This week in Independence
About Independence
Independence got its name in the summer of 1847, when three state-appointed commissioners picked a spot near the middle of Buchanan County for its new county seat and, with the Fourth of July just ahead, settled on a patriotic name. Only a dozen or so people lived there at first, but by the end of the 1850s mills, shops, churches, hotels and a courthouse had grown up along the Wapsipinicon River and the town counted about 1,500 residents. Around 1890 local businessman Charles W. Williams made it famous for harness racing: his trotters Axtell and Allerton set world records, and more than 10,000 people turned out when his Rush Park track opened. The big stone-and-brick Wapsipinicon Mill from 1867 still stands at the river's edge as a museum run by the county historical society, and the 1940 Art Deco courthouse sits on the high ground east of downtown. Today more than 6,000 people call Independence home, and the town still throws a big Fourth of July celebration worthy of its name.
Along 1st St E
- Chuong Garden Chinese Restaurant · 105 1st St E
- Color Divine Salon and Spa · 108 1st St E #2807
- EaGenies Scots N Knots · 109 1st St E
- Allerton Brewing Company · 110 1st St E
- Northeast Iowa Doulas, Llc · 110 1st St E
- Grow Buchanan - Iowa · 112 1st St E
- Independence Area Chamber of Commerce · 112 1st St E
- Buchanan County Tourism · 112 1st St E
- Sanity Room · 117 1st St E
- Gedney Bakery & Coffeehouse · 118 1st St E
- Christease Coiffure · 119 1st St E Ste B
- Studio 21 Photography · 119 1st St E Ste B
- Ninny Frank's · 119 1st St E
- Indee Area Gymnastics Academy · 121 1st St E
- Kaddy Rack · 201 1st St E
- Plush Salon · 203 1st St E
- Total Image · 205 1st St E
- Flower Mill · 207 1st St E
- Odin's Mark Metaphysical Emporium · 209 1st St E
- BEMusic · 209 1st St E
- Eschen's Clothing · 211 1st St E
- B & D Services · 212 1st St E
- Quilter's Quarters · 213 1st St E
- The Rusty Fork Antiques and More · 214 1st St E
- NAPA Auto Parts · 216 1st St E
- Adams Family Furniture · 217 1st St E
- Las Dos Marias Mexican Restaurant · 220 1st St E
- S & K Collectibles · 221 1st St E
- BankIowa · 230 1st St E
- Independence Bancshares Inc · 231 1st St E