Hamilton County S.E.E.D. — Population: 16,438
Hamilton County, Iowa, is a place where quality of life, abundance of natural resources and the spirit of local residents still make the American Dream possible. The rich black soil that blankets Hamilton County is the area's fundamental natural resource, providing a firm base for the area's local economies. Joined by a strong industrial community, including manufacturers of major appliances, farm chemicals, central vacuum systems and countless other items, Hamilton Country truly boasts a diversified and thriving economy, which is evident when examining the county's per capita income that ranks among the highest in Iowa.
The rebirth of Hamilton County's downtowns has been a product of hard work, dedication and enthusiasm by local residents and Hamilton County Support for Enriching Economic Development (S.E.E.D.). In 1991, Hamilton County was the first county in the nation selected to use the Main Street Approach on a countywide basis. Since then, eight Hamilton County towns--Jewell, Stanhope, Stratford, Williams, Randall, Blairsburg, Ellsworth and Kamrar--have established Main Street programs with the guidance of Hamilton County S.E.E.D. and local development corporations. These communities range in size from Randall, with a population of 148, to Jewell, with a population 1,239. Visit Hamilton County!
Hamilton County S.E.E.D.
P.O. Box 474
Webster City, Iowa 50595
phone: 515/832-9575
or 800/944-5022
fax: 515/832-9578
email: hamcseed@ncn.net
History
The first settler in Hamilton County, Jasper Bell, arrived before the county was officially organized. Bell established a homestead on the east fork of the Boone River in 1850. Other settlers followed soon after. Hamilton County began as Risley County, named for a colonel in the Mexican War. In the course of time, Risley County merged with Yell County to form Webster County; five years later, this new county was separated into what is now Hamilton and Webster Counties. Hamilton County consists of nine communities, each roughly nine miles apart on a railroad line that was built in the 1880s.
Landmarks and Unique Local Features
Downtown Buildings on the National Register of Historic Places:
- State Bank Building in Stratford
- Ye Olde Drug Store in Williams
- Des Moines River Greenbelt
Other Unique Properties:
- Hemken Collection (Museum) - Williams
- Dragoon Trail
- Shoppes on Shakespeare - Stratford
Annual Events
- March - Spring Open House - Stratford
- March - Central Iowa Toy Show - Jewell
- June - Jewell Jubilee - Jewell
- July - September - Farmers' Market - Jewell
- July - Bluegrass Festival - Stratford
- July - Christmas in July - Stratford
- October- Cruise to the Woods - Stratford
- November - Christmas Open House - Stratford
- November - Collectible and Craft Show - Jewell
- December - Tour of Homes - Stratford
- December - Tree Festival - Jewell
- December - Yule in Jewell - Jewell
- December - Christmas in the Village - Stratford
Low Interest Loan/Grant Programs & Commercial Property
For information about low interest revolving loan programs for Hamilton County's downtown business and property owners, contact Hamilton County S.E.E.D. at 515/832-9575 or 800/944-5022.
For information about available downtown commercial property, contact:
Ellsworth Development Corporation
P.O. Box 34
Ellsworth, IA 50075
Jewell Area Development Enterprise
P.O. Box 475
Jewell, IA 50130
Stratford Community Development Corporation
P.O. Box 513
Stratford, IA 50249
Local Links
Develop Hamilton County Iowa
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