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 Earling,
Iowa
Incorporated in 1882 * population 447
"Progress
is our Future"
Location
Earling is located in SW Iowa in Shelby County at the intersection of State Highways 191, 37 & County Highway M-16. The topography consists of gently rolling hills sprinkled with abundant farms.
Utility & Telecommunication providers
Water: Municipal.
Gas: MidAmerican Energy Company.
Electricity: MidAmerican Energy Co.
Phone Service: Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Co. serves a 580 square mile area in West Central Iowa including Earling. Paging, voice mail, calling cards, cellular service along with 100% digitally switched calling is provided.
FMCTC also offers free custom calling features such as call forwarding, call waiting, speed dialing,
three-way calling and equal access for all long distance calling.
Internet Service: Farmers Mutual provides 56kbs & DSL from 128 kps to 8 mbs.
Cable Service: Farmers Mutual provides 38 channels.
Cellular Service: CellularOne, Verizon & FMCTC Wireless.
Rail: Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroad service.
 Municipal Services
Council/Mayor government
Comprehensive city plan: yes
City zoning ordinance in effect: yes
County zoning ordinance in effect: yes
Subdivision ordinance with design standards in effect: no
Number of volunteer fire department personnel: 20
Fire insurance class in city: 8
Fire insurance class outside city: 9
Police protection: Shelby County Sheriff's Department
Industrial waste pickup service: yes
Percentage of city streets hard surfaced: 100%
Schools
Youth attend either the Harlan Community Schools (K-12) or the Shelby County Catholic Schools (preK
- 8). Shelby County schools are among the State's leaders in combining a top-quality academic education, with a wide variety of successful extracurricular activities.
Business & Industry
Approximately 30 business are located here including a nursing home, a locally owned bank, tractor repair business, 2 car service stations, meat locker, two bars, grain elevator, two feed stores, ag-chemical store, beauty shops and retail shops.
 Little Flower Haven - Earling's largest employer, has a 52-member staff which cares for 62 residents. This State of Iowa licensed intermediate care facility, opened in 1964, is recognized for its warmth and the comfort of its homelike
atmosphere.
Churches
St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Bragging Rights
There was an exorcism in Earling in 1928. It has been officially documented by Papal officials in Rome. The subject was a young lady who was not from the community. Today, the exorcism is a matter of controversy and curiosity, but for the folks of Earling in 1928, it was a frightening experience. Two books, "BE GONE SATAN" and "THE DEVIL ROCKED HER CRADLE," have been written about those fateful days in 1928. Founded in 1881, Earling was a railroad town made up primarily of German
immigrants.
 Tourism
St. Joseph Catholic Church - is a must-see for visitors coming to Earling. The circa 1882 Church with its soaring 150' steeple and Gothic-styled architecture is breathtaking. Its numerous stained glass windows illuminate a spacious interior that is both enthralling and inspiring. Newly painted statues depicting the saints and the Stations of the Cross decorate the wall and the columns of the church. A visit to St. Joseph Catholic Church will never be forgotten.
St. Joseph's Parish Picnic - a two day picnic celebrated on the 2nd weekend of July. The festivities consist of a demolition derby, carnival rides, games, and plenty of food and beverages.
History
The arrival of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway through the north and west parts of Shelby County in 1881-82 gave rise to the platting of Marathon on August 21, 1882 by the Milwaukee Land Co. The town was originally known under the name of Marathon, but later adopted the name for the then head of the railroad, President Earling. Also located five miles west of present-day Earling was the original county seat, Shelbyville. In 1859, voters decided to move the Courthouse to Harlan and all that remains of Shelbyville is a plaque placed by the Shelby Co. Historical Society in 1983.
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