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 Elk
Horn,
Iowa
Incorporated in 1910 ¥ population 606
"The Heart of Dane
Country"
www.ElkHornIowa.com
 Location
In Shelby County, Iowa, located at the intersection of County Road F58 and Hwy 173 -- only six miles north of U.S. Interstate 80. In the heart of southwest Iowa's picturesque countryside.
"Velkommen" to our community. We invite you to visit for an experience of real Danish Hospitality as you learn more about our proud
heritage.
Utility &
Telecommunication providers
Water: Municipal.
Gas: MidAmerican Energy Company.
Electricity: MidAmerican Energy Company.
Telephone service: Marne-Elk Horn Telephone Co. provides local telephone service to Elk Horn, Kimballton, Marne,
Exira, and Brayton, with over 1,400 access lines. All exchanges are the latest digital switches with Signaling System 7 and class services (caller
identification-- name and number, call waiting, call forwarding, etc.). They are a member of INS (Iowa Network Services) providing state-of-the-art telecommunications services over a fiber optic network. Other services offered include cellular, paging, calling cards and 800 numbers. Cable TV: Marne-Elk Horn Telephone Co. provides a
50-channel cable television system including 11 channels of high
definition.
www.metc.net
Internet:
Marne-Elk Horn Telephone Co. at 512K - 8Mbps DSL.
Cellular Service:
Verizon
and US Cellular.
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: yes
Number of volunteer fire department personnel: 21
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
The Elk Horn-Kimballton School has experienced growth over the past 10 years and presently serves 340 youth, plus a preschool. The district enjoys very solid support from its parents and community which help it provide a safe and secure environment. The district is currently emphasizing technology which has resulted in three computer labs, at least one computer in every classroom, an ICN site
and networking throughout the building. School facilities are outstanding and the financial status of the district is sound.
Business & Industry
Salem Lutheran Home - a 156-bed group home, with 56 beds devoted to residential, 10 devoted to skilled care, 10 devoted to Alzheimer care and 80 for nursing beds. This facility provides a continuum of care for the elderly of Elk Horn and the surrounding area. Salem Lutheran Homes offers residential, intermediate, and skilled care, along with a specialized Alzheimer's unit. Salem Lutheran Home is also the City's second largest employer, offering an excellent benefit package for employees and the community.
Housing - the City's only major multiple housing unit is the Elk Horn Development Corporation facility on Union Street. The three building facility features 12 two-bedroom rental units.
For more information 800-451-7960 - veterinarian, pharmacist, lawyers and a Myrtue Memorial Hospital Medical Center with a Physicians Assistant, restaurants, bakery, locker and grocery store featuring Danish delicacies for everyone and typical handicrafts abound in homes and
shops.
Churches
Elk Horn Lutheran - First Baptist Church - All faiths within 14 miles.
 Tourism
Danish Windmill Museum & Welcome Center - authentic 1848 windmill built in Denmark and reassembled in Iowa. Video & tour of the working mill. Includes a Danish import shop and Iowa Welcome Tourism Center. For more information call:
800-451-7960 or log on at www.DanishWindmill.com
 Danish Immigrant
Museum, an International Cultural Center, tells the story of the journey and experience of the Danish immigrant, from the decision to leave Denmark, to the establishing new homes, schools and churches in America. You will also see the first piano of the famous Danish immigrant, Victor Borge; the tiny The Morning Star Chapel; The Danish Immigrant Wall of Honor; and the Family History Center. For more information call: 712-764-7001 or (800) 759-9192 or visit the web site -
www.dkmuseum.org
 Bedstemor's House - in 1990, the Elk Horn-Kimballton Arts and Recreation Council presented The Danish Immigrant Museum
this beautifully restored and fully functioning historic Danish home. The home was built by Danish immigrant Jens Otto Christensen after he came to American in 1889. Bedstemor means grandmother in Danish. This charming, ethnic home welcomes visitors for tours throughout the summer.
Tivoli Fest- Tivoli Fest Info Sheet
- Elk Horn's Danish Celebration, is held Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy Danish foods and specialties such as Smorbrod, aebelskiver and medisterpolse. Tours of Danish Windmill, Bedstemor's, the Danish Immigrant Museum and visits to unique gift shops add to the experience. There is a parade, Danish folk dancers, an entertainment stage, and much more. For more information call:
800-451-7960.Tourism
 Jule Fest
- held Thanksgiving weekend. The fun-filled Christmas festival with over 25 local businesses, organizations, historical sites and museums. Visit the unique gift shops, large Christmas Boutique and more! Information call:
800-451-7960.
Tourism Spending Impact -
1998 Tourist Attendance - 73,050
Average Travel Party - 4.1
Persons Average Spending Per Day- $141.14
Estimated Total Spending - $5.2 Million
Estimated Economic Impact - $14 Million
 Tourism Services
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Dining Establishments 5
Bed & Breakfasts 3
Motel with Indoor Pool 31 rooms
Specialty Shops 8
Historical Museums & Sites 3
Community Swimming Pool & Park 1,
5 acre park R.V. Park 1
Bragging Rights
Elk Horn is the largest rural Danish settlement in the U.S. The community was settled by early Danish immigrants with many of the small homes done in Danish architecture. Many of the Danish customs are still followed in the homes. The Danish Windmill received Iowa's top tourism attraction for 1990 and the Danish Immigrant Museum received the same honor in 1994. The small town of Elk Horn is very neatly kept with well manicured lawns in which you will see many miniature windmills. Everyone is proud of the Danish heritage and when you visit you will experience the friendliness of this Danish
community.
History
The town was incorporated in 1910 and became the center of Danish immigration in the middle of the 19th century when the homeland became crowded and living conditions more difficult. The first major undertaking of the Elk Horn Danes was a folk school for the education of Danish immigrants and settlers and the was the first of this kind in America. Another mutual project was the organization of the Danish Mutual Fire Insurance Association which has grown to one of Iowa's largest Mutuals.
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