Clarke County IA
Welcome to Clarke County IA please check back
frequently because we update all the time!
Welcome to Clarke County IA please check back
frequently because we update all the time!
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Nestled in the heart of Iowa, Clarke County stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of American history and the breathtaking beauty of the Midwest's natural landscapes. From its inception in the mid-19th century to the present day, Clarke County has woven a rich tapestry of historical significance and scenic charm.
The historical roots of Clarke County stretch back to January 13, 1846, marking its establishment as a significant part of Iowa's development. Named after James Clarke, a Governor of the Iowa Territory, the county has been a silent witness to the ebbs and flows of American history. The first courthouse, a two-story wooden structure in Osceola, laid the foundation of the county's administrative and legal heritage, evolving over the years into the modern structure that now graces the town square. This deep-seated history provides a tangible connection to the past, allowing residents and visitors alike to step back in time and appreciate the journey of this remarkable region.
Complementing its rich history is Clarke County's stunning natural beauty. The county unfolds over 432 square miles, a tapestry of lush landscapes that beckon nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The land, predominantly rural, is dotted with picturesque parks, rivers, and trails that offer serene escapes and adventurous explorations. From the gentle flow of its rivers to the expansive greenery that stretches across its parks, Clarke County is a celebration of nature's tranquility and splendor.
At the heart of Clarke County's charm is its cultural diversity and community harmony. The county, though modest in population, is a melting pot of cultures and traditions. This diversity is showcased through local festivals that color the calendar, vibrant arts that enrich the community, and educational institutions that serve as the bedrock of learning and cultural exchange. These elements weave together to create a community tapestry that is as harmonious as it is diverse, reflecting the true spirit of American inclusivity and unity.
Clarke County is more than just a destination; it's a journey into the heart of Iowa's heritage and natural beauty. It beckons travelers and residents to immerse themselves in its history, explore its picturesque landscapes, and become part of a community where diversity and harmony coexist beautifully. Whether you're a history buff, nature enthusiast, or someone seeking a peaceful retreat, Clarke County offers a unique blend of past and present, nature and culture, serenity and adventure.
As you consider your next travel destination or a place to call home, remember these key highlights of Clarke County:
- Year Founded: 1846
- Population: 9,748 (as of 2020)
- Land Area: 432 sq mi (1,120 km²)
- Water Area: 0.6 sq mi (2 km²)
In the embrace of its historical roots and the beauty of its natural surroundings, Clarke County stands as a shining example of Iowa's enduring charm and a welcoming haven for all who visit.
Year Established
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In the heart of Osceola, Iowa, stands a house that is not just a structure but a piece of living history. The J.V. Banta House, an architectural marvel, has been a silent guardian of stories and a testament to the artistic sensibilities of the early 20th century. Nestled at 222 McLane Street, this house is more than just an address; it's a journey into the past.
The story of the J.V. Banta House begins with J.V. Banta and his wife Lillie, who moved from Vinton to Osceola in 1868. Banta, a man of many talents – an attorney, a banker, and a land speculator – founded the J. V. Banta Abstract and Loan Company. The couple wasn't just known for their professional accomplishments but also for their philanthropy, deeply engrained in the local community fabric.
Their home, designed by the Knoxville, Tennessee-based mail-order architectural firm George F. Barber and Company, stands as a testament to the Queen Anne style of architecture. It's a style characterized by its asymmetry, decorative excess, and eclectic mix of other architectural elements. What makes this house even more special is that it appears to be Design No. 10 from Barber's 1899 catalog titled "Modern Dwellings and Their Proper Construction." This design, while found in other states, is the only known existing example in Iowa, making the J.V. Banta House a unique architectural specimen in the region.
Constructed in 1902 by local master builders Dan Webster and Jap Smith, the house is a 2½-story frame structure set on a sturdy limestone foundation. Its layout is irregular, a common trait in Queen Anne architecture, and it's crowned with a hipped roof. The house showcases a blend of styles - the Syrian arch, reminiscent of the Richardsonian Romanesque style, and a round arched and bay window on the east side, reflecting the Colonial Revival style. This architectural harmony creates a visual spectacle that has stood the test of time.
The house remained a family residence for over eight decades, retaining its original charm and grandeur. In 1983, the same year the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it transitioned from a family home to a historic monument. This recognition is not just about preserving a structure but about holding onto the stories, the craftsmanship, and the cultural significance it embodies.
The J.V. Banta House is not just a building; it's a narrative in itself. It tells the story of architectural evolution, of a family's legacy, and of a community's history. For those who walk through its doors, it offers a glimpse into a bygone era, where every wall, window, and arch has a story to tell. It stands as a proud reminder of Osceola's rich cultural and architectural heritage, inviting visitors and locals alike to admire and be inspired by its enduring beauty.
As one of the jewels in Clarke County's architectural crown, the J.V. Banta House is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, architecture, or just a beautiful story etched in stone and wood. In its rooms and hallways, the past and present converge, offering a timeless experience to all who enter its domain.
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Clarke Board Of Supervisors ● 100 S Main St # 4 ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3641
Clarke Conservation Board ● 2451 Highway 34 ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3960
Clarke County ● 144 W Jefferson St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3724
Clarke County ● 709 Furnas Dr # 1 ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3316
Clarke County 4-H Club Fair ● PO Box 39 ● Osceola ● Not Available
Clarke County Assessor ● 100 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3817
Clarke County Assessor ● Clarke County Courthouse ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3817
Clarke County Attorney ● 100 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3423
Clarke County Auditor ● 100 S Main St # 1 ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3315
Clarke County Clerk Of Courts ● 100 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-6096
Clarke County Clerk Office ● 100 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-6096
Clarke County Emergency Mgmt ● 100 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-6654
Clarke County Engineer ● 100 S Main St # 5 ● Osceola ● (641) 342-2716
Clarke County Environmental ● 100 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 223-8299
Clarke County Hospital ● 800 S Fillmore St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-2184
Clarke County Human Svc Office ● 115 N Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-6516
Clarke County Juvenile Court ● 100 S Fillmore St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-9812
Clarke County Maintenance ● 100 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-6203
Clarke County Maintenance Dept ● 1710 N Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3617
Clarke County Public Health ● 109 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3724
Clarke County Recorder ● 100 S Main St # 2 ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3313
Clarke County Sheriff ● 220 Town Line Rd ● Osceola ● (641) 342-2914
Clarke County Treasurer ● 100 S Main St # 6 ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3311
Clarke County Veteran's Affair ● 100 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-2933
Clarke Magistrate Court ● 100 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-4113
Criminal Investigation Div ● 1619 Truro Pavement ● Osceola ● (641) 342-6263
Farm Service Agency ● 709 Furnas Dr # 2 ● Osceola ● (641) 342-2162
Highway Patrol ● 1619 Truro Pavement ● Osceola ● (641) 342-2108
Job Service Of Iowa ● 2520 College Dr ● Osceola ● (641) 342-4955
Murray City Hall ● 420 Maple St ● Murray ● (641) 447-2522
Murray Public Library ● 416 Maple St ● Murray ● (641) 447-2711
Murray Volunteer Fire Dept ● 421 Maple St ● Murray ● (641) 447-3111
Natural Resources Conservation ● 709 Furnas Dr ● Osceola ● (641) 342-2917
Osceola City Administrator ● 115 N Fillmore St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3956
Osceola City Hall ● 115 N Fillmore St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-2377
Osceola Fire Dept ● 135 W Washington St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3019
Osceola Parks & Recreation ● 115 N Fillmore St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-2288
Osceola Police Dept ● 220 Town Line Rd ● Osceola ● (641) 342-2121
Osceola Public Library ● 300 S Fillmore St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-2237
Osceola Street Dept ● 604 E Washington ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3716
Osceola Waste Water Treatment ● 1986 Country Club Rd ● Osceola ● (641) 342-4363
Osceola Water Plant ● 2108 Kansas St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-2206
United County Land Hm-Auctn ● 322 S Delaware St # 200 ● Osceola ● (641) 223-8139
United States Postal Svc ● 430 Maple St ● Murray ● (641) 447-2666
United States Postal Svc ● 104 S Fillmore St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-2311
United States Postal Svc ● 202 Highway J12 ● Weldon ● (641) 445-5311
United States Postal Svc ● 610 Sigler St ● Woodburn ● (641) 342-2415
Woodburn City Hall ● 607 Sigler St ● Woodburn ● (641) 342-7198
Dollar General ● 216 S Main St ● Osceola ● (515) 442-4492
Family Dollar Dollar Tree ● 614 W Mclane St ● Osceola ● (641) 243-6032
Fareway ● 215 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3884
Gina's Cakes ● 108 E Jefferson St ● Osceola ● (641) 414-8585
Grassroots Home ● 140 W Jefferson St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-8561
Harvest Barn ● 2721 Highway 34 ● Osceola ● (641) 342-4039
Osceola Vision Ctr ● 147 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-2737
Walmart Bakery ● 2400 College Dr ● Osceola ● (641) 342-1655
Walmart Garden Ctr ● 2400 College Dr ● Osceola ● (641) 342-1650
Walmart Supercenter ● 2400 College Dr ● Osceola ● (641) 342-1650
White's Woodworking Art Gllry ● 117 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-7152
Arby's ● 105 Ariel Dr ● Osceola ● (641) 342-1400
China Star ● 101 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-1441
Family Table Restaurant ● 1610 Jeffreys Dr ● Osceola ● (641) 342-4153
Hermanos Lopez Taqueria ● 615 W Mclane St ● Osceola ● (641) 414-3520
Iron Horse Neighborhood Grill ● 123 S Main St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-4351
LA Corona ● 525 Warren Ave ● Osceola ● (641) 223-8009
Mc Donald's ● 1220 Jeffreys Dr ● Osceola ● (641) 342-3992
Miss Spenser Of Long View Farm ● 3220 Wyoming St ● New Virginia ● (641) 342-1547
Pilot Travel Ctr ● 2010 W Clay St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-8658
Pizza Hut ● 1002 Jeffreys Dr ● Osceola ● (641) 342-6009
Playa Margaritas Mexican ● 707 W Mclane St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-4900
Subway ● 1314 Jeffreys Dr ● Osceola ● (641) 342-7484
Subway ● 2010 W Clay St # 131 ● Osceola ● (641) 342-9450
Taco Bell ● 107 Ariel Dr ● Osceola ● (641) 342-4024
Tienda LA Pequena ● 103 W Washington St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-1521
Timber Ridge Country Mkt-Cttl ● 117 W Washington St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-6002
Wades Cafe ● 2787 Highway 69 ● Weldon ● (641) 445-5614
Westlake Bar & Grill ● 777 Casino Dr ● Osceola ● (877) 477-5253
Wing Street ● 1002 Jeffreys Dr ● Osceola ● (641) 342-6009
Clarke Com School ● 2081 Ivy St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-6505
Clarke Elementary School ● 231 S Kossuth St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-6320
Clarke High School ● 800 N Jackson St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-6505
Clarke Middle School ● 800 N Jackson St ● Osceola ● (641) 342-4221
Murray High School ● 216 Sherman St ● Murray ● (641) 447-2517
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