Shenandoah, Iowa

Shenandoah, Iowa
City
Downtown Shenandoah Sign
Location of Shenandoah, Iowa
Coordinates: 40°45′30″N95°22′19″W / 40.75833°N 95.37194°W / 40.75833; -95.37194
Country	United States
State	Iowa
Counties	Page Fremont
Area [1]
• Total	3.73 sq mi (9.67 km2)
• Land	3.73 sq mi (9.67 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [2]	1,004 ft (306 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,925
• Density	1,319.31/sq mi (509.44/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	51601-51603
Area code	712
FIPS code	19-72525
GNIS feature ID	2395872 [2]
Website	www.shenandoahiowa.net

Shenandoah is a city in Page and Fremont counties in Iowa, United States. The population was 4,925 at the time of the 2020 U.S. Census. ^[3] Once referred to as the "seed and nursery center of the world," Shenandoah is the home to Earl May Seed Company and the radio station KMA, founded by Earl E. May. ^[4] The early live radio stations gave many performers their start, including The Everly Brothers and Charlie Haden.

History

Shenandoah, originally known as Fair Oaks, was platted in 1870, shortly after the arrival of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad into the neighborhood. Its name is derived from the local valley's resemblance to the Shenandoah Valley, in Virginia. ^[5]

In 1885, a smallpox epidemic in Shenandoah prompted the closing of schools, and the cancellation of church services and public meetings. Quarantine orders were established for households with smallpox, and guards were posted outside affected homes. ^[6] On June 11, J.C. Wilson was employed as quarantine officer. During this time, Shenandoah musician W.F. Strong composed a piano arrangement called "Quarantine Polka". ^[7]

Geography

Shenandoah is located along Fourmile Creek near its confluence with the East Nishnabotna River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.75 square miles (9.71 km²), all of it land. ^[8]

Climate

Climate data for Shenandoah, Iowa (1991–2020, extremes 1918–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	69 (21)	78 (26)	90 (32)	94 (34)	99 (37)	106 (41)	112 (44)	113 (45)	105 (41)	97 (36)	84 (29)	73 (23)	113 (45)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	56.3 (13.5)	62.4 (16.9)	76.1 (24.5)	85.9 (29.9)	91.0 (32.8)	94.3 (34.6)	96.8 (36.0)	95.8 (35.4)	92.9 (33.8)	87.0 (30.6)	72.0 (22.2)	60.0 (15.6)	98.4 (36.9)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	33.4 (0.8)	38.7 (3.7)	51.6 (10.9)	63.7 (17.6)	73.8 (23.2)	83.3 (28.5)	86.9 (30.5)	85.2 (29.6)	79.0 (26.1)	66.3 (19.1)	50.7 (10.4)	37.9 (3.3)	62.5 (16.9)
Daily mean °F (°C)	23.5 (−4.7)	28.4 (−2.0)	40.4 (4.7)	51.8 (11.0)	63.2 (17.3)	73.2 (22.9)	76.8 (24.9)	74.6 (23.7)	66.7 (19.3)	53.9 (12.2)	40.1 (4.5)	28.5 (−1.9)	51.8 (11.0)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	13.7 (−10.2)	18.0 (−7.8)	29.3 (−1.5)	39.9 (4.4)	52.5 (11.4)	63.1 (17.3)	66.7 (19.3)	64.0 (17.8)	54.5 (12.5)	41.6 (5.3)	29.4 (−1.4)	19.1 (−7.2)	41.0 (5.0)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−8.0 (−22.2)	−1.6 (−18.7)	8.5 (−13.1)	23.9 (−4.5)	37.0 (2.8)	50.2 (10.1)	55.4 (13.0)	52.7 (11.5)	38.3 (3.5)	24.8 (−4.0)	12.5 (−10.8)	−1.6 (−18.7)	−11.7 (−24.3)
Record low °F (°C)	−26 (−32)	−29 (−34)	−22 (−30)	8 (−13)	26 (−3)	36 (2)	41 (5)	38 (3)	23 (−5)	15 (−9)	−8 (−22)	−26 (−32)	−29 (−34)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.92 (23)	1.21 (31)	2.06 (52)	3.34 (85)	6.16 (156)	5.53 (140)	4.36 (111)	3.77 (96)	3.02 (77)	2.84 (72)	1.76 (45)	1.40 (36)	36.37 (924)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	7.0 (18)	7.5 (19)	2.8 (7.1)	1.2 (3.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.6 (1.5)	1.5 (3.8)	5.8 (15)	26.4 (67)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	5.1	5.9	7.0	9.8	11.9	10.2	9.5	8.6	7.3	7.5	5.7	5.3	93.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	3.3	3.0	1.2	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	0.8	2.3	11.2
Source: NOAA [9] [10]

Demographics

Historical populations

Year	Pop.	±%
1880	1,387	—
1890	2,440	+75.9%
1900	3,573	+46.4%
1910	4,976	+39.3%
1920	5,255	+5.6%
1930	6,502	+23.7%
1940	6,846	+5.3%
1950	6,938	+1.3%
1960	6,567	−5.3%
1970	5,968	−9.1%
1980	6,274	+5.1%
1990	5,572	−11.2%
2000	5,546	−0.5%
2010	5,150	−7.1%
2020	4,925	−4.4%
Source: "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved March 28, 2020. and Iowa Data Center Source: U.S. Decennial Census [11] [3]

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 5,150 people, 2,310 households, and 1,366 families living in the city. The population density was 1,373.3 inhabitants per square mile (530.2/km²). There were 2,611 housing units at an average density of 696.3 per square mile (268.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.4% White, 0.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0%. ^[12]

Of the 2,310 households 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 37.0% of households were one person and 19% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age was 44.4 years. 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.5% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 23% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 5,546 people, 2,421 households, and 1,486 families living in the city. The population density was 1,599.6 inhabitants per square mile (617.6/km²). There were 2,645 housing units at an average density of 762.9 per square mile (294.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.91% White, 0.11% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.72% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.72%. ^[13]

Of the 2,421 households 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 34.2% of households were one person and 17.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.84.

Age spread: 22.4% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 23.1% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.

The median household income was $29,435 and the median family income was $39,110. Males had a median income of $31,657 versus $18,588 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,301. About 11.0% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.9% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

Tarkio Sloths

Recent excavations of at least three Jefferson's ground sloths, Megalonyx jeffersonii , have been coordinated by the Iowa Museum of Natural History along West Tarkio Creek near Shenandoah. ^[14]

Minor league baseball

Shenandoah was home to minor league baseball. The Shenandoah Pin Rollers played as members of the Class D level Southwest Iowa League in 1903 and Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas League (MINK) in 1910 and 1911.^{[ citation needed ] [15]}

Media

The Southwest Iowa Harold (formerly the Valley News) Shenandoah and its neighbor city Clarinda's community newspaper. Published every Wednesday and distributed to homes throughout Page and Fremont Counties, the Southwest Iowa Harold is the community's oldest continually-operated business. Its predecessors include the award-winning Evening Sentinel. Its website can be found at valleynewstoday.com.

The radio stations KMA AM and KFNF were early pioneering radio stations attracting listeners throughout the Mid-West and drawing thousands of visitors to the city in the 1920s. The radio station KMA-FM 99.1 is in the same complex as KMA. Both stations share a simulcast, except for sporting events and other special programming.

Education

Shenandoah Community School District Operates Public Schools

Iowa Western Community College Shenandoah Campus

Transportation

Jefferson Lines provides intercity bus service in Shenandoah, on a route between Kansas City and Sioux Falls. ^[16]

Notable people

• Leanna Field Driftmier, long-time radio host (1886–1976)
• Chip Duncan, American Filmmaker (1955–Present)
• Willis Glassgow, American football player and attorney
• Charlie Haden, jazz musician (1937-2014)
• Gary Kellgren, founder of The Record Plant (Record Plant Studios) (1939-1977)
• James Ross Lightfoot, US Congressman (1938–Present)
• Bernie Masterson, Former Chicago Bears coach, (1911-1963)
• Derryl McLaren, Iowa state legislator and politician (1949–Present)
• Michael J. O'Brien, American politician in the state of Iowa, (1939–Present)
• James Pearson, Radio preacher of KFNF radio, (1873-1950)
• Agnes Samuelson, educator (1887-1963)
• Jay Scheib, theatre director (1969–Present)
• Jessie Field Shambaugh, founder of 4-H (1881-1971)
• Jessie Young (1900–1987), widely regarded as the first of the radio homemakers. ^[17]

See also

• Women's Christian Temperance Union Public Fountain

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Shenandoah, Iowa
3. "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
4. Earl May Website "Our Story" https://www.earlmay.com/our-story/
5. Kershaw, W. L. (1909). History of Page County, Iowa. S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp.  381.
6. "shenandoah_clerk_records.htm". genealogytrails.com. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
7. "Quarantine Polka, originally composed in 1885 by W.F. Strong during a smallpox quarantine and arrang - Woodwind Quartet - Digital Sheet Music". www.sheetmusicplus.com. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
8. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
9. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
10. "Station: Shenandoah, IA". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 11, 2012.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
14. The Tarkio Valley Sloth Project, "The Tarkio Valley Sloth Project · Project Summary". Archived from the original on January 1, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
15. "Shenandoah, Iowa Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
16. "Iowa Bus Stops" . Retrieved September 28, 2023.
17. Birkby, Evelyn (1991). "Jessie Young". Neighboring on the Air : Cooking with the KMA Radio Homemakers. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press. pp. 38–39. ISBN   0-87745-316-0.
    • Zanger, Mark (2003). The American History Cookbook . Westport, CN: Greenwood Press p. 386. ISBN   978-1-57356-376-5.
    • Howes, Durward, ed. (1937). American Women : The Official Who's Who Among the Women of the Nation, Vol. II (1937-38) . Los Angeles, CA: American Publications, Inc. p. 763. OCLC   435906904.

External links

• Shenandoah's Chamber of Commerce Homepage
• Shenandoah Chamber of Industry Homepage
• The Valley News, Shenandoah and world news
• KMA, News and radio