IAGenWeb Project

Hamilton County IAGenWeb


North Skunk Grove, Iowa - A Hamilton County Settlement

By Martin E. Nass

Transcribed for the IAGenWeb Project by Janelle Martin, with permission of Martin "Ed" Nass.

North Skunk Grove - This was never more that a stagecoach stop. It is located just east of what is now called the Boonedocks, at the intersection of Interstate 35 and U. S. Highway 20. The location was at NE Sec. 6-88-23 of Rose Grove Township.

Previously the first stagecoach came into Webster City by way of Randall, Lakin's Grove, and Skunk Grove (later renamed Rose Grove.) Later the stagecoach came into Webster City by way of Alden, Hawley, and Skunk Grove. This necessitated a swing south to match up with Skunk Grove, so for a short time the stage took this longer route.

In 1865 the North Skunk Grove stagestop was created along the direct line from Alden to North Skunk Grove, and then to Hawley and into Webster City crossing the river at the Dubuque Street bridge, now named the Bank Street bridge. This shortened the previous route by 11 miles. The settlement has appeared on only one map, dated to 1868, which was found in the State Historical Library in Des Moines.

When the train arrived in Webster City in 1869, the need for North Skunk Grove disappeared.


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