Viola Center, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Viola Center, Iowa
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Former Unincorporated community
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 Viola Center, Iowa
Location in Iowa
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Audubon |
| Elevation | 1,444 ft (440 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 712 |
| GNIS feature ID | 462582 |
Viola Center was once a small community in Audubon County, Iowa, USA. It wasn't a big town with its own government, but more like a tiny village.
It used to have a church, a high school, a post office, a general store, and even a telephone company! Over time, these places closed down. Today, only the Viola Center Cemetery remains about 1 mile north of where the community once stood.
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Where Was Viola Center Located?
Viola Center was found in Viola Township. It was about one mile south of the center of the township. You could find it where County Highway N36 and 140th Street meet. The community was also about 6 miles northeast of Ross, Iowa.
A Look Back at Viola Center's History
Viola Center had its own post office starting on March 6, 1878. This post office helped people send and receive mail until it closed on March 21, 1903. In 1887, about 50 people lived in Viola Center.
The Viola Center Church
The Viola Center Episcopal Methodist Church was built in 1887. Before the church building was ready, people gathered in other local spots for services. The church was a very important place for the community. Many events happened there, including a popular annual Christmas Tree program. In 1920, a newspaper in nearby Audubon reported that the Christmas Tree gathering was "packed to its utmost capacity," meaning it was completely full!
Schools and Learning
By 1900, Viola Center had a store, a church, and a post office. There was a school located one mile north of the community. Another school, called the Morland schoolhouse, was one mile south. The church was still active in 1930.
The Viola Center High School opened its doors in December 1906. Around 15 to 20 students attended the high school. Sadly, the high school closed in the 1950s. The building was taken down in 2020.
Telephone Services
In the early 1920s, the Coon Rapids and Viola Center Telephone Company operated in Viola Center. This company managed about 11.25 miles of telephone lines, connecting people in the area.
Population Changes
In 1915, Viola Center had 52 residents. By 1925, the population grew slightly to 69 people. Today, Viola Center is almost empty. Because of this, it is sometimes called a ghost town.
The Viola Center Cemetery
The Viola Center Cemetery is located more than a mile north of where the town used to be. Its exact location is 41°49'25'N 094°48'07'W.
