Rathbun is a city in Appanoose County, Iowa, United States. The population was 43 at the time of the 2020 census.
History
Incorporated in 1897, Rathbun was established in 1892 as a mining town. It was named for Charles H. Rathbun, a mine official. At the end of the 19th century, "the valley of Walnut Creek was one continuous mining camp, known under different names, Jerome, Diamond, Mystic, Clarksdale, Rathbun and Darby" (later known as Darbyville).
The Star Coal Company of Streator, Ill. operated the Rathbun Mine, with an shaft. This mine was in operation in 1895, and by 1908 it was considered one of the best equipped longwall mines in the county. The Darby mine, operated by the Unity Block Coal Company, was about a mile northeast of Rathbun. This had a shaft and was nearly played out by 1908. The Evans Mine, about halfway between the Rathbun and Darbyville, formerly operated by the American Coal Company, had already been closed by 1908. In 1912, United Mine Workers Local 372 in Rathbun had 213 members. This was close to half the total population at the time.
Geography
thumb|An aerial photograph of Rathbun, Iowa, taken on September 25, 2023
Rathbun is located approximately one mile west of the confluence of Walnut Creek and the Chariton River, about two miles south of the Rathbun Dam.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.
Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Rathbun has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.