Dunkerton is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 842 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
The story of the settling of Lester Township, Black Hawk County, Iowa, begins with the arrival of Jonathan Owen and his wife Hannah to Illinois in 1850 where land was selling for $20 an acre. The Owens sent their son, Eli, on to Iowa where the land was cheaper. Eli staked his claim on 40 acres in what is now Lester Township, four miles north of the current town of Dunkerton. The following year Jonathan Owen, Philander Canfield, and Alonzo Barber came from Illinois and staked their claims for land in Lester Township at the Federal Land Office Dubuque for $1.25 an acre. In 1853, the Owen family, Philander Canfield, and Alonzo Barber came from Illinois with ox-drawn wagons to settle in the area. More families arrived in 1854–1855.
The village that sprang up near these first settlers in northern Lester Township was named Lester (sometimes referred to as Lester Center) and was located two and one-half miles north of the current town of Dunkerton.
In 1853, two brothers, James and John Dunkerton arrived from Ohio to stake out a claim of land in Lester Township. On August 22, 1854, John died and was one of the first to be buried in the Lester Township cemetery. James remained and built up his land. On December 25, 1854, he married Christiana Hodges.
In 1886 the Chicago Great Western Railway was being built between Oelwein, Iowa and Waterloo, Iowa. There were two proposed locations for a station in Lester Township. On September 22, 1886, A. S. Cummings, as spokesman, met with the Board of Supervisors and railroad officials to ask that the station be built on the Mary French property (south half of northeast corner of Section 27). At the same time, Mr. and Mrs. James Dunkerton were boarding the surveyors working for the railroad. These men were so pleased with the Dunkerton's hospitality that they recommended the route cross the Dunkerton farm. Mr. Dunkerton made the company an offer that if the railroad crossed his farm, and if a station named Dunkerton was located on it, he would donate the right of way through his land. Otherwise, the company would be required to pay for the land they crossed. His offer was accepted, and grading began in August and was completed December 1, 1886.
On October 19, 1886, the town of Dunkerton was surveyed and platted by John Ball, the Black Hawk County surveyor. The plat was filed and recorded. The town was called Dunkerton to coincide with the name of the railroad station. Several villages in the surrounding area (Lester, Blakeville, Barclay, Frogtown, and Gresham) gradually ceased to exist as businesses and homes moved to Dunkerton to be near the railroad.
In 1899, A.S. Cummings took the steps necessary to have the town incorporated. John A. Campbell was the first mayor, E.W. Magee Sr. the town clerk, and C.M. Roberts the treasurer.
Attractions
Dunkerton History Museum
The Dunkerton History Museum is located in the lower level of the Dunkerton Public Library, 203 E. Tower Street. The museum board is currently in the process of restoring three historic buildings in the lots to the east of the library: the Barclay #3 one-room school, which will become an extension of the museum and house historic displays; the Gresham (Bennington #1) school, which will be restored as a reproduction of a one-room school and a venue for hosting one-room school experiences; and the Lincoln Depot, which will tell the story of the railroad serving as the catalyst for the founding of the town of Dunkerton in 1886. Hours of the museum coincide with the library's open hours.
Parks
The city maintains four parks, including Charma Park, Eagle Scout Park, Gazebo Park, and Carol Hauptly Memorial Park, as well as Mixdorf Nature Preserve and the Dunkerton Sportsman's Club.
Historic Bridge
The historic Dunkerton Bridge spans Crane Creek, connecting Charma Park to the city. The pedestrian bridge was built in 1909 and is still usable today.
Veterans Memorial Park
The Dunkerton Veterans Memorial Park on Main Street replaced an earlier hand-painted billboard containing the names of Dunkerton residents who had served in the military. The new monument, built in the early 2000s, allows families to purchase a brick engraved with the name of a veteran and details of their service. As of October 2003, there were 297 such bricks.
Arts and culture
Dunkerton Days Annual Festival
Dunkerton celebrates "Dunkerton Days" in late July, with a car show, parade, mud volleyball tournament, fishing derby, and bike races, among other activities. The highlight of Dunkerton Days is the fireworks show which brings many people from surrounding areas. Newly added to Dunkerton Days is the Rust + Dust Market, which is a flea market bringing people who like junk from all over Iowa.
Dunkerton Public Library
After many years of city planning and fundraising, the Dunkerton Public Library was rebuilt out of the flood zone and opened its doors in December, 2010. The new facility includes computers, expanded inventory, and a special children's section.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.