Wellman is a city in Washington County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Iowa City, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,524 at the time of the 2020 census.
History
Wellman is named for Joseph Edward Wellman, who in July, 1879, provided of his farmland for railroad construction including lots for development near the depot. Mr. Wellman was born in Lawrence County, Kentucky on 12 May 1824, acquired his farm in 1859, and died in Wellman on 14 January 1901.
Original European settlement of the area occurred in 1839 on the north side of the English River north of Wellman. A gristmill began operation in 1842, and the community of Wassonville was surveyed and platted in 1848. The Wassonville ferry served a major territorial road from Iowa City to Oskaloosa and the western frontier. A roadhouse had been constructed by 1850 and population grew to 300. Wassonville residents discouraged by frequent flood damage from the English River established the replacement village of Dayton on higher ground south of Wassonville in 1855. Dayton was the main trading point of the area from about 1860 to 1880, and the name was changed to Daytonville by the United States Post Office in 1878.
Overview
Wellman was founded in 1878 and had a centennial celebration in 1979. The town holds an annual, family-oriented Fourth of July celebration. The city's motto is: "A Town That Cares"
The local weekly newspaper is the Wellman Advance. The city is served by its own volunteer ambulance service and volunteer fire department, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1978. Enhanced 911 service is available in the entire area. Two municipal parks are within the city limits - The North Park provides recreational facilities including lighted tennis courts, lighted baseball diamonds, playground facilities, a YMCA and a band shelter. The South Park is located along the "Smith Creek" waterway and is used extensively for horse shows and various entertainment programs. The English River winds its way just north of Wellman and provides for an abundance of sightseeing, hiking, canoeing and bird watching. The city has one of the few remaining golf courses with sand greens.