Hampton has a range of amenities in a small area
Hampton is a rustic nerve center that packs an eclectic assortment of amenities into a community of 4,300. The seat of Franklin County, Hampton has a quaint downtown around a striking historic courthouse, multiple spacious places for outdoor recreation and close-by public schools. Still, the area’s established homes go for relatively affordable prices. That’s what local broker Brad Staley considers the biggest draw to the community. “When you’re talking county seat towns of this population, I would say they have an advantage over many of them,” says Staley, owner of Staley Real Estate and a Hampton native.
Buyers can choose from a wide variety of classic options
The bulk of Hampton’s homes were built between 1880 and 1980. That means that, while many options have some age, homebuyers have an array of architectural styles, including foursquares, bungalows and ranch-style houses. Homes sit off from the street on roomy lots — the median is about one-fifth of an acre. Properties needing upgrades go for $40,000 to $60,000, while most listings sell for $70,000 to $400,000. “You’ll have houses that don’t need anything, and then you got houses that a flipper could jump in and do well trying to improve and resell," Staley says.
Hampton’s downtown provides plenty of eats and entertainment
Situated right at the center of the community, Hampton’s downtown is full of retro Italianate-style brick buildings with glass storefronts. The buildings revolve around the Romanesque Revival-style Franklin County Courthouse, built in 1890. Many of the businesses in this area are restaurants. La Frontera Restaurant is a favorite for tacos. The pork tenderloin and brisket sandwiches are popular items at Willie’s Restaurant. B&C Kitchen is a Chinese restaurant where the egg drop soup is well-regarded. Rustic Brew offers a mix of coffee and craft beer. “They’re very popular,” Staley says.
Locals can shop at downtown spots like Troves of Treasure, a thrift store with clothes, home decor, art and books. The locally owned Koerner-Whipple Pharmacy is an option for prescriptions, and Fareway is nearby for groceries. An outing downtown can also mean a movie at the Windsor Theater, which is over 110 years old and still screens new films. “It’s been renovated,” Staley says. “And they do a great job of getting the best movies they can.”
Local schools provide plenty of opportunities to get active
The Hampton-Dumont Community School District carries a B-minus rating from Niche. “When you talk about schooling, obviously, the quality of teachers is huge,” Staley says. “And I believe ours is really good.” The district’s B-rated North Side Elementary includes preschool through kindergarten, while the C-plus-rated South Side Elementary covers grades 1 through 4. Hampton-Dumont Middle gets a C-plus and offers sports programs from football to cross-country. Sports are also prevalent at the C-plus-rated Hampton-Dumont High, and the school boasts a recent state champion in the shot put.
Outdoor spaces foster activities from disc golf to fishing
Hampton’s rural landscape leaves room for multiple green spaces. “You can get most anything you need here,” Staley says. “From tennis to pickleball to golf to bike paths, walking paths, fishing, small boating and hunting.” Progress Park has tennis courts. A nine-hole disc golf course is available at East Park, a facility that also provides access to the 28-mile, paved Rolling Prairie Trail. Anglers can drop a line into Spring Creek from Harriman Park or head north to hunt the waters in Beeds Lake State Park. The lake is open to low-speed boating, and the park has a campground. Hampton Country Club has a semi-private nine-hole course. Indoor pickleball courts are among the amenities at Franklin Wellness Center, which charges for entry.
The county fair is a well-established tradition
Hampton hosts the annual Franklin County Fair across five days in July. The fair dates back nearly 170 years and draws tens of thousands for rodeos, auto races, live music and more. “You’ll have people from out of state, from several states,” Staley says. “They’re getting major music events for the grandstand. It’s a real bargain as far as bang for your buck. Because they don’t charge for parking, they don’t charge for admission. There are a lot of free events on the grounds.” Tuesday on the Town is another Hampton tradition, a series of free concerts at the area’s Band Shell Park.
Central roadway is a key thoroughfare
The community’s Central Avenue is part of Iowa Highway 3, the longest state highway in Iowa. It connects to U.S. Route 218 for trips to the Waterloo Regional Airport, 55 miles away. The airport provides direct service to Chicago . Franklin Medical Center is just off Highway 3 in Hampton and includes a 24-hour emergency department.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
