Rockville, Iowa

Rockville is a former city in Delaware County, Iowa, United States. Bordering Dubuque County within the North Fork Township, it was approximately 3 miles northwest of Worthington and 1.5 miles west of today's Iowa Highway 136.

Rockville, Iowa
Unincorporated community
Rockville
Location within the state of Iowa
Coordinates: 42°25′7″N 91°8′32″W
Country United States
State Iowa
CountiesDelaware
Government
Elevation
925 ft (282 m)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
52078
Area code(s)563
FIPS code19-68220
GNIS feature ID0464725

History

Rockville was founded in 1845 by Oliver A. Olmstead.[1] Second only to Delhi, it was one of the oldest towns in Delaware County. The area served as an important trading point and included a sawmill, a gristmill, a blacksmith, hotel, and various stores. Slightly predating Rockville's establishment, a log schoolhouse was built in 1843. This would be rebuilt in brick after burning down ten years after its founding.

During this era, Rockville served as a stagecoach stop for those heading west of the Mississippi River. The Rockville post office opened June 15, 1846 with Olmstead serving as postmaster, and a hotel was opened for travelers of the Western Stage Company. The town's popularity even saw Charles W. Hobbs, one of the first settlers in Delhi, relocating to Rockville in 1850. Hobbs subsequently opened a store which allegedly found great success.

However, Rockville's prosperity would not last in the face of its developing neighbors. The town's proverbial death knell came not long after the Dubuque and Pacific Railroad Company began building rails in the newly formed town of Dyersville. Rockville's post office closed for the second and final time on May 31, 1898.[2] As Delhi and Dyersville grew, the town's role as a stagecoach declined and would virtually vanish by the end of the 19th century.[3] Today, the area is recognized simply as a rural area on the outskirts of Worthington. Remnants of its history can be seen in Rockville Cemetery, which includes veterans of the Civil[4] and Mexican Wars,[5] and the nearby remains of an old mill, which resides at the North Fork of the Maquoketa River. The hilly area, still traversed by gravel roads, now consists primarily of farms and woodland.

Geography

Rockville is located at 42°25′7″N 91°8′32″W (42.4186086 -91.1420837), at an elevation of 925 feet (282 m).[6]

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References
  1. The History of Delaware County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, &c. Western Historical Company. 1878. pp. 551.
  2. USGS GNIS: Rockville Post Office GeoNames.usgs.gov (September 26, 2003). Retrieved on 5-11-08.
  3. Sand, Latisha Long lost county towns not forgotten Manchester Press (December 20, 2005). Retrieved on 7-03-09.
  4. Aichison, Adrian Dump Ditch Cemetery - Old Baptist Cemetery near Worthington, Iowa RootsWeb.Ancestry.com (2004). Retrieved on 5-10-08.
  5. Gassmann, Loras Rockville Cemetery IAGenWeb.org (July 30, 2007). Retrieved on 5-10-08.
  6. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Rockville, Iowa
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