Farnhamville

Farnhamville, a vibrant community in rural Iowa, was established in 1881. Rapidly growing into a bustling town, it became a central hub for local farmers, thanks in part to its cooperative. Today, Farnhamville maintains its small-town charm while showcasing its artistic side with a collection of colorful barn quilts scattered throughout the area.

City History

Before there was Farnhamville, there was a little settlement known as Hardin Creek. In fact, the community was built one-half mile south and west across the Hardin Creek bridge (on Highway 175) on a hill on the north side of the road. 

A pioneer named Robert Wyatt hauled materials there to build a grain elevator, but in the meantime W.M. Farnham and family moved to the area from Triumph, IL, and purchased the land where most of Farnhamville is now located. (History books record that Farnham paid $7 an acre for the land.)

A railway company approached Farnham about selling some of this land, because the railroad wanted to extend the line from Gowrie to Lake City and wished to add a railway station where Farnhamville is now located. A deal was completed in June 1881, and 60 acres passed into the ownership of the Western Townsite Company. 

The land was platted into business and residential lots on June 19, 1881. Within five years the booming town boasted a creamery, saloon, lumberyard, church, blacksmith shop, new homes, restaurant/boarding house, and a hotel. 

Through the years, Farnhamville became a major hub for the local farmers’ cooperative, which is now part of Landus Cooperative. Farnhamville also boasts an array of painted barn quilts, which are displayed outside the public library, residents’ garden sheds and other locations around town. 

Content written by Darcy Maulsby, Lake City, author of the history book "Calhoun County" | darcymaulsby.com