Booneville, Iowa
History
Booneville was laid out as a town in 1871 by surveyor A. J. Lyon. The community is named after the William and Susan Boone family, who were prominent local landowners. Early businesses in Booneville included a general store and post office, run by W. H. Baldwin, a drugstore, a hotel, two doctors, a blacksmith, a wagonmaker, and a stock dealer. The Methodist Episcopal Church was the first to hold services in town with a pastor who came from Van Meter.
The population was 62 in 1940. The 2020 census population was 266 residents.
Though once a thriving community, Booneville eventually saw a decline in population with reduced use of the local railroad as well as urban sprawl. The town of Booneville now comprises a restaurant and bar; a Methodist church; the United States Post Office for ZIP code 50038; and a small RV park (part of a mobile home community).
Booneville lies directly northeast of the Raccoon River, and a boat ramp near the town is used frequently.
Although Booneville lies in the annexation path of West Des Moines, situated only a few miles away to the east, West Des Moines officials have stated that there are no plans to annex Booneville in the near future.
References
- ^ "Booneville". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ The History of Dallas County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, &c. Higginson Book Company. 1879. pp. 488.
- ^ The Attorneys List. United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, Attorney List Department. 1940. p. 294.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. 2020.