Almoral, Iowa | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 42°32′08″N 91°17′24″W / 42.53556°N 91.29000°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Iowa |
County | Delaware |
Elevation | 1,030 ft (310 m) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Area code | 563 |
GNIS feature ID | 464442[1] |
Almoral is an unincorporated community in Oneida Township, Delaware County, Iowa, United States.
The community is on county highway D13, 3.9 miles (6.3 km) north-northwest of Earlville.[2]
The first white settler in Almoral was the Reverend James H. Kasson, who arrived in 1854. In 1856, his home was purchased by Congregationalists from Massachusetts, who hoped to establish a religious commune in the area.[3]
In 1857, Kasson platted Almoral. A log cabin school and post office also opened that year. In 1858, the Almoral Institute, a high school, opened, closing in 1860. In 1871, that building became the Almoral Congregational Church. In 1872, arrangements were made where a Methodist congregation would alternate meeting every other sabbath with the Congregationalists; eventually, the Methodists moved to the congregation in nearby Earlville. A new school house replaced the original log cabin school in 1864.[3]
In 1876, a creamery opened in Almoral; a different creamery, operated by John Cruise, operated in later years.[3]
The Chicago Great Western Railroad bypassed Almoral; a rail station and post office, named Almoral Siding or Almoral Station, opened about a mile south of Almoral, circa 1898. This post office closed in 1911.[4]
In Autumn 1902, a new Almoral Congregational Church was completed, replacing the original building; the building's dedication took place on February 3, 1903.[3]
Almoral's population was 26 in 1902.[5]
The Almoral post office closed in 1902, with the introduction of rural free delivery; it reopened in 1912, and closed permanently in 1921.[6]
Almoral's population was 4 in 1940.[7]