Osceola has a relaxed pace with nature, jobs and easy commuting
Osceola is home to about 5,500 residents who enjoy an easygoing pace and abundant outdoor activities in the rolling hills of southwest Iowa. “We have a historic town square and we’re very rural,” says Ashleigh Eckels, director of Osceola Chamber Main Street. “We’re about 45 minutes south of Des Moines, but we have more of a small-town feel.” With proximity to major highways and a strong economy supported by employers like Boyt Harness Company, Iowa Steel and Hormel-owned Osceola Foods — the largest employer in Clarke County — Osceola offers rural charm, job opportunities and convenience close to Interstate 35.
Most homes were built throughout the 20th century
Osceola’s housing stock largely consists of homes built throughout the 1900s. Bungalows, Nationals, American Foursquares and Colonial Revivals from the early 20th century pair with midcentury split-levels and ranch-style homes. New builds can be found around the municipal golf course in Country Club Manor and along the manmade Arbor Valley Lake. The median sale price is about $200,000, higher than nearby Creston.
Easy access to I-35 and Iowa’s busiest Amtrak station
U.S. routes 69 and 34 intersect in Osceola, and Interstate 35 is on the west side of town. Des Moines and its international airport are roughly 50 miles away, while Omaha is a straight shot west, about 130 miles away. Clarke County Hospital offers medical care in town, and an Amtrak station offers rail service on the California Zephyr line, a lengthy route between Chicago and the Bay Area. “We have the busiest Amtrak station in Iowa,” Eckels says. “The train comes at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and we do have an underpass, so if there’s a train, you can go under the tracks.”
Students can earn college credit at Clarke High School
Iowa has open enrollment, but kids can attend Clarke Community Schools, which serves Osceola and the surrounding rural communities and receives a C rating from Niche. Clarke Elementary School is rated C-minus, as is Clarke Middle School. The middle school shares a building with Clarke High School, rated C. The high school offers concurrent enrollment through Southwestern Community College, which has a branch in town.
Multiple parks, trails and lakes, plus a casino
With miles of hiking and biking trails winding through town, outdoor enthusiasts have plenty to explore. The city boasts six parks and numerous lakes, including East Lake Park, a 170-acre expanse featuring an 11-acre lake stocked with bluegill, catfish and bass. Clarke County Recreation Complex spans 52 acres and houses the community aquatic center, skate park, soccer fields and ball fields. Golfers can enjoy a round at Osceola Municipal Golf Course, while entertainment seekers can head to Lakeside Hotel and Casino. “We also have a casino, which for our sized town is pretty neat. It draws a lot of traffic, and with that, it pushes more funds back into the community,” Eckels says. For a night out, the Lyric Theater has $5 movie tickets.
Historic town square gets a million-dollar facelift
The city is updating its historic town square with a $1.5 million reconstruction project that includes new streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure improvements. The downtown area is home to local restaurants, businesses and boutiques such as Ivy Rose Boutique, The Grassroots Home and Southern Iowa Saddle Shop. Laid-back dining options include Nana Greer’s Family Table and The Iron Horse, a staple for dinner and drinks. There are also several Latin American eateries, including Playa Margaritas Mexican Restaurant and Cuban Flavor. Revelton Distilling Company creates field-to-flask spirits using corn sourced from Clarke County farms, and it supports sustainability by repurposing the mash by-product as cattle feed. Fareway, Hy-Vee and Walmart have groceries covered.
Locals celebrate events downtown
“Our big event is the Fourth of July celebration,” Eckels says. “We’ve been doing it for 100 years. We have carnival rides, live music and a parade.” The annual Wine Walk brings residents downtown for a night of Iowa wines, craft beer and shopping on the square. “We also have the Latino Festival,” Eckels says. “We have a pretty diverse population for a town of our size.”
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
