Welcome to the town of Plymouth, "where neighbors are friends." Our friendly, close-knit community is located in the great state of Iowa. While small, we are an active community that takes pride in all that we offer to both residents and visitors alike.
If you live in Plymouth or are visiting, we encourage you to browse our website for helpful information on a variety of topics. If you have any questions, you can contact us by phone or email at any time, or you can stop by City Hall, where our office hours are Monday through Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Whether you call Plymouth home or are just traveling through, we hope our website serves as a helpful introduction to our city.
Contact City Hall with any questions or concerns. (641) 696-3363
History of Plymouth
Plymouth originated in 1858 in a log cabin used as a stagecoach and mail stop known as the "Star Corner," which was a half-mile south of the city's present location. The first frame building was a general store. In 1859 a post office was built, followed by a hotel, blacksmith shop, and a stone schoolhouse.
In 1870 the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul railroad tracks were laid, and a new town was surveyed and platted near the scenic banks of the Shell Rock River now known as Plymouth. It is believed the very large glacial boulder found southeast of the existing town reminded the settlers of "The Plymouth Rock" in Massachusetts, thus the name of Plymouth was given to this newly formed community. Plymouth was incorporated on October 18, 1900.
The first settlers were mainly of English descent who crossed the prairie by oxen-driven wagons that farmed the land and opened businesses as the need developed.
Plymouth was once a bustling business community. Our community now has very few businesses, and few residents remain that were born and raised in Plymouth. Most residents move to Plymouth to make their home in a small rural community where "neighbors are friends," and the atmosphere is calm and relaxing.
School
The first Plymouth school was a log house owned by Rev. Thomas Tenney and taught by Miss Harriet Tenney in the winter of 1856 to 1857.
The first schoolhouse was built in 1858, and the first teacher was C.W. Tenney. This school was torn down in 1867.
The brick high school was built in 1916, and the grade school addition was completed in 1954. Plymouth consolidated with Manly and Hanlontown in 1959. The Plymouth school colors were green and white, and their nickname was "Pirates."
North Central Community School, Plymouth Center (grades K - 6), was torn down during the fall of 1999. This property is currently a city park.
City Hall
The current city hall was built in 1925 to house the city's two 13,500-gallon water pressure storage tanks for the $15,000 city water system. A large fire at a two-story building on Main Street in 1925 prompted the city water system that was originally installed only for fire protection. The building was used to house the city's Ajax chemical engine, a 1916 hose cart, a 1934 Model T truck, and a 1947 Chevy pumper.
The building was remodeled to add restrooms and a kitchen when the fire barn was built in 1958. Additional remodeling added a library and council chambers. The city has not had a library for many, many years. The city contracts with nearby Manly for library services for the city residents.
The hall is rented out for family gatherings and meetings, and the senior citizens use the hall on Mondays for cards. Community coffee is held on Tuesday mornings.
Census 2020
The City of Plymouth has partnered with Cerro Gordo County and other communities within the county to promote awareness about the census, why it is important, and to encourage citizens in our communities to be counted.
Why It Is Important:
Census Affects Funding in Your Community - Census data directly affect how more than $400 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation, and much more. That's more than $4 trillion over a 10-year period. Spending just a few minutes to fill out your census form will help ensure your community gets its fair share of federal and state funding. Over the 10 years between census counts, a community loses more than $12,000 for each uncounted citizen.
Census Affects Your Voice in Congress - Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the census is also used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and to redistrict state legislatures.
Census Affects Your Representation in State and Local Government - Census data are used to define legislature districts, school district assignment areas, and other important functional areas of government.
Census Informs Your Community's Decisions - The census is like a snapshot that helps define who we are as a nation. Data about changes in your community are crucial to many planning decisions, such as where to provide services for the elderly, where to build new roads and schools, or where to locate job training centers.
The 2020 Census will be a short-form only census and will count all residents living in the United States as well as ask for name, sex, age, date of birth, race, ethnicity, relationship, and housing tenure - taking just minutes to complete. All information is kept confidential! By participating in the census, you can help create a better future for you and those important to you.
Counting Everyone Once - and Only Once - and in the Right Place
