INFORMATION
Exira is a city in Audubon County, Iowa, United States, along the East Nishnabotna River and U.S. Route 71. The population was 840 at the 2010 census.
The oldest town in Audubon County, Exira was founded in 1857. The town was named for Exira Eckman, daughter of Judge John Eckman from Ohio, who agreed to purchase a lot of property in the town if the town was named for his daughter.
The main industries in and around Exira are agriculture and agribusiness. Exira has an elementary school, built in 1913, and a high school, completed in 1959. There are four churches in the town.
On July 2, 1958, Exira was ravaged by the flooding of the East Nishnabotna River. Nineteen persons in the area lost their lives, 75 homes were destroyed and almost 20 businesses in the western part of Exira were damaged.
Exira is well known for its Fourth of July celebrations, which have been celebrated since 1861. The morning parade and the evening fireworks draw thousands of visitors to the town. Another attraction is Littlefield Recreation Area, 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of Exira, which features a 70-acre (280,000 m2) lake, prairie restoration area and a live bison pair.
The oldest town in Audubon County, Exira was founded in 1857. The town was named for Exira Eckman, daughter of Judge John Eckman from Ohio, who agreed to purchase a lot of property in the town if the town was named for his daughter.
The main industries in and around Exira are agriculture and agribusiness. Exira has an elementary school, built in 1913, and a high school, completed in 1959. There are four churches in the town.
On July 2, 1958, Exira was ravaged by the flooding of the East Nishnabotna River. Nineteen persons in the area lost their lives, 75 homes were destroyed and almost 20 businesses in the western part of Exira were damaged.
Exira is well known for its Fourth of July celebrations, which have been celebrated since 1861. The morning parade and the evening fireworks draw thousands of visitors to the town. Another attraction is Littlefield Recreation Area, 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of Exira, which features a 70-acre (280,000 m2) lake, prairie restoration area and a live bison pair.
City of Exira, Ia. 50076
Darrell & Vi Kilworth have been working on a couple of things about the Flood of 1958. One thing Darrell has done is set up a number (712-764-1958) with Marne Elk Horn Telephone so you can hear 5 stories from survivors. Hear what they remember of the frightening & devastating night in July 1958.
Darrell is working on more interviews, so more stories will be added.
Darrell is also working on getting the map that Tony Kommes drew of west town and where people lived and worked, to have all that wash away during the flood, and also a map that Ken Akers has spent time getting of those who were swept away in the Nishnabotna River from Hamlin to Griswold. Nineteen lives were lost during the flood. Tony's and Ken maps we hope will become a feature in the Flood Park on Washington Street.
Darrell is working on more interviews, so more stories will be added.
Darrell is also working on getting the map that Tony Kommes drew of west town and where people lived and worked, to have all that wash away during the flood, and also a map that Ken Akers has spent time getting of those who were swept away in the Nishnabotna River from Hamlin to Griswold. Nineteen lives were lost during the flood. Tony's and Ken maps we hope will become a feature in the Flood Park on Washington Street.
Mayor's News
Good Friday Morning,
The Lady Spartans did not make the finals but they should all be proud of themselves for a great undefeated season, as the only undefeated team in Class 1A that accomplishment is fantastic. The Communities of Exira, Elk Horn, Kimbillton are very proud of the team, coaches, cheerleaders. Come and celebrate the team, March 7th at 2:15 at the Elk Horn Gym. Let's Go Spartans!
Calendar dates and what is happening around the area:
Exira Lutheran Church will be serving their annual Aebleskiver Brunch on March 8th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Take-outs are available.
Exira Mason’s Scholarship Breakfast Fundraiser will be held on March 8th at the Elk Horn Fire Hall from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. They will be serving biscuits & gravy, Belgian waffles, French toast, eggs – all you can eat, free will donation. Proceeds go to 2015 scholarships for graduating seniors in the Exira-EHK school. This is sponsored by Exodus Masonic Lodge #342. A second scholarship breakfast on March 22nd in Brayton.
Monday March 9 -Blood Drive 8:00 am.
March 9th- City Council meeting. City Hall 7:30 pm. Public Welcome.
March 10- Business meeting for the Community Club. Noon, at he Library.
Tuesday March 10- MS ICDA Honor Choir.
March 12- Early Dismissal 12:30 pm
March 13- No School Spring break.
March 16th- A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in Exira from noon to 6 pm at the Exira Recreational Center, 106 N. Jefferson.
Keep checking the Calendar page for upcoming events and dates. If you have an event coming up contact me here (brendacityofexira@gmail.com) or email the City Clerk at exiraclk@metc.net . Notices also go on the message board in the park.
Let us know what is on your minds, what you think of the web site, what to change, what to add, what to take off. Feedback is always good.
Have a great day, travel safe if traveling, and come visit if you can. We are a small town with heart & pride in our community.
Thank you
Brenda Bengard
Mayor of Exira
Good Friday Morning,
The Lady Spartans did not make the finals but they should all be proud of themselves for a great undefeated season, as the only undefeated team in Class 1A that accomplishment is fantastic. The Communities of Exira, Elk Horn, Kimbillton are very proud of the team, coaches, cheerleaders. Come and celebrate the team, March 7th at 2:15 at the Elk Horn Gym. Let's Go Spartans!
Calendar dates and what is happening around the area:
Exira Lutheran Church will be serving their annual Aebleskiver Brunch on March 8th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Take-outs are available.
Exira Mason’s Scholarship Breakfast Fundraiser will be held on March 8th at the Elk Horn Fire Hall from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. They will be serving biscuits & gravy, Belgian waffles, French toast, eggs – all you can eat, free will donation. Proceeds go to 2015 scholarships for graduating seniors in the Exira-EHK school. This is sponsored by Exodus Masonic Lodge #342. A second scholarship breakfast on March 22nd in Brayton.
Monday March 9 -Blood Drive 8:00 am.
March 9th- City Council meeting. City Hall 7:30 pm. Public Welcome.
March 10- Business meeting for the Community Club. Noon, at he Library.
Tuesday March 10- MS ICDA Honor Choir.
March 12- Early Dismissal 12:30 pm
March 13- No School Spring break.
March 16th- A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in Exira from noon to 6 pm at the Exira Recreational Center, 106 N. Jefferson.
Keep checking the Calendar page for upcoming events and dates. If you have an event coming up contact me here (brendacityofexira@gmail.com) or email the City Clerk at exiraclk@metc.net . Notices also go on the message board in the park.
Let us know what is on your minds, what you think of the web site, what to change, what to add, what to take off. Feedback is always good.
Have a great day, travel safe if traveling, and come visit if you can. We are a small town with heart & pride in our community.
Thank you
Brenda Bengard
Mayor of Exira
Good Day, I wanted to pass along some information on an Endowment that has been recently set up. The Exira-Elk Horn Kimbillton School District Foundation Fund. Read the information included here.