Ruthven, Iowa: Shaped by a glacier
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4/27/2009
The western lobe of the last glacier to touch Iowa had its western border at Ruthven. South of the town is a long ridge that is referred to in geology references as "The Ruthven moraine." In its path the glacier left lakes, swamps and gravel hills. West of its edge is an outwash plain with comparatively level terrain. It is something of a dividing point for the nation. East of the community, water flows toward the Mississippi. West of it, it goes to the Missouri.
Ruthven is located on the west edge of Palo Alto County. This county was one of the last to be settled in the state and remained largely vacant until after the Civil War. It attracted a unique mixture of pioneer settlers. The more level and desirable land was settled by people moving in from other areas. The rougher land to the east was settled by immigrant and first generation Danes and Norwegians. A unique feature of the rural area are two pioneer Lutheran churches, one Danish and the other Norwegian, that are within five miles of each other.
With the increased concentration of farms and the reduced number of active farmers, the community no longer fills its original role as a retail and service center for the farm community. Its residents now work in nearby communities.
It is an interesting place in which to live and work. It has abundant wildlife and a considerable acreage of wetlands has been preserved. Lost Island Lake provides good fishing and water recreation opportunities. It has an excellent high school. Its students have gone on to make significant academic and athletic achievements.
It is especially congenial to the needs of older people. A community care center was built in 1986. In addition to the long term care facility, it includes independent living apartments and an assisted living facility.
Alan | Ruthven, IA