CITY OF LE GRAND

In the southeast quadrant of the town square, rests a weather worn granite boulder. Secured to this boulder is a tablet of bronze that reveals that Joseph Davidson was the first settler to this area. He came in the year 1846 and settled upon one of the hills near the Iowa River. His brother, William, came a short time later. The Davidson's, however, moved on to Oregon to find elbow room when settlers became plentiful in this area.

In 1851, Mark Webb and William Allman and his three sons arrived from Columbiana County, Ohio. Mark Webb and James Allman were responsible for laying out the village of Le Grand. They named the village after Le Grand Byinton, a lawyer from Iowa City who gave them some necessary legal assistance.

The first post office was established in 1853 with James Allman as the postmaster. Prior to this, the settlers had to go to Marengo (45 miles from here) to get their mail! Mr. Allman was also noted as the first person to die in Le Grand.

Many others arrived during this time and built many homes. buildings, and businesses including a hotel, a livery and dray service, railroad station, various newspapers, and a flour mill that was powered by the Iowa River.

The first brick store was built in 1870 on the north side of Main Street. It was a large two story building and was occupied by N.G. Benedist (as a store and residence). A doctor used part of it for a drug store and two other families sold groceries in another section.

Dr. Burnice Hartley Beane has probably brought more notoriety to our town than any other resident.  Arriving in 1879, a noted paleontologist, he became recognized as an authority of crinoids and discovered 21 new species himself. Many leading museums (including the Smithsonian Institute) have some of his specimens.

Three churches began here in Le Grand: The Methodist Episcopal Society Church began in 1853 (now closed), the Christian Church Organization (now closed) and the Friends Meeting (now called the Le Grand Friends Church) was organized in 1855.

School began in 1855 by Elizabeth Allman who held classes in her home for 20 students. A frame school building was erected in 1857 then sold when a brick structure was erected in the northeast corner of town (now a city park). A consolidated school district was formed in 1916 and this building served as the high school until it was destroyed by fire in 1923. Another building was then constructed later that year at the school's present location.

The Christian Church also began a school known as Palmer College. This building was three stories high, with a basement and a separate wing. It contained 56 student rooms, a gymnasium, and a boarding hall. When the college closed., the gymnasium was moved to the ground that was then owned by the Methodist Church. It was used for a town hall, a roller skating rink, for plays, and for other activities. It was later sold and dismantled.

Interesting Beginnings:

The city's water system was constructed in 1951

An addition to the school was built to include a bus barn, a shop, and a new gymnasium with a seating    capacity of 2000 people in 1951

A new Friends Church was constructed in 1950-52

The Le Grand Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1953

The Le Grand Motel was constructed in 1954

The Friends Church parsonage was built in 1961

The city's sewer system (including the lagoons and a lift station) was constructed in 1963

The city received natural gas in 1970

Terrace Manor Mobile Court was constructed with room for 44 homes in 1971

An old service station was converted into a new public Laundromat in 1971

A new post office was built in 1974

A new bank was constructed in 1975

The Community Center was built in 1976

New playground equipment and an outdoor shelter was installed at the park in 1977

A two story addition to the school was built in 1978

An addition to the Community Center for use as a library was constructed in 1978

A new water plant was built in 1978

An new lift station (for the sewer system) was built in 1984

Another addition to the Community Center called the Monet Center (named after a painting that was stolen  from the Fisher Community Center in Marshalltown and later recovered by Le Grand Postmaster Charles Polley) was built in 1986

A barber shop was purchased by the city and renovated into the new City Hall in 1988

A new consolidated school district was formed in 1989

The school's football field and track were moved to the northeastern end of the city in 1989

The Le Grand First Responders was formed in 1989

Tennis courts were built at the school in 1991

Tennis courts at the park were removed and a volleyball court was built at the park in 1991

A new fire station was built in 1992

Wetlands were built in 1992

A new city maintenance building was constructed in 1996

A Housing Planning Commission was formed to study the housing needs of Le Grand in 1998

The City Hall exterior was renovated in October of 1998

The City Hall interior renovations where completed in February 1999

A yellow flashing light was installed to help control traffic at the intersection of Hwy 30 and Hwy 146 in March of 1999

New playground equipment was installed at the Ferguson Memorial Park in the summer of 1999

The Marilyn Larsen Amphitheater was donated by Mr. Martin Larsen and constructed in the park by Mr. Harvey Vis and company in 2003.

The City Of Le Grand signed on to rural water on May 12, 2004.

Highway 30 bypass moved October 2004.

Main St. is now  two lanes with walk lanes, bike paths, and golf carts. It is also a turning lane at the intersections!