Unique, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Unique, Iowa
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Ghost town
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Unique as seen in 2010. The small metal sign formerly said "Unique, Iowa".
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 Unique, Iowa
Location in Iowa
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Humboldt |
| Post Office opened | April 16, 1878 |
| Elevation | 351 m (1,152 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 465624 |
Unique was a very small community, sometimes called a hamlet, in Humboldt County, Iowa, United States. Today, it is known as a "ghost town" because almost nothing is left of it.
Unique had its own post office for many years. It first opened in April 1878. It closed for a short time in September 1891. The post office reopened in April 1892 but then closed for good in January 1902.
Contents
The Story of Unique: A Small Iowa Town
People started building homes and businesses in the Unique area because they thought a railroad would be built nearby. A railroad would have brought more people and trade to the town.
Early Buildings and Community Life
The Barker School was one of the first important buildings. It was built in either 1873 or 1879. This school helped educate the children of the early settlers.
In 1878, a post office was officially opened in Unique. This was an important step for the community. It meant people could send and receive mail more easily.
In 1880, the state of Iowa decided to move the post office. It was relocated to the northeast part of the area.
A Church for the Community
There was a friendly disagreement about where to build the Methodist Church. It was between Unique and a nearby settlement called Reed's Corner. Church leaders had to help decide the best spot.
The church was finally built in 1889. It was placed just north of the Unique schoolhouse. This church became a central part of the community's life.
The School's Journey
The first school building was used for many years. In 1937, a new school building replaced the old one. However, this second school did not stay open for long. It closed its doors permanently in 1944.
Unique Today: What Remains?
Today, there isn't much left of Unique. A rusty metal sign is one of the few things you might see. This sign used to say "Unique, Iowa," but now you can barely read it.
The intersection of two county roads is often called "Unique Corner." These roads are Humboldt County Route C44 (also known as 230th Street) and Humboldt County Route P29 (Florida Avenue). Even though it's a ghost town, Unique still appears on maps. You can find it on the Iowa DOT Map and Google Maps.
Famous Person from Unique
- Roy L. Pinn, a Wisconsin politician, was born in Unique. A politician is someone who works in government.
