What Cheer is a small city located in Keokuk County, Iowa. Situated along the English River, it is an ideal spot for anyone looking to experience Iowa’s natural beauty. With rolling hills and lush forests, What Cheer offers a unique landscape that blends rural charm with modern convenience.
The city itself is about three square miles in size and has a population of just over 1,000 people. It is home to several businesses including restaurants, shops, and service providers. There are also several parks located within the city limits that offer visitors a chance to enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, and hiking.
What Cheer has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The average high temperature in the summer months is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit while the average low temperature in the winter months is around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Precipitation levels tend to be higher during the spring and summer months with an average of 35 inches annually.
The terrain in What Cheer consists of rolling hills covered with grasses and wildflowers along with small patches of forested areas scattered throughout the area. The area has been used for recreational purposes since its founding in 1851 which means there are plenty of trails for biking or walking as well as access points to nearby rivers like the English River or Cedar River for fishing or canoeing trips.
Overall, What Cheer offers its residents and visitors alike beautiful scenery combined with modern amenities that make it an ideal location for anyone looking to get away from it all without sacrificing comfort or convenience. With its stunning natural landscapes filled with grasslands, forests, rivers, and streams; What Cheer truly has something to offer everyone who visits this charming Iowa town.
History of What Cheer, Iowa
According to Philosophynearby.com, What Cheer, Iowa has a long history that dates back to the late 1840s when it was established as a trading post by two brothers, William and John Hurd. William had previously served in the Black Hawk War and was looking for a place to settle down. The brothers chose the area along the English River due to its proximity to other settlements and its abundance of natural resources.
In 1851, What Cheer was officially incorporated as a town under the name of Hurdtown. During this time, the population grew steadily as more people moved into the area looking for work on farms or in factories. The town also began to prosper due to its convenient location along the railroad line connecting Iowa City and Keokuk which allowed goods to be shipped easily between cities.
What Cheer continued to grow throughout the 19th century with several new businesses being established such as general stores, hotels, blacksmiths, and more. In 1883, it officially changed its name from Hurdtown to What Cheer after an old English phrase meaning “good luck” or “prosperity” which many believe was chosen due to its positive connotations.
The 20th century saw further growth for What Cheer with new factories being built and new businesses coming into town. It also saw an increase in tourism with visitors coming from all over Iowa and beyond to experience what What Cheer had to offer including shopping, dining out at local restaurants, attending festivals like Oktoberfest or Summerfest, or just taking in some of the city’s natural beauty along rivers like English River or Cedar River.
Today, What Cheer remains one of Iowa’s most charming small towns with a population of just over 1,000 people but still offering plenty of activities for locals and visitors alike. Its rich history is evident throughout the city from old buildings still standing since its founding days all those years ago up until modern-day attractions such as unique shops and restaurants that make it an ideal spot for anyone looking for a peaceful getaway.
Economy of What Cheer, Iowa
What Cheer, Iowa is a small town with a population of just over 1,000 people. Despite its small size, the town has a thriving economy that is supported by both local and regional businesses. The town’s location along the railroad line connecting Iowa City and Keokuk has been instrumental in its economic success as it allows goods to be shipped easily between cities.
Agriculture is one of the main sources of income for What Cheer residents. The area is known for its fertile soil and abundant natural resources which makes it ideal for growing crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, and hay. There are also several dairy farms located in the area which provide milk and other dairy products to local stores and restaurants.
In addition to agriculture, What Cheer also has a diverse manufacturing sector that provides jobs for many of its citizens. Some of the industries located in What Cheer include automotive parts manufacturing, food processing plants, plastics factories, lumber mills, metal fabrication shops, printing companies, and many more. These factories help to bring money into the local economy as well as provide employment opportunities for those living in What Cheer or nearby towns.
The service sector also plays an important role in What Cheer’s economy providing jobs such as retail salespeople at local stores or restaurants as well as hospitality workers at hotels and motels located near the town’s train station. These businesses help to draw tourists into What Cheer who come to experience all that this charming small town has to offer including shopping at unique boutiques or dining out at one of its many restaurants.
Finally, tourism also plays an important role in keeping the economy of What Cheer thriving with visitors coming from all over Iowa and beyond to experience some of the city’s natural beauty along rivers like English River or Cedar River or attend festivals like Oktoberfest or Summerfest which are held annually in downtown What Cheer.
Overall, What Cheer has a vibrant economy made up of diverse industries ranging from agriculture to manufacturing to services which provide employment opportunities for locals while bringing money into the local economy through tourism and other businesses. This makes it an ideal spot for anyone looking for both job security and a peaceful place to call home.
Politics in What Cheer, Iowa
What Cheer, Iowa is a small town that is located in Keokuk County and has a population of just over 800 people. The town has a rich history of political activism and involvement in local government, dating back to its founding in 1854. At the time of its founding, What Cheer was an abolitionist stronghold and was the site of multiple rallies and debates related to the anti-slavery movement.
Today, What Cheer remains politically active with a strong focus on local issues such as education, infrastructure development, and economic growth. The town has its own mayor and city council as well as representatives in both the Iowa Senate and House of Representatives. In addition to this, What Cheer also sends representatives to Des Moines on behalf of Keokuk County for state-level issues.
The politics in What Cheer are largely driven by the small-town values held by its citizens. This includes an emphasis on community involvement as well as fiscal responsibility when it comes to spending taxpayer money. Additionally, there is strong support for public education with many residents volunteering their time at local schools or serving on school boards.
In terms of party affiliation, most residents identify as either Republican or Independent. However, there are also some Democratic voters who support candidates from both parties depending on the issue at hand. As such, elections in What Cheer tend to be competitive with both parties vying for votes from across the political spectrum.
Overall, politics in What Cheer are characterized by a strong sense of civic engagement and participation from its citizens who take an active role in shaping their community’s future through their involvement in local government and elections each year. This commitment to public service helps ensure that What Cheer remains a vibrant small town for many years to come.