Zearing- A Great Town To Call Home Quiz

Answer: 1881

Zearing was founded in 1881. However, the area was inhabited in the 1840s by farmers, and some of those same families are still in town or on the outskirts to this day. We are excited to be celebrating our 125th birthday in 2006.

Answer: A judge from Chicago

A judge from Chicago, Illinois offered to donate a church bell to the church if the town would name itself after him. By the way, the wealthy landowner's dog choice is actually how the town of Colo, Iowa, just ten miles to the south of Zearing, got its name.

Answer: True

Zearing was actually once about five miles north and east of its present location, and was originally called "Illinois Grove". The town was moved to accomodate the railroad that was put in where present day Zearing is. However, the railroad is no longer in town, and the line has been defunct for over 35 years now.

Answer: Sparrow's Belgian 40 horse hitch

Dick Sparrow is known throughout the Midwest for his 40 horse team of Belgian draft horses. Because he is retired, his son Paul now has the honor of heading up the horse hitch team. FYI: Dakin's lake is a mile north of town, and is mainly known to the locals. Prarie Rail Trail is a nature trail that stretches from Zearing to Roland, and follows the route of the old railroad tracks that once went through the area. Zearing Days is well known, but only just got started going again after a 20 year hiatus.

Answer: Story

Zearing is tucked away in the northeast corner of Story County.

Answer: McCallsburg and Colo

Zearing combined with "burg" to become NESCO (or NorthEast Story County) in the 50s. Then in the late 80s NESCO combined with Colo, and is now known as the Colo-NESCO school district. They even kept the NESCO mascot, the Royals.

Answer: Never had a murder in town history

In 125 years of existence, Zearing has never had one single murder, and hopefully we never will. There was one bank robbery back in the 50s, but a posse of local boys caught up with the guy a few miles down the road. Whenever we get a hard season of rains, the Minerva Valley creek that runs right through the middle of town (running west to east) overflows and floods the south central part of town. Several times in recent history a tornado has just glanced off the north or south edges of town.

Answer: RAGBRAI

RAGBRAI, or Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, is a late summer cycling event which brings cyclists from all around to our state to ride from the Missouri River on the western border to the Mississippi on the eastern border of Iowa. Once in the early 80s and again in the late 90s this event came through Zearing, and quadrupled the size of the town for a few hours while the riders rested or took in the festivities at the local tavern before going on to the next leg of the event.

Answer: Ames, Marshalltown, Iowa Falls

If you drove about 25 miles north of Zearing you would be in Iowa Falls; 25 to the west and you would be in Ames; 25 to the east, and you would be in Marshalltown. About 45-50 miles to the south would take you to Des Moines.

Answer: Zearing- A Great Town To Call Home

"Welcome to the Heartland" was the old state motto of Iowa. The other two incorrect choices are from other towns in the area.