Blairstown, Iowa
Blairstown Community Center
Storekeeper, miner, railroad builder and millionaire John Insley Blair founded the community of Blairstown in 1862. Located four miles south of Highway 30 on County Road V66, Blairstown is one of several cities along the rail line bearing its founder’s name.
Lots were donated to settlers who wanted to move to the new village. By the end of 1862, 11 families called Blairstown “home.” The railroad and wagons brought more settlers to the flourishing community at the end of the Civil War. By 1868 Blairstown’s population had reached 1,100.
The city was a grain shipping center in its early days, drawing customers from miles around. Blairstown was also well known for its strawberry and grape crops. Many grape growers destroyed their vines during prohibition, afraid the crops were being used for wine production.
With the founding in 1881 of nearby Keystone and Van Horne, business in Blairstown began to suffer and its population dipped to 600.
Area students were educated at Blairstown school from 1858 to 1982. The district joined the Benton Community School District in 1964. Area students also attend Central Lutheran School in Newhall.
BLAIRSTOWN TODAY
Just a 20-minute drive west of Cedar Rapids, Blairstown boasts new housing developments, its own ambulance service and a volunteer fire department, proud accomplishments for a community of 682 residents.
Local citizens support a wide array of thriving Blairstown businesses, from eateries to florists to contractors.
Fiberight LLC last fall purchased the former Xethanol production facility in Blairstown and is in the process of converting it to produce ethanol from municipal solid waste at a demonstration scale.
The last decade has brought several improvements to this southern Benton County community. The crown jewel is the $1.5 million community building built in 2004. It is home to City Hall, the Blairstown Public Library, a community room with full kitchen and a gym.
Motorists are sure to appreciate the major street reconstruction project undertaken on the city’s main thoroughfares in 2008-09.
Blairstown offers several recreational locations. The city park on Benton Street welcomes visitors to enjoy a leisurely day of relaxation. The park is equipped with a shelter, picnic tables and playground.
The ballpark at 100 Cedar St. SE also offers a shelter with picnic tables, as well as a rolle bolle court and two ball diamonds.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find Hannen Park, just a few miles southwest of Blairstown, a perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors. Operated by the Benton County Conservation Board, Hannen Park features a 45-acre lake with beach, swimming and picnic areas, hiking, fishing, camping, playground, shelter house and shower facilities. A park ranger is in residence. To reach the park, take County Road E66 west of Blairstown, turn south on 19th Avenue to the Benton-Iowa County road, then drive east.
Blairstown pulls out all the stops every Labor Day weekend to host its three-day Sauerkraut Days festival. Sponsored by the Blairstown Lions Club, Sauerkraut Days is chock-full of activities for the whole family. The fun begins with a demo derby on Friday and continues through Monday with activities that include a parade, free sauerkraut and wieners, a car show, games, dances, food and entertainment. The event draws hundreds to Blairstown every Labor Day and is a great way to bid summer farewell.
For more information about Blairstown, contact City Hall at (319) 454-6931 or the Blairstown Public Library at (319) 454-6497.
BLAIRSTOWN CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Ed Rhinehart
Terms ends Dec. 31, 2011
Nick Mokas
Term ends Dec. 31, 2011
Scott Metz
Term ends Dec. 31, 2011
Jay Fisher
Term ends Dec. 31, 2013
Wes Wauters
Term ends Dec. 31, 2013
Gary Bierschenk
Term ends Dec. 31, 2013
The mayor is elected to a two-year term and council members to four-year terms. Council meetings are held the second Monday of each month at the Blairstown Community Center, 305 Locust St. NW, at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to the public. To be on the agenda, contact the city clerk at (319) 454-6931 by the Thursday preceding the meeting.
Blairstown City Hall is located at 305 Locust St NW. The mailing address is P.O. Box 270, Blairstown, IA, 52209. City Hall hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday. City Hall can be reached at (319) 454-6931.
Water bills are due by the 20th of each month at City Hall or at Benton County State Bank, 212 Locust St. NE.
BLAIRSTOWN CITY STAFF
Brian McNulty, City Clerk
(319) 454-6931
Email: bcity@netins.net
Steve Metz, Streets and Water Superintendent
(319) 454- 6290
Beth Crow, Library Director
(319) 454-6497
John Wagner, City Attorney
(319) 622-3357
PUBLIC SAFETY
For emergencies call 911
Blairstown Ambulance
205 Main St. NE
Blairstown, IA 52209
(319) 454-0078
Blairstown Fire Department
109 Spruce St. NW
Blairstown, IA 52209
(319) 454-6922
Fire Chief – Steve Metz
Police – Benton County Sheriff’s Department
113 E. Third St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 472-2337
UTILITY INFORMATION
Water/sewer – City of Blairstown (319) 454-6931
Electric/gas – Alliant Energy (800) 822-4348
Phone Service, Cable television, Internet – Coon Creek Telecommunications (888) 823-6234
Trash and Recycling – Herb’s Garbage Hauling (319) 472-4488.
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
Keystone Elementary School
280 Fourth St.
Keystone, IA 52249
(319) 442-3221
Norway Elementary School
100 School Drive
Norway, IA 52318
(319) 227-7142
Van Horne Elementary
101 Third Ave.
Van Horne, IA 52346
(319) 228-8701
Central Lutheran School
310 Third St. W.
Newhall, IA 52315-0190
(319) 223-5271
SERVICES
U.S. Post Office: 311 Locust St. NW (319) 454-6543. Window hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 11 a.m., 1 to 4:15 p.m.; Saturday, 8 to 8:45 a.m. Lobby open 24 hours.
Blairstown Public Library: 305 Locust St. NW, Ste. 2 (319) 454-6497. Story Line (319) 454-6468. Wireless Internet access, fax, genealogy room. Hours: Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 1 to 6 p.m.; Wednesday, 1 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Meals on Wheels
Loretta Vogt (319) 454-6459 or Belle Plaine Senior Dining (319) 444-3135
WHERE TO WORSHIP IN BLAIRSTOWN
Calvary United Methodist Church
105 Prospect St. NW.
(319) 228-8364
Rev. Norman Bennett
Associate Pastor Jena Manchester
Email: peaceump@netins.net
First Presbyterian Church
109 Prospect St. NE
(319) 454-6315
Grace Lutheran Church – LCMS
100 Locust St. NE
(319) 454-6941
Rev. David Rempfer
St. John Catholic Church
105 West St. NW
(319) 228-8131
Event Line: 1-866-854-7555 Ext. 306
Rev. Jack McClure
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