Aurelia, IA

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When the railroad was built from Iowa Falls to Sioux City, it is said that more than 80 town sites were laid out along the railroad. Each town had to have a name. John I. Blair, railroad builder, named the town of Aurelia after one of his daughters. Because the government guaranteed compensation for the number of miles of railroad built, the rail line wandered northwest to LeMars and then south to Sioux City, rather than going directly from Iowa Falls to Sioux City, which explains how Aurelia was located on the rail line.

Aurelia has the unique position of being equal-distant from Sioux City and Fort Dodge, which in the early days of its history gave the town many marketing advantages. Grain, cattle, and hog buying were important businesses in this area.

The first school building was built in 1872 and served the town until 1878 when increased population required a two-story, four rooms building which served the town until 1922.

Much of the earliest recreation among the earliest settlers was simply getting together with the neighbors, or church activities. A few neighborhood clubs were organized; many of which still meet.

The three churches were the Methodist, organized in 1878, the Congregational, organized in 1883, and St. Paul Lutheran, organized in 1925. Another early church was the German Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The Aurelia Public Library was established in September 1917 by a group of public-minded citizens. The first committee voted to pay $1.00 dues for the first few years. Besides donations, there were food sales, chicken pie suppers, social teas, and other days to meet expenses. Open house for the present library building was September 22, 1965.