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Oelwein is a city in Fayette County, Iowa, United States. The population was 6,692 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Oelwein is located at (42.676996, -91.915745).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.5 km² (4.8 mi²). 12.4 km² (4.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (1.03%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,692 people, 2,808 households, and 1,819 families residing in the city. The population density was 539.4/km² (1,395.8/mi²). There were 3,040 housing units at an average density of 245.0/km² (634.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.19% White, 0.42% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.29% of the population.
There were 2,808 households out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,347, and the median income for a family was $32,279. Males had a median income of $28,075 versus $19,479 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,502. About 11.7% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.
History
The town of Oelwein was laid out in a corn field purchased from Gustav Oelwein on the coming of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Railroad (later called the Rock Island) in 1872. Some years later the two dividing streets of Oelwein were named after his sons, Frederick and Charles.
The town of Oelwein is named after the Oelwein family, but they were not the original settlers of the land. On the contrary, it was entered by a professional man at Dubuque, who made it his business to enter land, add a good fee for his trouble, plus a high rate of interest, and then not turn it over to the man in whose name it was registered until he was able to pay the price. Oelwein's present site was entered in 1852 by J. B. Burch. It was Burch who built the cabin in 1852 which still stands at Orville Christophel Park in downtown Oelwein, within a block of the present Hotel Mealey. The hamlet of Oelwein was instituted in 1873; incorporated as a town in 1888 with Dr. Pattison becoming its first mayor. The town suffered its chief setback in 1887, when nearly all of the old Main Street business district (now First Avenue SE) was destroyed by fire. In 1890 the census gave the population as 830.
By January of 1892, Oelwein had become the center of the Chicago Great Western Railway; the CGW made the town the cite of their locomotive and car repair shop. Clearing the land for the shops began in June 1894. The shops were completed and put into operation in May 1899. Thus, Oelwein became known as the "Hub City" because of the rail lines coming into town and the repair shops located here.
In 1890, the city had 830 people. By 1895 the population had increased to 1,928, and in 1897 Oelwein was incorporated as a city. In 1900, Oelwein had 5,142 people within the city limits, of whom 789 were foreign-born. Oelwein was one of few Iowa towns to experience an influx of Italian immigrants who were employed in the railroad industry. In 1910, the population was 6028, and in 1940, 7801.
In 1968, the town suffered another setback when a tornado swept through the main business district and destroyed the junior high school, a grade school, two churches, and many homes and places of business.
Oelwein remained a "railroad town" until the 1980's when most of the railroad business was moved out of town. Transco Railway Products exists in Oelwein today. That business employs about 70 people repairing railroad cars. Employees donated their time to refurbish a caboose and an engine that are displayed near the Hub City Heritage Museum, 26 2nd Avenue SW, the museum of railroad memorabilia.
Recreation
Some Recreational opportunities include public parks, campgrounds, children's playgrounds, and picnic areas. Canoeing, boating and swimming are available at City Park. A paved hiking/biking trail is being extended to include access to all areas of town. Tennis courts, a skateboard rink, and softball diamonds are at Wings Park. Two beautifully located 9-hole golf courses are available. A new ball field includes lighted fields for school games and will soon include soccer fields. In the winter, enjoy cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.
Notable Natives
- Walter Chrysler
- Gustav Oelwein
- Stacey Blitsch - Roller Derby Star*
- Gary Forney - Singer/songwriter/actor *
Points of interest
Walter P. Chrysler Park Size: 2 acres. Located at North Frederick and 2nd Street, originally two small parks referred to as "Twin Parks" or "Gazebo Park". Dedicated to Walter P. Chrysler, who once resided in Oelwein, the part to the east offers a gazebo with picnic facilities, water fountain, flower gardens, and a planting of Thunderchild Flowering Crabapple Trees, received through an Arbor Day Challenge Grant and Oelwein Trees Forever. The second part holds the Korean and Vietnam Veterans Memorials, donated by the McNamara family in 1998.
External links
"Oelwein, Iowa"