Long Grove, Iowa
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Long Grove is a city located in Scott County, Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 597.
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Geography
Long Grove is located at 41°41'49" North, 90°35'6" West (41.696806, -90.584974)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.2 km² (0.8 mi²). 2.2 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Education
Long Grove is part of the North Scott School District, based in nearby Eldridge. Elementary-aged students from the city and adjoining nearby areas attend Alan Shepard Elementary (named after the astronaut, and opened in 1967). Junior high and high school students are sent to Eldridge to attend North Scott Junior High and North Scott High School, respectively.
Culture
The town's annual celebration represents Long Grove's claim to fame: The Strawberry Festival. Held the first Sunday each June, area strawberry farmers sell strawberries, other produce and crafts at merchant booths throughout town. Strawberry shortcake, ice cream and food is available throughout the day. Other activities include a parade, a fun run for children, a re-enactment of a 1921 bank robbery (in which the two suspects were killed) and numerous other activities. A street dance takes place on Saturday evening, the day before the festival, as the unofficial kick-off to the event.
Another attraction is the Alexander Brownlie Sod House, on the city's north side. The sod house was built by the Brownlie Brothers dates from Iowa's prairie days of the 1830s. The house, which is open for tours, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Located approximately six miles north and east of Long Grove is the Dan Nagle Walnut Grove Pioneer Village, at the north edge of Scott County Park. The village, a re-creation of an 1860s Scott County cross-roads settlement and stage coach, is made up of 18 historic buildings including an old church, a bank, a train depot and boardwalk of shops. Numerous events are scheduled throughout the year.
Scott County Park, by the way, is a 1,280-acre county park that offers numerous ammenities and camping facilities.
Civic/Government
Long Grove has a mayor-council form of government, and meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at city hall. The city also has fire and police protection.
Also representing town interests are:
- A park board, which has raised funds for new playground equipment and beautifying the city's parks. Meetings are the second Thursday of each month.
- Plan and Zone Commission, which meets on the third Monday of each month.
Organizations include the Lion Grove Lions Club, the Long Grove Civic League, the Long Grove Sportsman's Club and the Cub Scouts.
History
Long Grove gets its name from the long, narrow strip of timber, which stretched from Walnut Grove (northeast of where Scott County Park now lies) to Allens Grove, several miles to the northwest.
Alexander and James Brownlie came to the area in August 1838, having followed the Mississippi River to the mouth of the Wapsipinicon River, then west along its banks. The two purchased a nearby timber ridge from a man named coats, settling the claim for $160 plus timberland and all the prairie they wished to own. The first log cabin was built shortly thereafter, in a cluster of trees at the east edge of the timber, just south of the original town.
A stage road, from Davenport to DeWitt and Dubuque passed through the village and a blacksmith shop and harness shop once lined the streets.
In the late 1860s, the railroad was extended from Davenport to Long Grove. The town, which had not been platted, was finally platted in the 1890s, though on a very loose basis.
The most infamous incident in the city's history took place in December 1921, with the robbery of the Stockman's Savings Bank. Stories varied on what happened, but what is known for sure is that the two suspects were killed by a posse immediately after they attempted to hold up the bank.
The town remained a quiet farming community for many years, but has seen modern growth in the past 35 years. Along with the opening of Alan Shepard Elementary School, many new homes have been built on all four sides of the town.
Churches
Churches located in or near Long Grove are:
- Long Grove Christian Church.
- St. Ann's Catholic Church, two miles north of the city limits.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 597 people, 205 households, and 175 families residing in the city. The population density is 274.4/km² (707.2/mi²). There are 208 housing units at an average density of 95.6/km² (246.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 99.66% White, 0.00% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. 0.17% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 205 households out of which 46.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.5% are married couples living together, 6.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 14.6% are non-families. 12.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.91 and the average family size is 3.18.
In the city the population is spread out with 31.2% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 104.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $65,250, and the median income for a family is $68,125. Males have a median income of $44,821 versus $30,156 for females. The per capita income for the city is $23,041. 2.1% of the population and 1.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 0.5% of those under the age of 18 and 8.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
Template:Mapit-US-cityscale Template:Http://www.longgroveia.org/ City of Long Grove, Iowa Template:Http://stannslonggrove.org/aboutus.htm St. Ann's Catholic Church