Newhall, Iowa
Newhall, Iowa
The community of Newhall, located two miles north of Highway 30 on County Road W14, was another product of the railroad’s western movement in the late 1800s.
By late 1881, a blacksmith shop was in operation and a half dozen merchants eagerly waited to open their doors in the new settlement likely named for John B. Newhall, a Burlington, Iowa man who lectured in this country and abroad about the virtues of the Iowa Territory and Midwest.
Newhall had its ups and downs as time progressed. Sidewalks, telephone service and new business ventures brought desirable amenities and services. A fire brigade provided fire protection from the earliest years before a fire department organized in 1910.
The fire department was put to the test in 1916 as fire destroyed 17 Main Street businesses after a gasoline stove exploded in an apartment over the pool hall. Despite damage estimated at $100,000, several businesses and homes south and east of the business district were spared.
The Lutheran faith has had a strong presence in the Newhall area even before the city’s founding. The St. John Lutheran congregation organized in 1871. Six years later St. John’s Lutheran School was established.
Today, 886 residents call Newhall “home.” They enjoy close proximity to Cedar Rapids combined with the charm of small-town living. Residents support more than 20 local businesses that offer goods and services often found only in much larger cities.
In response to eastern Benton County’s population boom, the City of Newhall has earmarked approximately 90 acres of land on the city’s south side for future residential or commercial development.
Central Lutheran School opened in the mid-1960s when parochial students from Luzerne and Atkins joined the students of St. John’s Lutheran School. Today, Central Lutheran School serves 158 students in preschool through eighth grade.
The Central Lutheran family and staff saw a dream come true when students occupied a new addition of three classrooms, library, media center and a choir/band room in August 2008. Phase two of the school expansion got underway this spring with groundbreaking for a new gymnasium, stage, locker rooms, storage area and kitchen remodel and expansion. The expansion and kitchen remodel are expected to be complete for the start of the 2010-11 school year. The finish date for the gymnasium interior will depend upon the final cost and available funding.
Adding to Central Lutheran’s recent excitement was news earlier this year that the school won $100,000 in U.S. Cellular’s Calling All Communities campaign. Ten percent of the winnings were tithed to a variety of Lutheran-related causes suggested by each grade level. The remaining $90,000 will go toward the school construction project.
Recreation and leisure opportunities in Newhall include Main Park at 206 Third Ave., which features an enclosed pavilion, playground equipment and picnic areas. Locally funded and constructed, the pavilion opened in 2006.
West Park, at 300 Railroad St., is equipped with an open-air pavilion, kitchen, picnic tables and playground.
Tennis courts, baseball and softball fields and a walking track provide additional recreational outlets, as does the new soccer complex on Sixth Street.
For more information about Newhall, contact City Hall or the Newhall Public Library.
NEWHALL CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Brandon Thompson, Term ends Dec. 31, 2011
Mark Lnenicka, Term ends Dec. 31, 2011
Bill Much, Term ends Dec. 31, 2011
Jerry Gessner, Term ends Dec. 31, 2011
Skyler Childers, Term ends Dec. 31, 2011
Aaron Knaack, Term ends Dec. 31, 2011
The mayor and council are elected to two-year terms. Council meeting are held the second and fourth Monday of every month at City Hall at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to the public. To be on the agenda, contact the city clerk at (319) 223-5709 before 9 a.m. the Friday before the meeting.
The Newhall City Hall is located at 220 First St. East. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with extended hours the second and fourth Mondays of the month. City Hall can be reached at (319) 223-5709.
Water bills are due the 15th of every month. A payment drop box is located at City Hall.
NEWHALL CITY STAFF
Trish Gleason, City Clerk/Treasurer
(319) 223-5709
Email: newhall@southslope.net
Larry Schlue, City Attorney
(319) 444-3285
PUBLIC SAFETY
For emergencies Call 911
Newhall Volunteer Fire Department
220 Railroad St. W.
Newhall, IA 52315
(319) 223-5156
Fire Chief – Joe Veldhuizen
EMS
Newhall First Responders
220 Railroad St. W.
Newhall, IA 52315
(319) 223-5156
Director – Jane Hagen
Police – Benton County Sheriff’s Department
113 E. Third St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 472-2337
UTILITY INFORMATION
Water – City of Newhall
Electric/gas – Alliant Energy (800) 822-4348
Phone Service – Southslope Cooperative Communications (319) 626-2211
Internet/cable TV – Southslope Cooperative Communications (319) 626-2211 or Mediacom (800) 542-7898
Trash/Recycling – Herb’s Garbage Hauling. Contact City Hall.
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
217 Fourth Ave.
Atkins, IA 52206
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: 11 Main St. (319) 223-5487. Window hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1:45 to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. Lobby open 24 hours.
Newhall Public Library: 14 Main St. (319) 223-5510. Hours: Monday, 3 to 8 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 1 to 6 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 to 11 a.m.
WHERE TO WORSHIP IN NEWHALL
Central Presbyterian Church
102 Second St.
(319) 223-5249
Rev. David Snyder
St. John Lutheran Church – LCMS
310 Second St. E.
(319) 223-5593
Rev. Steven Rempfer
St. Paul’s Catholic Church
306 Third Ave.
(319) 228-8131
Event Line: 1-866-854-7555 Ext. 306
Rev. Brian Dellaert
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