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Boone, Iowa
Boone, Iowa
Boone, Iowa
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Boone (/ˈbuːn/ BOON) is a city in Des Moines Township, and county seat of Boone County, Iowa, United States.[3]

Key Information

It is the principal city of the Boone, Iowa Micropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Boone County. This micropolitan statistical area, along with the Ames, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area comprise the larger Ames-Boone, Iowa Combined Statistical Area. The population of the city was reported as 12,460 at the 2020 census.[4]

History

[edit]
Map of the Boone area from 1908, showing the railroads and coal mines (shown in red) of the region.

Coal mining played an important part in the early history of the Boone area. Local blacksmiths were already mining coal from the banks of Honey Creek south of what became Boone in 1849.[5]

Boone was platted as a town in 1865 by John Insley Blair. It was incorporated the following year, when the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company railroad station was built there. The town was originally named "Montana";[6] it was renamed to Boone in 1871.[7] The nearby town of Boonesboro was also chartered in 1866; Boonesboro was annexed to Boone in 1887.[7] The present name is a tribute to Nathan Boone, son of explorer Daniel Boone.[8]

Commercial mining was spurred by the arrival of the railroad. In 1867, Canfield and Taylor opened a mine just west of town. Their mine shaft was 242 feet deep, and they hauled coal to the railroad by wagon. In 1874, a railroad spur was built to the mine. This mine was taken over by the railroad, and operated for 30 years. There were coal seams in the Boone area; the upper vein, about 3 feet thick, was always worked using longwall mining, while the lower vein was always mined using room and pillar mining.[9] In 1912, United Mine Workers Local 869 in Boone had 554 members, close to 10% of the population at the time.[10]

The grocery chain Fareway originated in Boone. The company maintains their business offices in town also.[11]

Original Casey's store in Boone, IA as it looked in March 2022

The first Casey's General Store was founded in Boone, Iowa in 1968.[12]

Other larger businesses that have had or still maintain facilities in Boone include Gates Rubber, Heinrich Envelope, Archway Bakery, Lowe-Berry Seeds, Coca-Cola Bottling, Quinn Iron & Wire Works (now Besser Quinn Machine & Foundry), Mid-States Steel, Sunoco Products, Specialty Leather Productions, Randy's Frozen Meats, PDM Distribution, ProLiant Biologicals, APC, Thermomass Composite Tech, CDS Global, Patterson Logistics and Stoll Bottling.[13]

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.02 square miles (23.36 km2), all land.[14]

Ledges State Park is located four miles south of Boone and is a popular destination.

Climate

[edit]

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Boone has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.

Climate data for Boone, Iowa, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1904–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 68
(20) 		77
(25) 		88
(31) 		95
(35) 		110
(43) 		106
(41) 		111
(44) 		111
(44) 		103
(39) 		95
(35) 		82
(28) 		72
(22) 		111
(44)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 50.8
(10.4) 		55.6
(13.1) 		72.0
(22.2) 		82.8
(28.2) 		88.6
(31.4) 		92.4
(33.6) 		94.2
(34.6) 		92.8
(33.8) 		90.1
(32.3) 		84.0
(28.9) 		69.1
(20.6) 		54.9
(12.7) 		95.9
(35.5)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 28.2
(−2.1) 		33.3
(0.7) 		46.3
(7.9) 		60.0
(15.6) 		71.0
(21.7) 		80.7
(27.1) 		84.2
(29.0) 		82.2
(27.9) 		76.1
(24.5) 		63.2
(17.3) 		46.9
(8.3) 		33.8
(1.0) 		58.8
(14.9)
Daily mean °F (°C) 18.7
(−7.4) 		23.3
(−4.8) 		35.9
(2.2) 		48.4
(9.1) 		59.7
(15.4) 		69.6
(20.9) 		73.5
(23.1) 		71.5
(21.9) 		63.9
(17.7) 		51.0
(10.6) 		36.8
(2.7) 		24.8
(−4.0) 		48.1
(9.0)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 9.1
(−12.7) 		13.3
(−10.4) 		25.6
(−3.6) 		36.7
(2.6) 		48.5
(9.2) 		58.6
(14.8) 		62.7
(17.1) 		60.8
(16.0) 		51.7
(10.9) 		38.8
(3.8) 		26.8
(−2.9) 		15.8
(−9.0) 		37.4
(3.0)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −13.7
(−25.4) 		−8.5
(−22.5) 		4.1
(−15.5) 		21.2
(−6.0) 		33.4
(0.8) 		45.0
(7.2) 		51.8
(11.0) 		50.7
(10.4) 		36.4
(2.4) 		23.6
(−4.7) 		9.9
(−12.3) 		−5.2
(−20.7) 		−17.6
(−27.6)
Record low °F (°C) −35
(−37) 		−35
(−37) 		−22
(−30) 		−1
(−18) 		21
(−6) 		35
(2) 		40
(4) 		35
(2) 		23
(−5) 		−6
(−21) 		−11
(−24) 		−25
(−32) 		−35
(−37)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.20
(30) 		1.41
(36) 		2.26
(57) 		4.06
(103) 		5.17
(131) 		5.38
(137) 		4.80
(122) 		4.92
(125) 		3.32
(84) 		2.97
(75) 		2.08
(53) 		1.57
(40) 		39.14
(993)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 9.9
(25) 		9.3
(24) 		5.0
(13) 		1.3
(3.3) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.6
(1.5) 		1.9
(4.8) 		7.9
(20) 		35.9
(91.6)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 8.9 8.5 9.5 12.5 14.4 12.8 10.4 10.9 9.2 9.4 7.7 8.8 123
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 6.1 5.8 2.8 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.4 5.2 22.6
Source 1: NOAA[15]
Source 2: National Weather Service[16]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18803,330—
18906,52095.8%
19008,88036.2%
191010,34716.5%
192012,45120.3%
193011,886−4.5%
194012,3734.1%
195012,164−1.7%
196012,4682.5%
197012,4680.0%
198012,6021.1%
199012,392−1.7%
200012,8033.3%
201012,661−1.1%
202012,460−1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[17][4]
The population of Boone, Iowa from US census data
The population of Boone, Iowa from US census data

2020 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2020,[18] there were 12,460 people, 5,410 households, and 3,228 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,371.6 inhabitants per square mile (529.6/km2). There were 5,935 housing units at an average density of 653.3 per square mile (252.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.8% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 2.6% of the population.

Of the 5,410 households, 26.9% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 7.1% were cohabitating couples, 27.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 20.2% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 40.3% of all households were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 41.2 years. 24.0% of the residents were under the age of 20; 5.1% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 and 44; 25.3% were from 45 and 64; and 20.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

2010 census

[edit]

At the 2010 census,[19] there were 12,661 people, 5,380 households and 3,278 families living in the city. The population density was 1,403.7 inhabitants per square mile (542.0/km2). There were 5,917 housing units at an average density of 656.0 units per square mile (253.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.7% White, 0.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 5,380 households, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.1% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.

The median age was 38.1 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25% were from 25 to 44; 26.1% were from 45 to 64; and 16.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

2000 census

[edit]

At the 2000 census,[20] there were 12,803 people, 5,313 households and 3,363 families living in the city. The population density was 1,433.9 inhabitants per square mile (553.6/km2). There were 5,585 housing units at an average density of 625.5 units per square mile (241.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.34% White, 0.32% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.87% of the population.

There were 5,313 households, of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.94.

24.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.

The median household income was $43,256. Males had a median income of $32,106 and females $22,119. The per capita income was $22,611. About 5.4% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

[edit]

Boone is located on U.S. Route 30. The original Lincoln Highway ran through the center of town, but a new four-lane highway was built in the late 1960s that bypassed the center of Boone to the south. There is also a network of paved country roads radiating out in all directions.

Boone is served by the mainline of the Union Pacific, which purchased the Chicago & North Western Railroad (C&NW) in 1995. Boone was a division and crew change point on the railroad under the Chicago & North Western and some of that business remains today. There is a moderate-sized rail yard to the east of the downtown area. The locomotives no longer sound their horns in the town proper due to modifications to the various points where streets intersect with the rail line.[21]

Boone was also the exact midpoint on the Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern Railroad, an electric interurban line converted to diesel in 1955 after a flood on the Des Moines River devastated the Fraser hydroelectric power plant that supplied power to the railroad. It connected with the C&NW downtown. It was purchased by the C&NW in 1968 and subsequently abandoned. The western part of the line to Fraser has been resurrected as the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad, a tourist line.[22]

The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad also ran a branch line into Boone from the southeast. It likewise connected with the C&NW. The line was trimmed back to Luther in the late 1960s and completely abandoned a few years later.

Economy

[edit]
Former freight station and grain elevator in Boone
  • Unemployment rate
3.6% (6.0% USA)
  • Recent job growth
-5.8%
  • Future job growth
21.1% (33.5% USA)
  • Sales taxes
7.00% (7.30% USA)
  • Income per capita
$32,273 ($37,638 USA)
  • Median Household income
$61,997 ($69,021 USA)[23]

Education

[edit]

The Boone Community School District, which operates public schools, covers almost all of the Boone city limits. Boone High School is the comprehensive high school of that district. A small piece of the city limits is within the United Community School District,[24] which operates an elementary school. United CSD sends secondary students to Boone CSD and Ames CSD.[25]

The Sacred Heart parish operates a parochial school for kindergarten through 8th grade. Trinity Lutheran Church operates a school for students 3 years old to 8th grade.[26] The Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) has a campus in the south central part of the town. It was established when DMACC purchased the former Boone Junior College in 1969 and was the second campus added during the initial period of expansion.[27]

Arts and culture

[edit]

Festivals and events

[edit]

Pufferbilly Days, an annual event celebrating Boone's railroad heritage, is held at the end of the summer and is one of Iowa's top five community festivals with over 30,000 attendees.[28]

The IMCA Super Nationals are held at the Boone Speedway, occurring during the week of Labor Day.[29]

Boone is also a site of the annual Farm Progress Show. Originally the show rotated from one farm to another in Iowa, Illinois and Indiana before the permanent sites were established at Boone, Iowa and Decatur, Illinois. The show now alternates between these two permanent sites on an annual basis.[30]

Tourist attractions

[edit]

Vincenzo Miserendino's final and largest statue of Theodore Roosevelt, which was eight times life-size was commissioned in 1941, and was scheduled to arrive in Boone, Iowa, in 1943. However, before casting, its 4,000 pounds of bronze was appropriated for World War II. Miserendino commented that Theodore Roosevelt himself would have approved of that decision to put the service of the country first. Later, in 1946, the Roman Bronze Corporation of Corona, New York City, produced the casting in Miserendino's original mold.[a] On January 6, 1948, it was placed in McHose Park [ceb].[b] Residing on three large granite blocks, the 6' 3" statue depicts Roosevelt rising out of a mountainous landscape with his hand outstretched as if addressing a crowd. Below the statue are ten bas reliefs of Roosevelt's outdoor accomplishments.[31]

Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum are other points of interest. The B&SVRR allows visitors to view Boone and the Boone river valley area via train, riding behind various historic train equipment. Thomas the Tank Engine makes annual visits to B&SVRR, at the Day Out with Thomas event, usually in September.[32] The railroad also hosts several "dinner" trains, a regular weekly train excursion as well as a special Christmas themed event. The James H. Andrew museum, located on site, highlights railroad history with a variety of exhibits and authentic railroad related artifacts.[33]

Boone County Historical Center, a museum housed in the former Champlin Memorial Masonic Temple.[34][35]

Parks and recreation

[edit]

J.B. McHose Park and Shelter is the largest park in Boone, and features shelters, baseball fields, tennis courts, a sand volleyball area, a basketball court, playgrounds, nature trails, an equestrian trail, fishing pond, Teddy Roosevelt monument, bike trail, disc golf course, and a swimming pool.[36]

Birthplace of First Lady Mamie Doud Eisenhower, 709 (formerly 718) Carroll Street, Boone, Iowa

Notable people

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Boone, Iowa

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Boone is a city in central , serving as the county seat of Boone County. As of the , its population was approximately 12,460, with recent estimates indicating a slight annual decline. Founded in the mid-19th century, the city developed primarily due to the expansion of railroads and , which facilitated transportation and economic activity in the region. Today, Boone's economy reflects its agricultural roots, with surrounding farmland supporting grain production and related infrastructure such as elevators, alongside manufacturing and retail sectors. Notable among its historical distinctions, Boone is the birthplace of Doud Eisenhower, of the from 1953 to 1961 as the wife of President , born there in 1896. The city also marks the origin of Casey's General Stores, with the chain's first location established in 1968 from a converted gas station, evolving into a regional convenience retailer emphasizing prepared foods like pizza. These elements underscore Boone's role as a modest Midwestern hub blending industrial heritage, rural productivity, and cultural landmarks.

History

Founding and early settlement (1851–1880s)

Boone County was established by the Iowa Territorial Legislature in 1847 and named in honor of , the youngest son of frontiersman , who had surveyed parts of the region during military expeditions. Initial settlement in the county occurred in May 1846, when John and his family arrived at Pea's Point near the present site of Boonesboro, marking the first permanent Euro-American presence amid vast prairies and timber stands. Early pioneers acquired land through federal auctions or pre-emption claims under Iowa's territorial laws, which allowed occupants to purchase improved tracts at $1.25 per acre after proving cultivation, incentivizing individual effort over communal or subsidized development. Boonesboro, platted in 1851 on the west branch of the , emerged as the county's first organized community and provisional seat, selected by commissioners for its central location and access to water-powered milling potential. Settlers there, numbering in the dozens initially, endured challenges such as isolating winters, from poor , and manual labor to fell oaks and walnuts for fencing and fuel while breaking for corn and cultivation—essential steps yielding subsistence farms averaging 40-80 acres per family. Self-organized prevailed, with residents electing local officials and bidding resources like donated lots to secure functions, reflecting market-driven competition absent large-scale government intervention. By 1857, a modest frame courthouse stood in Boonesboro, underscoring infrastructure built via private donations and volunteer labor. Anticipation of private railroad expansion catalyzed further settlement; in 1865, railroad investor John Insley Blair platted (later Boone) 1.5 miles east of Boonesboro after a dispute with Boonesboro leaders over station placement, positioning it for efficient track alignment and commerce. Incorporated in 1866, Montana quickly drew hundreds of migrants—reaching about 1,500 residents by that year—through land sales tied to rail prospects, as families cleared adjacent tracts for diversified including livestock grazing on native grasses. This growth stemmed from voluntary migration and entrepreneurial land speculation, not federal homestead grants until the 1862 Act's later application, enabling basic amenities like blacksmith shops and stores via settler capital. The town renamed itself Boone in 1871 to align with the county's , fostering identity amid ongoing agrarian expansion that transformed wooded fringes into productive fields by the late 1880s.

Railroad expansion and economic boom (1880s–1920s)

The expansion of the Chicago and North Western Railway (C&NW) during the solidified Boone's role as a hub, with construction of extensive yards and infrastructure that facilitated freight and traffic across central . By the early , the C&NW had established a depot in Boone, supporting the line's westward push that connected local to national markets and attracted workers for maintenance and operations. This private investment in tracks, bridges, and yards lowered transportation costs dramatically—reducing freight rates for grain and livestock from farms by enabling efficient bulk shipments to and beyond—directly spurring economic activity without reliance on subsidies. The resulting connectivity fostered independent farming enterprises, as producers could viably corn, hogs, and , transforming subsistence operations into commercial ventures integrated into broader supply chains. A notable incident underscoring the risks and human element of this era occurred on July 6, 1881, when 15-year-old heroically intervened during a severe storm that washed out the Honey Creek trestle near Moingona, just west of Boone. Observing a work engine plunge into the flooded creek, Shelley traversed the perilous, rain-slicked high bridge—a 500-foot wooden trestle 50 feet above the torrent—to reach the Boone station and alert dispatchers, preventing the oncoming Midnight Flyer passenger train from disaster and saving an estimated 200 lives. Her actions highlighted the precarious safety conditions of early rail infrastructure but also amplified Boone's prominence, as the event drew national attention and reinforced the C&NW's commitment to bridge reinforcements, including eventual steel replacements in the 1890s. This rail-driven momentum fueled a and industrial surge, with Boone's residents growing from 2,189 in 1880 to 11,729 by 1920, per U.S. Decennial Census records, as jobs in railroading, related (e.g., machine shops and foundries), and commerce proliferated. The influx supported ancillary sectors like in nearby areas, which supplied fuel for locomotives, and grain elevators for handling exports, creating a self-sustaining economic cluster grounded in market incentives rather than centralized planning. By the , Boone's economy exemplified how targeted capital—yielding over 400% population increase in four decades—catalyzed localized prosperity through cost efficiencies and entrepreneurial response to demand signals.

Mid-20th century developments and challenges (1930s–1970s)

![Birthplace of Mamie Eisenhower.jpg][float-right] During the Great Depression, Boone experienced severe economic strain akin to broader Iowa trends, with farm commodity prices plummeting—corn falling to as low as eight cents per bushel in the early 1930s—leading to widespread bankruptcies and foreclosures among local farmers. Boone County's agricultural base, reliant on corn and livestock, saw residents like farmer Elmer Powers documenting the era's hardships through diaries that reflected persistent determination amid financial distress and dust bowl conditions. Population dipped slightly from 12,373 in 1930 to 11,753 in 1940, underscoring the local toll, though private adaptations such as diversified small-scale farming and community self-reliance mitigated total collapse without heavy dependence on expansive external aid. World War II spurred mobilization on Boone's home front, with residents contributing through scrap metal drives that repurposed local monuments and materials for national war efforts, including an arch dismantled for its bronze content. While no major factories in Boone converted directly to war production—unlike larger sites such as Ankeny's plant—community support sustained the effort via agricultural output and volunteerism, helping stabilize the local economy amid wartime rationing. Postwar recovery benefited from the , which facilitated veterans' education at Boone , established in 1927 with initial enrollment of about 60 students but experiencing record postwar spikes due to returning servicemen accessing tuition and stipends. This private-institutional response, combined with low-interest loans for housing, supported modest population rebound to 12,373 by 1950, emphasizing individual initiative over centralized programs. In the 1950s and 1960s, U.S. Route 30 improvements through Boone addressed growing traffic congestion, as evidenced by 1959 footage highlighting bottlenecks and paving the way for rerouting south of the city in the mid-1960s to enhance efficiency. Suburbanization remained limited in this rural hub, tempered by agricultural mechanization that enlarged farms—average northern Iowa operations reaching 250 acres by the 1950s—displacing labor and prompting outmigration from surrounding countryside, though the city population held steady at around 12,468 through 1970. Boone's ties to national figures, including Mamie Eisenhower's Boone birthplace and her role as First Lady from 1953 to 1961 amid her husband's postwar presidency, bolstered local morale without overshadowing grassroots economic adjustments by farmers adopting tractors and chemicals to boost yields. These shifts underscored resilience through technological adaptation in the private agricultural sector, sustaining Boone amid broader rural depopulation trends.

Late 20th and 21st century evolution

During the and , Boone faced economic pressures from the broader of the railroad sector, which saw U.S. rail employment drop by over 40% since to consolidation, , and shifts in freight patterns. As a former rail hub, the city experienced corresponding job losses, contributing to rural stagnation amid national trends of urban migration and in transportation and . These structural changes, rather than isolated policy failures, drove workforce displacement, with local adaptation relying on diversification into service-oriented industries to mitigate decline. By the 2000s, expansions in and healthcare provided partial offsets, with institutions like Boone Community Schools and Boone County Hospital anchoring employment growth amid fading manufacturing ties. Population stabilized around 12,460 as of the 2020 U.S. Census but entered a slight annual decline of -0.1% through the early 2020s, reflecting persistent rural out-migration and automation's erosion of traditional jobs. Projections estimate the city's near 12,500 by 2025, underscoring limited sustainability without robust private-sector innovation. In the 2020s, local initiatives emphasized retention and to counter these dynamics, including partnerships with Iowa State University's CyBIZ Lab for economic consulting starting in 2020 and chamber-led programs focusing on and skill development. A 2022 state grant of $410,000 supported healthcare apprenticeships through Boone schools, aiming to align local labor with service demands, though such government-funded efforts risk entrenching dependency absent complementary market signals like ag-tech adoption—evident in 's broader shift to precision tools for . Empirical metrics suggest these steps have slowed but not reversed decline, prioritizing causal drivers like technological displacement over unsubstantiated subsidies.

Geography and environment

Physical location and topography

Boone is situated at coordinates 42°03′N 93°53′W in Boone County, central Iowa, approximately 16 miles west of Ames. The city encompasses 9.02 square miles, all land, positioned adjacent to the Des Moines River, which borders its eastern extent and influences local hydrology. The terrain consists of gently rolling plains characteristic of Iowa's Des Moines Lobe glacial landscape, with elevations averaging about 1,130 feet above . This topography, formed by glacial till, supports extensive farmland use surrounding the city, as the moderate slopes and fertile soils facilitate drainage and cultivation without extreme gradients impeding mechanized . Proximity to the has exposed the area to periodic ing, including significant inundation during the 1993 Midwest floods that affected central waterways. risks are mitigated by engineered drainage tiles, ditches, and private levees that channel excess water, reducing impacts on urban and agricultural lands compared to unmitigated riverine settings. Boone's placement west of , which passes through nearby Ames, and alongside active rail corridors enhances accessibility for freight and passenger movement across the plains.

Climate data and environmental factors

Boone experiences a classified as Köppen Dfa, characterized by hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, with significant seasonal temperature swings influencing local such as corn and cultivation. Average high temperatures reach approximately 85°F (29°C) in , the warmest month, while January highs average around 30°F (-1°C), with lows dipping to 13°F (-11°C), based on records from the Boone Municipal Airport station. Annual totals about 35 inches (890 mm), predominantly as rain from May to September, supporting farming but requiring drainage management to prevent periodic flooding in low-lying areas.
MonthAvg High (°F)Avg Low (°F)Precipitation (in)
Jan30131.0
Feb34161.0
Mar46272.2
Apr60383.5
May71494.7
Jun80594.6
Jul85654.2
Aug83624.0
Sep75523.3
Oct63402.8
Nov47282.0
Dec34171.4
Annual593735.0
Data derived from long-term normals at Boone Municipal Airport. The region lies within Iowa's portion of , with 98 recorded tornadoes of magnitude EF-2 or higher in or near Boone since 1950, though direct impacts on the city have been infrequent and resulted in limited fatalities, such as the 1918 F4 event causing $1 million in damages (equivalent to about $20 million today) but no deaths in Boone proper. Local farming practices, including and shelterbelts, have historically mitigated wind and hail risks more effectively than top-down interventions, reflecting adaptation to inherent Midwest variability rather than alarmist projections. From 2000 to 2025, and records at nearby NOAA stations exhibit year-to-year fluctuations consistent with 20th-century norms, with no sustained deviations indicating unprecedented extremes; for instance, Boone County mean temperatures ranged from 79.8°F in 2025 to 83.1°F in 2023, within historical bounds, countering broader narratives of accelerating anomalies that often overlook localized empirical patterns. Environmental factors include occasional heavy snowfalls averaging 30-40 inches annually, aiding but necessitating resilient , while air quality remains favorable due to low industrial emissions and dispersing particulates.

Demographics

The population of Boone grew from approximately 3,000 residents in 1900 to a peak of 12,803 in 1980, reflecting expansion driven by railroad-related economic activity and rural-to-urban migration in central . This growth occurred amid broader regional development, with the city serving as the for Boone County, which had a of 26,715. Subsequent decennial censuses indicate stagnation and minor decline, with figures holding steady at 12,472 in both 2000 and 2010 before dipping to 12,468 in , consistent with depopulation trends in many Midwestern rural hubs due to out-migration for employment opportunities elsewhere. Boone's annual growth rate has averaged -0.1% in recent years, projecting a 2025 population of 12,392.
YearPopulation
198012,803
199012,661
200012,472
201012,472
202012,468

Socioeconomic characteristics and household data

As of the 2023 American Community Survey, the median household income in Boone, Iowa, stood at $67,269, reflecting a modest increase from $64,192 the prior year and indicating economic stability amid a predominantly blue-collar workforce reliant on manufacturing, rail, and agriculture-related sectors. The per capita income was approximately $45,011, underscoring the role of dual-income households in sustaining local livelihoods. Poverty affected 7.7% of residents, below the national average and signaling effective community-level adaptations to economic pressures without reliance on expansive welfare structures. Unemployment in Boone County, which encompasses the city, registered at 3.4% as of August 2025, consistent with broader Iowa trends and evidencing labor market resilience tied to steady employment in non-urban trades. Educational attainment among adults aged 25 and older in Boone aligns with Midwestern norms for smaller communities, with approximately 20% holding a or higher, bolstered by local institutions such as and nearby Des Moines Area , which emphasize vocational and practical training over elite academic pipelines. High school completion rates exceed 92%, supporting entry into skilled trades that form the economic backbone, though advanced degrees remain less prevalent compared to urban centers. Household composition features an average size of 2.3 persons, indicative of stable units prevalent in rural settings. Homeownership prevails at 73.7%, surpassing the U.S. average of 65% and reflecting preferences for property ownership amid stock, with median home values around $150,000 that facilitate intergenerational wealth transfer in a low-debt environment. These metrics highlight socioeconomic patterns favoring self-reliance and local anchoring over transient or subsidized living arrangements.

Cultural and ethnic composition

According to U.S. Census-derived data, the ethnic composition of Boone, Iowa, remains highly homogeneous, with non-Hispanic residents forming 90.6% of the population. or Latino individuals of any race constitute about 4.7%, primarily categorized as Other () at 1.99%, () at 1.53%, and Two or More Races () at 1.22%. Other racial groups include Two or More Races (non-Hispanic) at 2.79%, Black or African American at 1.2%, Asian at 0.6%, and American Indian or Alaska Native at 0.3%, reflecting minimal diversification from the European-descended settler base established in the mid-19th century. The foreign-born population stands at 0.305%, or roughly 38 individuals as of 2023, far below the national average of 13.8% and underscoring negligible recent immigration influences on local cultural norms. This low figure aligns with broader patterns in rural , where native-born residents predominate and cultural continuity emphasizes traditions rooted in and community self-reliance derived from agrarian heritage. Religiously, the community is anchored by Protestant institutions, with Boone County adherents numbering 12,350 in 2020—46.2% of the —including significant evangelical Protestant (e.g., Baptist, Methodist) and groups, alongside smaller Catholic representation. These churches function as enduring social hubs, preserving intergenerational ties without evident shifts toward non-Christian affiliations in available data. Such homogeneity correlates with elevated social trust metrics observed in similar Midwestern locales, though direct causal studies for Boone are absent.

Government and politics

Local government structure and administration

The City of Boone operates under the mayor-council form of , with the serving as responsible for supervising all departments and presiding over meetings. The consists of seven members: two elected and one from each of five wards, who collectively oversee municipal ordinances, , and policy implementation. Administrative focus remains on core functions such as public safety, road maintenance, and utility services, as evidenced by the 2024-2025 , which allocates resources primarily to operational essentials without expansive non-core expenditures. As the county seat of Boone County, Boone hosts the county courthouse at 201 State Street, facilitating access to key services including judicial proceedings, property recording, assessment, and elections administration for the county's approximately 26,000 residents. These county operations leverage the city's central location and infrastructure, contributing to a shared tax base that supports localized governance without overlapping bureaucratic redundancies. The November 7, 2023, municipal election marked the first mayoral change in nearly two decades, with Elijah Stines elected mayor after receiving 41% of the vote in a three-way contest against incumbents and challengers. Leading up to the vote, Stines encountered an anonymous smear campaign via mailed letters alleging misconduct, prompting a state-level investigation by authorities, which concluded without substantiated charges or evidence of systemic irregularities in city administration. This episode highlighted isolated campaign tactics but affirmed the stability of Boone's electoral and administrative processes.

Political leanings and election outcomes

Boone County, home to the city of Boone, consistently supports Republican candidates in presidential elections, reflecting a conservative orientation shaped by economic dependencies on agriculture and manufacturing. In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump received 8,981 votes (64.9%) in the county, compared to 4,398 votes (31.8%) for Joe Biden, yielding a Republican margin of 33.1 percentage points. This result exceeded the statewide Republican advantage of 8.2 points, underscoring rural Iowa's divergence from urban areas and alignment with policies prioritizing deregulation to support farming efficiency and industrial competitiveness. Historical patterns reinforce this trend: the county backed Republican Mitt Romney in 2012 by 12.5 points after supporting Barack Obama in 2008, but shifted firmly Republican in 2016 with Trump winning by 32.4 points, indicating a post-2012 realignment toward candidates addressing trade, immigration, and rural infrastructure needs. Voter registration data further illustrates the partisan imbalance, with active Republicans outnumbering active Democrats by more than 2:1 as of early —approximately 7,800 Republicans versus 3,400 Democrats among roughly 12,000 active registered voters. This composition correlates with resistance to regulatory expansions perceived as burdensome to , such as environmental mandates that could raise costs for local grain elevators and manufacturers without commensurate benefits. Local election outcomes mirror these priorities, emphasizing fiscal restraint and investments; for instance, city council and mayoral races frequently feature debates over balanced budgets for repairs vital to transport, rather than expansive social programs. A notable event highlighting community sentiments occurred on September 12, 2015, when addressed a crowd in Boone, focusing on to protect American workers and wages in manufacturing-heavy regions like central . Such gatherings underscore causal links between electoral and economic realism, where voters favor border security measures to mitigate labor market pressures on rural employment, diverging from narratives in urban-centric media that often downplay these concerns. Recent local contests, including the 2024 mayoral , continued this focus, with winners advocating pragmatic governance over ideological shifts.

Economy

Major sectors and employment drivers

The economy of Boone, Iowa, is driven primarily by healthcare, retail, construction, and manufacturing sectors, with significant ties to agribusiness processing. In 2023, the largest employment sector was health care and social assistance, employing 1,158 residents, followed by retail trade at 1,016 and construction at 746. These private-sector roles, including positions at local hospitals and distribution centers, underscore a reliance on enterprise-led job creation rather than public assistance programs, as evidenced by Boone's labor force participation rate exceeding Iowa's average in non-farm payrolls. Manufacturing remains a key driver, particularly in linked to Iowa's corn and production, though direct agricultural production accounts for a smaller share of compared to and value-added activities. Companies like AgCertain Industries operate facilities in Boone focused on refining and other crop oils, supported by rail infrastructure for inbound raw materials and outbound shipments, with recent expansions including a new rail completed in 2023 to handle increased volumes. Similarly, Daisy Brand announced a $626.5 million in April 2024, leveraging local supply chains to create high-wage jobs amid national demand growth. This sector has evolved from Boone's historical dominance in and maintenance, tied to the and Northwestern Railway, toward diversified that sustains median household incomes around $60,000 annually despite broader declines. Education and public services also contribute substantially, with the Boone Community School District ranking among top local employers, providing stable positions in teaching and administration that complement private growth. Retail giants like Fareway Stores, with deep roots, further bolster employment through distribution and grocery operations tied to regional . Overall, these sectors reflect a transition to service-oriented and value-added industries, maintaining below 3% in recent years through private investment and workforce training incentives.

Business climate and recent economic indicators

Boone's business climate benefits from collaborative public-private partnerships, including the Boone County Economic Growth Corporation, which facilitates business retention, expansion, and attraction through site development and incentive programs such as the Downtown Incentive Fund and Housing Incentive Program. These efforts emphasize market-driven growth, with participation in the Main Street program since 2024 aimed at downtown revitalization to support small firms via reduced vacancies and increased commercial activity. Recent economic indicators reflect stability amid broader rural pressures. Boone County's unemployment rate averaged 2.6% in 2024, rising modestly to 3.4% by August 2025, remaining below the state average of 3.3% in January 2025 and the national rate of approximately 4.0%. Real GDP for Boone County stood at $1.041 billion (chained 2017 dollars) in 2023, a slight decline from $1.050 billion in 2022 but indicative of resilience in a county-level economy dominated by non-subsidy-dependent sectors. Population stagnation poses challenges to retail viability, yet local workforce development initiatives, including laborshed analysis and skills training through Boone's Future, mitigate labor shortages by aligning training with employer needs rather than relying on expansive subsidies. Empirically, Boone outperforms comparable Iowa small towns and counties in unemployment metrics—for instance, its 2024 rate was 1.1 percentage points below the state average and lower than peers like Black Hawk County (4.3%)—countering narratives of inevitable rural economic decay through demonstrated labor market tightness.

Infrastructure

Transportation networks

Boone lies along the Union Pacific Railroad's major east-west mainline, which facilitates extensive freight movement across and the Midwest. The line features the , spanning the approximately three miles west of the city, recognized as the highest double-track railroad bridge in the United States at 186 feet above the water. Named for Catherine Shelley, who in 1881 crawled across a damaged trestle during a storm to warn of a bridge collapse and prevent a , the current steel structure—rebuilt in 2009—handles heavy freight traffic daily, primarily agricultural products, , and manufactured goods. Intercity passenger rail service does not operate through Boone, with the nearest stops over 100 miles distant in or Mount Pleasant. U.S. Highway 30, a principal east-west corridor, bisects Boone, providing direct access to regional and long-distance road travel; the route extends 330 miles across from the border to . Local connections, such as Iowa Highway 17 northbound, link to about 15 miles north near Ames, enabling efficient north-south interstate mobility for trucking and commuters. The Iowa Department of Transportation has proposed upgrades to US 30 through Boone, including roundabouts and potential freeway conversions east toward Ames, to address congestion and improve freight flow as of 2025. Boone Municipal Airport (KCJB), a facility, supports local private and recreational flying from a 3,000-foot runway two miles east of downtown, but lacks commercial operations. Residents rely on (DSM) for scheduled passenger and cargo flights, located 46 miles southeast via US 30 and I-35, with drive times averaging 60-70 minutes under normal conditions. Rail freight through Boone reduces shipping costs for bulk commodities compared to trucking, enhancing Iowa's agricultural export competitiveness; state data indicate railroads moved 63.1 million tons of outbound freight in recent years, with lower per-ton-mile rates than highways contributing to productivity gains in farming and sectors.

Utilities and public services

The City of Boone operates its municipal system through Boone Water Works, sourcing primarily from wells, with treatment provided to residents and some extraterritorial areas. and services are also city-managed, including ongoing inflow and infiltration reduction efforts via smoke testing and inspections to prevent backups during heavy rains. Utility billing covers , sewer, , and solid waste, emphasizing local maintenance over expansive regulatory overlays. Electricity for Boone residents is supplied by , an investor-owned utility providing reliable service with outage reporting integrated into city communications. Broadband access has benefited from 's statewide expansion initiatives post-2020, including grants under the Empower Rural Iowa program, supporting fiber deployment in underserved areas to enable amid rural economic shifts, though city-specific fiber rollout details remain tied to broader county efforts. Public safety services include the Boone Police Department, which maintains low rates averaging 16.2 incidents per 100,000 residents from 2019-2024, per aggregated reporting, contributing to the area's for safety in line with rural norms. The Boone Fire Department delivers fire suppression, prevention, and across the city and adjacent communities like Luther and Fraser, operating with a fleet suited to local response needs. Waste management involves curbside collection billed through city utilities, primarily handled by (WM) for residential garbage and recycling, with disposal directed to the for cost-efficient regional processing. Flood control relies on local management ordinances enforcing standards via structural protections like levees with minimum freeboard, supplemented by watershed initiatives such as Beaver Creek restoration for natural attenuation without heavy federal intervention.

Education

K-12 public education system

The Boone Community School District operates four schools serving approximately 1,983 students from prekindergarten through grade 12, with a student-teacher ratio of 13.65:1. The district's four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate averaged 92% in recent assessments, surpassing Iowa's statewide average of around 88-90%. Student proficiency on state assessments, measured via the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP), reached 60% in mathematics and 69% in reading at the district level, exceeding state medians where math proficiency hovers near 55% and reading around 65%. At Boone High School, 10th-grade English language arts proficiency hit 82.5%, notably above state benchmarks, reflecting consistent outperformance in core academic metrics. The district emphasizes vocational and career-technical education tracks tailored to Boone's agricultural and manufacturing economy, including the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (AFNR) pathway at Boone High School, which covers animal science, plant science, , and equipment maintenance. Introductory agriculture courses introduce students to industry careers, while the EDGE Continuum program provides apprenticeships, , and production-based courses in areas like and services, preparing graduates for local employment without diluting focus on measurable skill acquisition. These initiatives align with empirical outcomes, as district performance profiles show sustained growth in school scores under Iowa's accountability system. Facility investments totaling over $40 million since 2020 have targeted safety, HVAC upgrades, and full at the high school, funded primarily through federal ESSER and local revenues rather than long-term bonded debt. This approach has avoided fiscal overextension, enabling maintenance of small class sizes (averaging 15-20 students) and infrastructure supporting merit-based programs, as evidenced by annual district reports documenting completed projects without reported budget shortfalls.

Higher education and lifelong learning resources

The Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) maintains a in Boone, offering associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs tailored to practical workforce needs, including advanced nurse aide training, technology, and . These offerings emphasize employability in trades and healthcare sectors, with over 75 career-oriented programs available across DMACC sites, many accessible to Boone residents for skills like , , and athletic coaching. The Ericson Public Library in Boone functions as a key resource for adult , curating extensive collections of books, audiobooks, and for self-directed education in diverse genres and interests. It supports through access to online databases, resources, and initiatives that promote skill-building aligned with local economic demands, such as literacy improvement and . These institutions bolster Boone County's overall educational profile, where 28.7% of residents aged 25 and older held a or higher in 2023, reflecting gains from accessible post-secondary pathways amid Iowa's statewide average of 30.9%. DMACC's focus on two-year credentials facilitates transfers to four-year institutions or direct entry into regional jobs, contributing to sustained adult skill enhancement without requiring relocation.

Culture and recreation

Arts, festivals, and community events

Pufferbilly Days, an annual festival honoring Boone's railroad heritage, originated in 1976 as a community promotion by the Boone County Chamber of Commerce and has evolved into a three-day event featuring parades, live music, crafts, and family-oriented activities. Typically held in September, the 2025 edition is scheduled for September 19-21, drawing over 8,000 attendees from surrounding areas and effectively doubling the local population during the celebration. The Boone Community Theatre, operated by an all-volunteer board since its founding around 1975, stages four major productions per season along with special events, fostering local dramatic arts through community participation in acting, directing, and production. In September 2025, the theater commemorated its 50th anniversary with performances including Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical and anniversary events featuring returning . Boone hosted one of the earliest documented women's suffrage parades in the United States on October 29, 1908, when over 100 women, led by local organizer Rowena Edson Stevens of the Boone Equality Club, marched through downtown streets carrying banners and flags to advocate for voting rights. This grassroots demonstration, addressed by national suffrage leader , highlighted early organized activism rooted in Iowa's progressive rural communities. The Boone Municipal Band, a longstanding ensemble, delivers free weekly concerts from late May through mid-July at Herman , performing a mix of marches, popular tunes, and holiday selections to engage residents in traditional brass band music. The band annually hosts the Iowa Municipal Band Festival, with the 33rd edition on July 12, 2025, showcasing 11 ensembles from and neighboring states in a day-long event that preserves Midwestern municipal band traditions. The Boone County Historical Society coordinates events such as the Blind Boone Concert Series and storytelling sessions that recount pioneer-era narratives, emphasizing archival exhibits and live performances to maintain awareness of the area's settlement history and self-reliant ethos. These gatherings, held at sites like the Boone County History Center, integrate music and historical reenactments to connect contemporary residents with 19th-century founding principles.

Parks, historic sites, and tourism

Boone's parks and conservation areas, managed primarily by the Boone County Conservation Board, encompass about 1,300 acres across 10 sites including wildlife refuges and trails, facilitating outdoor recreation such as hiking and wildlife observation that enhance resident quality of life through accessible natural spaces. City-maintained parks like McHose Park and Cap Erbe Park and Wildlife Reserve provide neighborhood-level amenities including playgrounds, shelters, and basketball courts, with maintenance supported by municipal operating budgets derived from local property taxes. The Des Moines River Water Trail, spanning 38 miles with eight boat ramps, offers canoeing and kayaking opportunities, promoting physical activity amid the river's wooded corridors. The Boone County Fairgrounds, a 26-acre facility, hosts year-round community events and rentals for indoor and outdoor activities, underscoring its role in fostering social engagement beyond seasonal fairs. Historic attractions center on the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace at 709 Carroll Street, the preserved 1882 home where the former was born on November 14, 1896; the site provides guided tours from June through October, drawing visitors interested in presidential history. Tourism leverages Boone's rail heritage via the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, where the Iowa Railroad Historical Society operates 11 miles of track for excursion trains through the Valley, attracting rail enthusiasts and families for rides that highlight industrial-era engineering. Trails like the High Trestle, integrated into conservation lands, support pedestrian and cycling use, contributing to recreational without relying on exaggerated promotional claims. Local funding for these assets emphasizes fiscal prudence, with capital improvements planned via the city's five-year program while routine upkeep falls under annual budgets, reflecting community-supported stewardship over expansive public spending.

Notable individuals

Political and military figures

Mamie Geneva Doud Eisenhower, born November 14, 1896, in Boone, Iowa, served as First Lady of the United States from 1953 to 1961 as the wife of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. While she generally avoided direct political involvement, she supported her husband's administration, which pursued anti-communist foreign policies, including containment strategies against Soviet expansion, and emphasized fiscal conservatism in domestic affairs. Her behind-the-scenes influence extended to advocating for select military personnel matters, such as housing and transfers, reflecting alignment with Republican priorities on national defense. Boone's military legacy includes numerous World War II whose service contributed to Allied victories, with local casualties and survivors honored in community memorials. The Boone County Veterans Memorial, featuring granite wings inscribed with names of war casualties from the county, commemorates these sacrifices, including those from WWII. Notable among them is Robert Bartlett, a local recognized in 2024 for his service during the D-Day invasion on its 80th anniversary. The Boone County Freedom Rock, established in 2014, further honors across conflicts, underscoring the town's commitment to recognizing military contributions aligned with defense of democratic principles.

Cultural and business contributors

(December 12, 1864 – January 21, 1912), born near Boone, Iowa, gained enduring recognition as a railroad heroine for her actions on July 6, 1881, when, at age 16, she crawled across the Honey Creek trestle during a severe storm to alert railroad workers of its partial collapse, thereby preventing an oncoming passenger train from disaster and saving numerous lives. Her feat, which involved traversing rain-slicked ties amid lightning and wind, resulted in her lifelong employment with the Chicago & North Western Railway as a station agent and inspired tributes including the Kate Shelley Memorial Railroad Museum in Boone, which documents 19th-century rail operations and her personal artifacts to educate on local transportation heritage. While romanticized in folklore, Shelley's story underscores individual initiative in an era of precarious , with the subsequent Kate Shelley Bridge—completed in 1901—named in her honor as the first such structure dedicated to a woman in the U.S. In business, Don Lamberti established in by acquiring and remodeling a Boone storefront into the chain's inaugural location, initially focusing on gasoline, groceries, and basic services before expanding into prepared foods and a network exceeding 2,600 Midwest outlets by emphasizing rural market penetration. Kurvin C. "K.C." Fish co-founded the venture, contributing to its early growth from a single outlet to a publicly traded entity with annual revenues surpassing $15 billion as of 2023. This development highlights Boone's facilitation of scalable retail models tied to automotive and agricultural economies. Fareway Stores, Inc., originated in Boone in 1938 under Reynolds Cramer's predecessors, evolving into a family-controlled grocer with over 130 locations across eight states, prioritizing self-service innovations and community sourcing amid 20th-century shifts from full-service models.

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  105. https://catalog.dmacc.edu/content.php?catoid=28&navoid=2812
  106. https://local.carrollspaper.com/boone-ia/des-moines-area-community-college-boone-campus-515-432-7203
  107. https://www.mapquest.com/us/iowa/dmacc-boone-campus-433738613
  108. https://www.boone.lib.ia.us/services/adults-1
  109. https://www.mapquest.com/us/iowa/ericson-public-library-6689712
  110. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/HC01ESTVC1719015
  111. https://censusreporter.org/profiles/05000US19015-boone-county-ia/
  112. https://boonecountychamber.com/pufferbilly-days/
  113. https://www.pufferbilly.com/
  114. https://www.facebook.com/PufferbillyDaysBoone/
  115. https://www.boonecommunitytheatre.org/
  116. https://www.amestrib.com/story/news/local/2025/09/02/former-actors-return-to-boone-for-50th-year-of-community-theater/85886285007/
  117. https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/2021/02/15/address-at-the-boone-iowa-suffrage-parade-oct-29-1908/
  118. https://www.facebook.com/BCHSIowa/posts/on-october-29-1908-boone-held-one-of-the-first-suffrage-marches-in-the-nation-th/1087390056730471/
  119. https://www.boonegov.com/department/index.php?structureid=53
  120. https://www.kwbg.com/2025/06/22/33rd-annual-iowa-municipal-band-festival-july-12th-in-boone/
  121. https://boonehistory.org/events/
  122. https://bchsiowa.org/
  123. https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Boone
  124. https://www.boonegov.com/topic/index.php?topicid=25&structureid=21
  125. https://www.boonecounty.iowa.gov/assessor/faq/
  126. https://www.boonecounty.iowa.gov/conservation/recreational_areas/des_moines_river_water_trail/
  127. http://www.boonecountyfairia.com/
  128. https://www.mamiebirthplaceboone.org/
  129. https://bsvrr.com/
  130. https://www.boonegov.com/egov/documents/1738942957_04889.pdf
  131. https://www.whitehousehistory.org/bios/mamie-eisenhower
  132. https://etda.libraries.psu.edu/files/final_submissions/20291
  133. http://archive.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=35
  134. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/509f66e75d0e46e0aa8c7b3121cf9e3e
  135. https://www.aol.com/ive-never-felt-special-boone-224920650.html
  136. https://www.boonecountyfreedomrock.com/about/
  137. https://www.historynet.com/kate-shelley-a-girls-heroic-journey/
  138. https://www.wonderfulmuseums.com/museum/kate-shelley-railroad-museum/
  139. https://www.amusingplanet.com/2023/01/how-kate-shelley-saved-train.html
  140. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dmhistoricaldiscussions/posts/10160197190737273/
  141. https://www.fareway.com/about/news/fareway-leadership-is-a-family-affair
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