According to a2zdirectory, Alton, Iowa is a small town located in Shelby County. It has a population of about 500 people and is known for its close-knit community and rural lifestyle. The town is located in the middle of the Midwest, about two hours northwest of Des Moines.

The geography of Alton is mostly flat with rolling hills, and the town itself sits on the banks of the West Nishnabotna River. The river provides a beautiful backdrop to the city, with many parks and trails along its banks where residents can enjoy nature. There are also several lakes nearby which provide great fishing opportunities as well as recreational activities like kayaking or canoeing.

The main industry in Alton is agriculture and there are many farms located around the city that produce corn, soybeans, hay, and livestock for sale on local markets. The area also has some natural gas fields that provide energy to nearby towns as well as some coal mines that produce fuel for electricity generation.

The climate in Alton is typical for Iowa with hot summers and cold winters. The average high temperature during summer months can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit while winter temperatures can drop down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below at times. Rainfall averages around 35 inches per year which helps keep the soil fertile for farming activities throughout the year.

Overall, Alton provides residents with a small-town feel while still being close enough to larger cities like Des Moines to offer access to more amenities or services if needed. Its rural setting makes it ideal for those looking to get away from city life while still being able to enjoy all that nature has to offer in this part of Iowa.

History of Alton, Iowa

Alton, Iowa is a small town located in Shelby County. It was founded in 1855 by settlers from Ohio and Illinois who were looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and settle down in a rural area. The town was named after Alton, Illinois which was the hometown of one of its original founders.

The first settlers were mostly farmers who grew corn, wheat, oats, and hay for sale on local markets. They also raised livestock such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and horses for their own use as well as for sale. As the years went on more businesses began to open up in town such as blacksmiths, general stores, banks, hotels, and churches.

In the early 1900s Alton began to expand with the opening of several coal mines nearby which provided fuel for electricity generation. This industry helped grow the population of the town significantly over time and it eventually became known as a small but thriving community with plenty of jobs available to its residents.

As time went on Alton continued to grow with more businesses opening up within its borders such as grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, hardware stores and more. In addition to this new businesses were also built around the coal mine industry which provided even more employment opportunities for locals.

Today, Alton has a population of about 500 people and is still known for its close-knit community and rural lifestyle. Although it has grown over time it still retains much of its original charm that drew people here in the first place so many years ago making it a great place to live or visit if you’re looking for some peace and quiet away from city life.

Economy of Alton, Iowa

Alton, Iowa is a small rural town located in Shelby County. The economy of Alton is largely based around agriculture, with many of the local residents deriving their income from farming and related activities such as livestock breeding and grain milling. The town also has several small businesses including general stores, restaurants, gas stations, hardware stores and more.

The coal industry has played an important role in Alton’s economic development over the years. Several coal mines were opened in the area during the early 1900s which provided fuel for electricity generation. This industry employed many locals and helped grow the population of Alton significantly over time.

Today, Alton is still largely dependent on agriculture for its economic activity, however in recent years tourism has become increasingly important to the local economy as well. The town’s rural setting makes it ideal for those looking to get away from city life while still being able to enjoy all that nature has to offer in this part of Iowa. Visitors can explore trails within nearby state parks or take advantage of fishing and hunting opportunities in the area.

Alton also benefits from its close proximity to larger cities like Des Moines which offer access to more amenities or services if needed. This allows locals to take advantage of job opportunities or other services that may not be available in a smaller rural community like Alton while still being able to enjoy all that living in a small town has to offer.

Overall, Alton’s economy continues to benefit from both traditional agricultural activities as well as newer industries such as tourism which help keep it vibrant and prosperous into the future.

Politics in Alton, Iowa

The politics of Alton, Iowa are largely dominated by the Republican party. The town has been represented in the Iowa House of Representatives since 1895 and the Iowa Senate since 1897. All of Alton’s representatives have been Republicans except for one period from 1921 to 1923 when a Democrat held the seat.

The mayor of Alton is also a Republican and is elected every four years. The local government consists of an elected city council and mayor who work together to set policy for the town. The council meets regularly to discuss issues such as taxes, zoning regulations, infrastructure projects, public safety and more.

Alton is also part of Shelby County which is also largely dominated by Republicans with all five county supervisors being members of that party. The county has a board of supervisors who are responsible for setting policies related to taxation, infrastructure projects and more on a wider scale than just within the town limits.

In terms of national politics, Alton generally votes Republican in presidential elections with the most recent being Donald Trump in 2016 receiving 57% of the vote compared to Hillary Clinton’s 37%. In terms of congressional elections, Alton is part of Iowa’s 4th district which has been represented by Republican Steve King since 2003.

Overall, Alton’s politics are largely dominated by Republicans both locally and on a larger scale with this trend likely to continue into the future given its rural location and conservative values among many residents here in this part of Iowa.