Van Horne, Iowa
A signboard in the undeveloped O’Brien Park west of Van Horne welcomes visitors to the city.
Founded in 1881 as the railroad progressed westward, Van Horne was named in honor of Chicago-Milwaukee Railroad Superintendent Sir William Cornelius Van Horne.
A limestone roundhouse was built in 1882 and accommodated up to 20 engines. The turntable operated 24 hours a day, sometimes with 10 to 16 steam locomotives in the yard at one time.
The community was described as the “New Village” two years after its founding and prospered as the railroad and its workers brought a need for goods and services.
Located three miles north of Highway 30 on County Road V66, Van Horne boasts 716 proud residents dedicated to growing their community’s economy and residential climate.
Country View Estates, a city-owned housing development, offers spacious, premium building sites. Five of the original 12 lots had been sold by late April 2010.
Local and area residents have opened several new business ventures in Van Horne in recent years, including a pharmacy/gift store and an eatery. A restaurant and a sports bar are currently in the works. Other established businesses vary from health and dental care to auto sales and service.
Van Horne citizens support a number of local service organizations, including the Van Horne Recreation Board, Van Horne Lions Club, American Legion and Auxiliary, Van Horne Businessmen, Future Green, Friends of the Van Horne Public Library and Boy and Girl Scouts.
Van Horne is home to the Benton Community High School/Middle School that serves secondary students from Atkins, Blairstown, Elberon, Keystone, Newhall, Norway, Van Horne and Watkins. Van Horne Elementary is a preschool through second grade attendance center.
The Van Horne Events Committee hosted its second annual music festival on Main Street and at the fire station Saturday, June 12. The event showcases local talent as well as professional bands and includes a children’s carnival sponsored by the Lion’s Club. The festival Web site is: www.vanhornemusicfest.com.
Other community events geared for children and sponsored by the Lions Club include an annual Easter egg hunt, Halloween and Christmas parties.
Van Horne offers several areas where residents can enjoy a leisurely escape from busy schedules.
The Van Horne Recreation Complex is located on the west side of the city and features two ball diamonds and a soccer field for recreational fun. Field lighting, a toddler playground, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts are planned for the future.
The city park, complete with shelters, picnic accommodations and playground, provides a quiet atmosphere for gatherings large and small. You will find it in the 600 block between Third and Fourth avenues.
For those wishing to hit the links, Tara Hills Country Club is a short 2.5 mile drive west of Van Horne. The 9-hole course at 1846 70th St. is open to the public Monday and Thursday, and weekends by availability. Wednesday tee offs are by noon.
For more information about Van Horne, visit the city Web site at: www.vanhorneia.govoffice3.com or contact City Hall.
VAN HORNE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Ron Donald, Term ends Dec. 31, 2011
Steve Allman, Term ends Dec. 31, 2013
Mary Rausch, Term ends Dec. 31, 2011
Jim Parmenter, Term ends Dec. 31, 2013
Marty Junge, Term ends Dec. 31, 2013
Robert Schadle, Term ends Dec. 31, 2011
The mayor is elected to a two-year term; council terms are four years. City Council meetings are held the second Monday of the month at City Hall at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public. To be on the agenda, call City Hall before noon the Friday before the meeting.
The Van Horne City Hall is located at 115 Main St. The mailing address is P.O. Box 359, Van Horne, IA 52346. Business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. City Hall can be reached at (319) 228-8238.
Water bills are due the 15th of the month. A payment drop box is available at City Hall.
VAN HORNE CITY STAFF
Linda Klopping, City Clerk
(319) 228-8238
Email: vhclerk@netins.net
Jared Vogeler, Public Works Director
Al Williams, Public Works
(319) 228-8238
Patrice Strellner, Van Horne Public Library Director
Judy Wallace, Van Horne Public Library Assistant Director
(319) 228-8744
Email: vhpl@netins.net
Larry Schlue, City Attorney
(319) 444-3285
PUBLIC SAFETY
For emergencies call 911
Police – Benton County Sheriff’s Department
113 E. Third St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 472-2337
Van Horne Fire Department
98 Main St.
P.O. Box 276
Van Horne, IA 52346
Fire Chief – Jared Vogeler
EMS
Van Horne First Responders
Non-emergency (319) 472-2337
UTILITY INFORMATION
Water – Poweshiek Water Association
(800) 543-7419
Electric/gas – Alliant Energy (800) 822-4348
Phone, Internet and Cable TV Service – Van Horne Cooperative Telephone Co. (319) 228-8791
Trash/Recycling – Herb’s Garbage Hauling (319) 472-4488. Contact City Hall for service.
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
Van Horne Elementary
101 Third Ave.
Van Horne, IA 52346
(319) 228-8701
Keystone Elementary
280 Fourth St.
Keystone, IA 52249
(319) 442-3221
Central Lutheran School
310 Third St. W.
Newhall, IA 52315-0190
SERVICES
U.S. Post Office: 118 Main St. (319) 228-8175. Window hours: Monday through Friday, 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4:15 p.m.; Saturday, 8 to 9:15 a.m. Lobby open 24 hours.
Van Horne Public Library: 114 Main St. (319) 228-8744. Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 to 11 a.m., 3:30 to 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 to 11 a.m.
WHERE TO WORSHIP IN VAN HORNE
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
405 Fourth Ave.
(319) 228-8131
Event Line: 1-866-854-7555
Rev. Jack McClure, C.PP.S.
Salem United Methodist Church
205 Third Ave.
(319) 228-8364
Rev. Norman Bennett
Email: peaceump@netins.net
St. Andrew Lutheran Church – LCMS
307 Third Ave.
(319) 228-8325
Rev. David C. Lingard
You must log in to post a comment.