Avon, Iowa
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Avon, Iowa
|settlement_type = Former unincorporated community
|nickname =
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|image_skyline =
|imagesize =
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|pushpin_map=Iowa#USA
|image_map =
|mapsize = 250x200px
|map_caption = Location of Avon, Iowa
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{USA}}
|subdivision_type1 = State
|subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Iowa}}
|subdivision_type2 = County
|subdivision_name2 = Polk
|subdivision_type3 = Township
|subdivision_name3 = Allen
|government_footnotes =
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|timezone = Central (CST)
|utc_offset = -6
|timezone_DST = CDT
|utc_offset_DST = -5
|elevation_ft = 850
|coordinates = {{coord|41|31|43|N|93|31|24|W|type:city_region:US-IA_source:GNIS-enwiki|display=inline,title}}{{GNIS|464453}}
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Avon is an unincorporated community in Polk County, Iowa, United States.
History
The original townsite of Avon was platted by Charles Keeney in either 1855, or 1856. Nearby Avon Lake, one mile southeast, was founded when the railroad bypassed Avon. The first schoolhouse in the area was built in 1856.Anon. (1880). The History of Polk County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, its Towns, Etc. Birdsall, Williams and Company. p. 622.
At Avon's founding, it was the only village in Allen Township, and enjoyed several early years of prosperity. It had a large hotel, a United Bretheren church, several stores, and more than 20 houses.{{Cite book |last=Dixon |first=J. M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f7VzjK4PW-MC&q=avon |title=Centennial History of Polk County, Iowa |date=1876 |publisher=State register, print |pages=53 |language=en}} The Avon post office began operations in 1857.{{Cite web |title=Post Offices |url=https://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&searchtext=Avon&state=IA&county=&searchtype=word |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=www.postalhistory.com}}
Avon's population was 6 in 1900,{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9AzrWecxN1wC |title=Cram's Modern Atlas: The New Unrivaled New Census Edition |date=1902 |publisher=J. R. Gray & Company |pages=203–207 |language=en}} 11 in 1925,{{Cite web |title=Atlas of Johnson County, Iowa, 1917 |url=https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/islandora/object/ui%3Aatlases_13465 |access-date=2022-12-05}} and 18 in 1925.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WqRRAQAAMAAJ |title=Premier Atlas of the World: Containing Maps of All Countries of the World, with the Most Recent Boundary Decisions, and Maps of All the States, territories, and Possessions of the United States with Population Figures from the Latest Official Census Reports, Also Data of Interest Concerning International and Domestic Political Questions |date=1925 |publisher=Rand McNally & Company |pages=190 |language=en}}
The Avon post office closed in 1927.
Avon's population was 22 in 1940.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZTcjAQAAMAAJ |title=The Attorneys List |publisher=United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, Attorney List Department |year=1940 |page=293 |language=en}}
Avon's cemetery was previously known as Watts Cemetery.
On March 5, 2022, an EF4 tornado struck the town (albeit at a slightly weaker strength), damaging multiple homes and facilities.{{cite web |title=Norwalk suffers widespread damage in Saturday's storm |url=https://www.kcci.com/article/kcci-norwalk-iowa-storm-coverage/39338795 |website=KCCI |access-date=8 March 2022 |language=en |date=7 March 2022}}
References
{{Portal|Iowa}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Polk County, Iowa}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Unincorporated communities in Polk County, Iowa
Category:Populated places established in 1855