besides showing movies, the theater hosts plays by Judge Story's Theatrical Troupe. These shows happen during Scandinavian Days in the summer and the Yulefest Celebration in the winter.
Story City also has a special antique carousel from 1913. It was made by Herschell-Spillman. You can ride it every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day, starting at noon.
Parks and Recreation
Story City Park is next to the Skunk River. This river is a popular spot for water activities. The park is the starting point for the Skunk River Canoe Trail.
The park also has a historic swinging bridge. It was built in 1936 as part of the Works Progress Administration program. The bridge was damaged by ice in 2019.
The Skunk River Greenbelt Trail system starts just south of Story City. It's a great place for outdoor activities.
Story City has a nine-hole golf course called River Bend Golf Course. It opened in 1971. The course is 2,980 yards long and has a par of 37.
Story City is also on the western edge of the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area. This area celebrates the history of agriculture in the Midwest.
Culture and Traditions
Story City celebrates its heritage with an annual Scandinavian Days festival. This event started in 1965. It happens in the first week of June. The festival has live music, rides, and games. Visitors can experience Nordic culture through food and art.
Another event is STORY! Celebrating the Art of Storytelling. This festival is held every September.
Churches in the Area
Story City has several churches, showing its strong community ties. These include:
- Immanuel Lutheran Church (LCMC)
- St. Petri Lutheran Church (ELCA)
- Harvest Evangelical Free Church
- Grace United Methodist Church
- Church of Christ
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
- St. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church (located 7 miles southwest of Story City)
Riverside Bible Camp is also located 2 miles north of Story City.
Traditional Foods
The Nordic traditions are also seen in the local foods. Some popular foods often served in Story City include:
- Kumla: A potato dumpling made from finely cut potatoes mixed with flour. It's usually served with boiled ham, ham broth, and butter.
- Lutefisk
- Kringle
- Lefse
- Krumkake
- Rosettes
Education in Story City
The Roland–Story Community School District runs the public schools in Story City. This school district was formed in 1969. It was created when the Roland and Story City school districts joined together.
Story City is home to Roland–Story Senior High School. The school's sports teams are called the Norsemen. They compete in the Heart of Iowa conference and in Iowa High School Athletic Association sports.
Media and News
You can find local news and information about Story City through different media:
Print Media
- Story City Herald: This is a weekly newspaper.
Digital Media
- The Rocket: This offers digital media and streaming audio.
Radio Stations
- KHOI
- KHJJ
Famous People from Story City
Some notable people have connections to Story City:
- The band Radio Moscow was formed here.
- Rich Olive: A former Iowa State Senator.
- Lars Pearson: A publisher and editor-in-chief who won a Hugo Award in 2011.
- Marlene Perez: An author.
- Hank Severeid (1891–1968): A Major League Baseball catcher.
- Chris Taylor (1950–1979): He won a bronze medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
See also
In Spanish: Story City (Iowa) para niños
