The Story of Ruthven...

The community of Ruthven, Iowa, provides an open history book that describes how the unique characteristics of our state and people developed, not only from Iowa’s initial settlement by pioneers, but from the geologic activity that created our state’s topography and granted it the gift of its rich soil. It is located in Northwestern Palo Alto County close to the boundary of Clay County.

The history of the community really begins with the arrival of the last glacier to touch Iowa some 10,000 to 14,000 years ago. The Des Moines lobe of the Wisconsin glacier terminated close to what is now the town of Ruthven. The glacier carved out several small lakes, the largest of which is Lost Island Lake, and led to the nickname of the community, “The Heart of the Iowa Lakes Region.” A high ridge to the south and west of the town is called “The Ruthven Moraine” in geologic references, and is the highest point in Palo Alto County.

The glacier would ultimately influence the settlement of the area and its ethnic makeup. In 1860, or at the eve of the Civil War, the population of Palo Alto County was probably not more than 100. Following the Civil War, settlers arrived in large numbers. The tendency was for settlers arriving from other parts of the country to settle in the more level land to the west, while the rougher and swampier terrain to the north and east was occupied by newcomers from other countries, primarily from Norway, Denmark and Sweden. The initial settlement in the area was known as Lost Island, and was located on the north shore of Lost Island Lake. This served as a stopping point for a stage that ran between Algona and Spirit Lake. The arrival of the railroads resulted in the formation of the town of Ruthven. Eventually, two rail lines would run through Ruthven, providing both passenger and freight service. The rails took locally produced livestock, eggs and butter to eastern markets.

The community of Ruthven continues to evolve. The dramatic changes in agriculture have resulted in operations that no longer are as dependent upon the goods and services provided by a small community. The community, however, continues to be a highly desirable place in which to live and raise a family. It has developed new commercial enterprises and also serves as a bedroom community for those employed in the larger communities of Emmetsburg and Spencer. It provides a wonderful place in which to observe the wonders of nature and the changing of the seasons. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has restored substantial acreages of wetlands and prairies to their original state. The Ruthven-Ayrshire School is a source of great pride to the community, and its students have gone on to achieve outstanding records at our state’s public and private colleges and universities. The community combines the advantages of small town living with the convenience of nearby medical services and shopping. It has reasonable proximity to major medical and transportation facilities at Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, and the Twin Cities.

submitted by Alan Oppedal