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 Irwin,
Iowa
Established in 1881 * population 336
 Location
In Shelby County at the intersection of county highways F24 and M42. Irwin is only 24 miles north of Interstate 80. The topography consists of rolling hills and abundant farmsteads.
Utility & Telecommunication providers
Water: Municipal.
Gas: MidAmerican Energy Company.
Electricity: MidAmerican Energy Company.
Phone Service: Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Co. serves a 580 square mile area in West Central Iowa including Irwin. Paging, voice mail, calling cards, cellular service along with 100% digitally switched calling is provided. FMTC 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 28 channels.
Cellular Service: Cellular One, Verizon & FMCTC wireless.
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: 28
Fire insurance class in city: 8
Fire insurance class outside city: 9
Police protection: Shelby County Sheriff's Dept.
Industrial waste pickup service: yes
Percentage of city streets hard surfaced 100%
Schools
 The
Irwin-Kirkman-Manilla School System - is comprised of two campuses. Manilla, eight miles to the north, houses the early childhood center and grades
9-12, while Irwin has the preschool attendance center and grades 2-8. The school system regularly sends students to state competitions in band, speech, track, football, basketball, wrestling, and softball. There are active booster organizations for both music and athletics.
Business & Industry
Farm Service Cooperative of Irwin - provides fertilizer , chemicals, seed corn and other seeds, tires, fuel, agronomy services and sells and erects grain bins. Farmers Elevator
-- buys and sells grain, grinds and mixes feeds. It also offers grain banking, grain drying and storing, hauling services and sells animal health products. Grain storage capacity is 1.5 million bushels.
 Robinson Implement Inc. -- sells new and used farm/lawn/garden equipment and a full line of hardware supplies. It also provides welding, overhauling and farm repair service throughout Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Minnesota.
Shelby County State Bank (Irwin branch) - assets of $186 million. Other businesses include - convenience store with grocery, deli, movie rental and gasoline; three auto body shops, two beauty shops, two mechanic shops, one bar and grill with seating for 80, a computer service and sales shop, gunsmith, locker plant with deli, and corn sheller; an independent insurance agency, tank wagon, two plumbing and electric shops, and a bulldozing service. A local woodcarver has a studio on his farmstead and sells his carvings throughout the
country.
Churches
St. Paul Lutheran Church, United Methodist Church, and the Church of Christ.
Bragging Rights
Irwin is a community-minded town with an active volunteer fire department, ambulance service with 15 certified EMTs, a 92-member Chamber of Commerce and a variety of other service organizations including American Legion, Eastern Star, Masons, Library Club and the Irwin Youth Foundation. Irwin Community Building - available for meetings, auctions, receptions and other community events. The facility annually hosts over 116
events.
Tourism
Greenridge Steam & Gas Antique Show -is held annually in mid-September featuring two days of working agricultural exhibits,
old-time music, flea market and food. Alumni Association -sponsors a reunion weekend every five years.
Cen+10 Museum -a 14-room museum, is sponsored by the Irwin Historical Society.
The City Park -features picnic facilities with shelter house, sand volleyball court, ball field, playground, and concession stand.
Prairie Rose State Park -13 miles south of Irwin, is a pristine 640-acre water refuge that provides fishing, boating and swimming on its 210-acre lake, as well as camping and hiking. R.V. campground - 12 miles southwest of town. Golf - two public golf courses are within 12 miles.
Hunting - Hunters come from all over the U.S. to the area to hunt pheasant and deer.
History
Founded in 1881, on the then southwestern branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad and on the main line of the Chicago & Great Western Railroad. The town was named after E. W. Irwin, on whose land it was platted on May 30, 1881. |
