Atkins, Iowa
Atkins Watermelon Days is held in August.
Located a quick 10-minute drive from Cedar Rapids, Atkins is a rapidly growing community located two miles north of Highway 30 on 33rd Avenue (County Road W28). Its close proximity to Cedar Rapids has brought many new residents, with the population jumping from 673 ten years ago to more than 1,600 today. In the last five years alone, 112 new homes were built in the city’s four housing subdivisions.
Atkins was settled in 1881 as the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad pushed westward. Local freight and passenger service to Marion and Cedar Rapids was established the following year.
Early German settlers disliked the city’s original name of Hague. Some called the town Poker Flat because a local storekeeper warmed beer he sold in the winter with a red-hot poker, which gave the drink an odd “flat” taste. In 1882, the Milwaukee Land Co. officially named the community Atkins in honor of a railroad supervisor.
When the railroad moved its division point from Marion to Atkins in 1915, the town grew from a few scattered stores and homes to a bustling business and farming community.
The last freight train whistled through Atkins in 1978, but local service continued weekly until 1980. The railroad left in 1982, at which time the tracks were abandoned.
ATKINS NOW
Today’s explosive growth in population has brought Atkins infrastructure and community improvements. A new $2.5 million water treatment plant is expected to be online this summer, and a capital campaign is in progress for construction of a new public library and city hall.
As part of the Benton Community School District, Atkins Elementary School serves more than 250 preschool through fourth grade students from Atkins, Newhall and surrounding areas. The school is expanding with the addition of six new preschool and kindergarten classrooms ready for occupancy this fall. Construction will begin this year on another new addition that will house a media center, computer lab and office space.
Atkins largest community celebration is Watermelon Days, celebrated annually the first Saturday in August. This year’s festivities are set for Aug. 7. Sponsored by the Atkins Community Club, Watermelon Day events include a parade, watermelon eating and seed spitting contests and games for all.
Eastern Iowa’s largest agri-tourism business is located just north of Atkins at 3260 69th St. Bloomsbury Farm is open for field trips May through August and kicks into high gear for autumn activities during the Halloween season. Owners Dave and Karen Petersen offer a full array of fall fun, including a 10-acre haunted corn maze and barn with state-of-the-art special effects, hayrack rides, children’s games, pumpkin patch and dozens of other attractions.
A number of smaller businesses provide Atkins residents many valuable services, from auto repair to tech services.
The community boasts a city park at 320 Second Ave. It is equipped with an enclosed, heated pavilion that’s become a popular meeting spot for senior citizens and other groups. The park also features a shaded picnic area and a playground.
Nature lovers will find a walking trail at the Roundhouse area on the northeast corner of Atkins. The trail provides the perfect vantage point to watch the area’s abundant wildlife.
For more information about Atkins, call City Hall at (319) 446-7870 or visit www.cityofatkins.com.
The Atkins Public Library at 84 Main Ave. is also a source of community information and can be reached at (319) 446-7676. Hours for City Hall and the library are listed below.
ATKINS CITY COUNCIL
Mayor David Becker - Terms ends 12/2011
Brian Cruise - Term ends 12/2011
David Duball - Term ends 12/2011
Tim Harbach - Term ends 12/2011
Diane Herman - Term ends 12/2011
Kevin Korsmo - Term ends 12/2011
The mayor and council are elected to two-year terms. Council meetings are the first and third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the park pavilion at 320 Second Ave. Meetings are open to the public. To be on the agenda, contact the city clerk at (319) 446-7870 by noon of the Friday preceding the meeting.
Atkins City Hall is located at 111 First St. The mailing address is P.O. Box 171, Atkins, IA, 52206-0171. City Hall hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. City Hall can be reached at (319) 446-7870 or by fax at (319) 446-6003.
Water bills are due and payable by the 15th of each month at City Hall or at Atkins Savings Bank, 97 Main Ave.
To rent the Atkins City Park Pavilion, call (319) 446-7676.
ATKINS CITY STAFF
Dick Lange, City Clerk - (319) 446-7870
Mike Jennings, Public Works
Todd Damon, Public Works
Don Hoskins, City Attorney
(319) 377-2022
PUBLIC SAFETY
For emergencies call 911
Police – Benton County Sheriff’s Department
113 E. Third St., Vinton, IA
(319) 472-2337
Atkins Fire Department
91 Railroad St.
Atkins, IA 52206
(319) 446-7400
Fire Chief – Gary Lange
UTILITY INFORMATION
Water/sewer – City of Atkins (319) 446-7870
Electric – Alliant Energy, (800) 822-4348
Natural Gas – MidAmerican Energy (888) 427-5632
Phone Service – Atkins Telephone Co. (319) 446-7331
Cable Television – Atkins Cablevision Inc. (319) 446-7616
Trash and Recycling – Waste Management (800) 542-8392
EDUCATION
Benton Community School District
Administrative Offices
304 First St., Van Horne, IA 52346
(319) 228-8702
Benton Community High School/Middle School
600 First St., Van Horne, IA 52346
(319) 228-8701
Atkins Elementary School
217 Fourth Ave., Atkins, IA 52206
(319) 446-7525
Norway Elementary
100 School Drive, Norway, IA 52318
(319) 227-7142
Central Lutheran School
310 Third St. West, Newhall, IA 52315-0190
(319) 223-5271
SERVICES
U.S. Post Office: 87 Main Ave. (319) 446-7272. Window hours: Monday through Friday, 8:15 to noon and 2 to 4:15 p.m. Saturday, 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. Lobby open 24 hours.
Atkins Public Library: 84 Main Ave. (319) 446-7676. Internet access. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon, 2 to 6 p.m.; Wednesday 2 to 6 p.m. (summer); Friday, 2 to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church
121 Main Ave.
(319) 446-7196 or (319) 981-6060
WHERE TO WORSHIP IN ATKINS
Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church
121 Main Ave.
(319) 446-7196
Rev. Mike Andrew
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church – LCMS
303 Third Ave.
(319 446-7675
Rev. Douglas Woltemath
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