Nora Springs was founded in 1857 and was incorporated in 1875. It was first called Woodstock, but community pioneer Edson Gaylord, managed to persuade wealthy pioneer Edward Greeley of nearby Woodbridge (later Nashua) to come to town. Greeley agreed to buy and improve the gristmill, and to purchase 20 acres of land from Gaylord, if the town would change its name from Woodstock to Elnora, in honor of a former lady love from Vermont. Gaylord had wanted the town to be named "Springs" and as a result of a compromise, Woodstock became Elnora Springs, quickly shortened to Nora Springs. Shortly thereafter, Greeley made a trip to Vermont; upon his return, he sold the land back to Gaylord, returned to Woodbridge, and never visited Nora Springs again.
At its founding, the town's business district was located near the millpond and nearby gristmill, at the western end of present day Sixth Street NW. Two competing railroads began laying track several blocks to the south; as a result, the downtown gradually moved nearer to the rail lines, and the former business district became known to locals as Old Town. The gristmill went out of business, and stood empty for many years. It was demolished in the late 1950s. The millrace and dam still exist, and in recent years, the city has developed the area into a scenic park. A footbridge over the Shell Rock River dam was constructed in 2019,
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.22 square miles (5.75 km2), of which 2.19 square miles (5.67 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) is water.[4]
As of the census of 2020,[6] there were 1,369 people, 574 households, and 358 families residing in the city. The population density was 617.7 inhabitants per square mile (238.5/km2). There were 620 housing units at an average density of 279.7 per square mile (108.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.5% White, 1.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 3.9% of the population.
Of the 574 households, 28.2% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 6.6% were cohabitating couples, 26.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 20.7% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 37.6% of all households were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.
The median age in the city was 41.4 years. 25.3% of the residents were under the age of 20; 5.1% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 and 44; 24.0% were from 45 and 64; and 22.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.
2010 Census
As of the census[7] of 2010, there were 1,431 people, 577 households, and 388 families residing in the city. The population density was 653.4 inhabitants per square mile (252.3/km2). There were 636 housing units at an average density of 290.4 per square mile (112.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.1% White, 0.1% African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.
There were 577 households, of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.8% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.91.
The median age in the city was 41.2 years. 24% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 27.5% were from 45 to 64; and 18% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
2000 Census
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 1,532 people, 597 households, and 401 families residing in the city. The population density was 700.5 inhabitants per square mile (270.5/km2). There were 629 housing units at an average density of 287.6 per square mile (111.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.54% White, 0.07% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.07% from other races, and 0.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.85% of the population.
There were 597 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.
24.0% are under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,926, and the median income for a family was $43,516. Males had a median income of $28,043 versus $21,536 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,246. About 3.0% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
Nora Springs Buffalo Days
Buffalo Days at Boulder Park
The last week of June always marks Nora Springs Buffalo Days. Festivities include a parade, entertainment at Boulder Park such as food vendors, and inflatable rides. Other activities include a 5K Run/Walk and Bingo. At the Fire Department the Fireman's Ball is held from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.[9]
All high school students in the district, grades 9-12, as well as K-3 elementary students from the Plymouth, Manly, and Hanlontown area attend school at the Manly site. Meanwhile, all middle school students, grades 4-8, plus grades K-3 from the Nora Springs and Rock Falls area, plus those from the unincorporated community of Portland, attend school at the Nora Springs site.[13] The school colors are black and blue, the mascot being a panther.[14]
Notable people
Louis Bauman Brethren, minister, writer, and Bible conference speaker, and was born in Nora Springs.
Arthur Gratias, Iowa State Senator, farmer, and educator, was born in Nora Springs.[15]
John P. Gregg LSU college football coach, Wisconsin quarterback, and died in Nora Springs.
Howard B. Rooks, Electrical Engineer, 10 US Patents, born and raised in Nora Springs.[16]
^" Each of those districts had been established on July 1, 1959, as a result of school consolidations; North Central (Falcons, school colors Columbia blue and white) schools in Hanlontown (Hawks, school colors red and white,) Plymouth (Pirates, school colors green and white,) and Manly (Railroaders, school colors blue and silver;) Nora Springs-Rock Falls (Eagles, school colors orange and black) from the Nora Springs (Orioles until 1951, thereafter Eagles, school colors orange and black) and Rock Falls (Wildcats, school colors red and black.) For one year, just prior to these consolidations, the Plymouth and Rock Falls High Schools had shared a few elective courses in Plymouth, namely Home Economics and Woodshop; the building there being somewhat larger, and thus able to make space available. yu REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on January 6, 2019.
