Communia, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Communia is an unicorporated community
located in Clayton County
, Iowa
in the south half of section 8, Volga Township
. The area was established as a German Colony in 1847.
, consisting of nine Germans and one Frenchman, met in St. Louis
to set off for new land under the direction of Joseph Venus. The group traveled north by steamer
to the area of Dubuque
. After buying necessary provisions, the group left on foot with only one wagon and three oxen to the northwestern area of Volga Township
.
After one night of rest the men immediately began building and organizing the area. During the first year, three log houses and one blacksmith shop were built.
The men welcomed anyone who wished to join, no matter how much or how little they contributed, and over the next few years the colony began to flourish.
The community prided themselves for the peaceful and welcoming environment they had created. The colony maintained a good relationship with the large Native American
population and regularly traded with other emerging colonies within the area.
Despite the great success of the colony, the area dissolved in 1858 after much of the land and property was sold off by various families.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
located in Clayton County
Clayton County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 18,129 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,999 housing units, of which 7,599 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
in the south half of section 8, Volga Township
Volga Township, Clayton County, Iowa
Volga Township is a township in Clayton County, Iowa, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 551.-Geography:Volga Township covers an area of and contains two incorporated settlements: Elkport and Garber...
. The area was established as a German Colony in 1847.
History
In early 1847 a group of pioneersAmerican pioneer
American pioneers are any of the people in American history who migrated west to join in settling and developing new areas. The term especially refers to those who were going to settle any territory which had previously not been settled or developed by European or American society, although the...
, consisting of nine Germans and one Frenchman, met in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
to set off for new land under the direction of Joseph Venus. The group traveled north by steamer
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
to the area of Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
. After buying necessary provisions, the group left on foot with only one wagon and three oxen to the northwestern area of Volga Township
Volga Township, Clayton County, Iowa
Volga Township is a township in Clayton County, Iowa, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 551.-Geography:Volga Township covers an area of and contains two incorporated settlements: Elkport and Garber...
.
After one night of rest the men immediately began building and organizing the area. During the first year, three log houses and one blacksmith shop were built.
The men welcomed anyone who wished to join, no matter how much or how little they contributed, and over the next few years the colony began to flourish.
The community prided themselves for the peaceful and welcoming environment they had created. The colony maintained a good relationship with the large Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
population and regularly traded with other emerging colonies within the area.
Despite the great success of the colony, the area dissolved in 1858 after much of the land and property was sold off by various families.