Grinnell

Grinnell is a city in Poweshiek County, Iowa, developed around the 120-acre Grinnell College campus. The streets display a mix of Victorian houses, older residential buildings, and modern structures that reflect growth across multiple generations.

The town was founded in 1854 when Josiah B. Grinnell and his associates established the settlement as a center for education and commerce. The college that emerged shortly after became the driving force in the community's development and prosperity.

The Merchants' National Bank was designed by renowned architect Louis Sullivan and reflects innovative design thinking of the early 1900s. The building shapes the city's character and tells of the town's economic importance during that era.

The city offers basic services like a regional medical center and downtown shops within walking distance of each other. Visitors can find easy routes through the compact downtown and explore the surroundings without much planning.

A stone marker at the city's southern edge marks the route of the Mormon Trail, which passed through during westward expansion in the 1840s. This historic path connects local history to a larger migration movement that shaped settlement across the land.

Location: Poweshiek County

Inception: 1854

Elevation above the sea: 309 m

Website: http://grinnelliowa.gov

GPS coordinates: 41.74361,-92.72472

Latest update: December 12, 2025 13:44