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Butler County, Iowa

24 topographic sheets cover 19 settlements here, and 7 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

7 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Iowa within the United States
Butler County within Iowa

What the record shows

  • 174 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 7 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 5 buildings and 2 structures.
  • 2 of the 7 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 19 populated places in this county; 19 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

7

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Cherry Street Bridgestructure199898000753
Coldwater Church of the Brethrenbuilding197979000883
Charles H. & Theresa H. McBride Bungalowbuilding201110001205
Netcott-Pfeiffer Housebuilding200707000347
Renke and Wubke Renken Housebuilding201413001075
Shell Rock Bridgestructure199999000307
Charles Wolf Housebuilding197979000884

Wildfire, 2006 to 2020

24 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 24 of them, burning about 319 acres. None started naturally and 5 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined8
Debris and open burning7
Arson/incendiarism5
Equipment and vehicle use4

The five largest, by the area the report gives. One of them was set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
11 April 2014Debris and open burning150 acresIowa Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
17 October 2020Equipment and vehicle use40 acresIowa Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
20 March 2015Arson/incendiarism20 acresIowa Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
1 December 2006Missing data/not specified/undetermined15 acresIowa Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
25 April 2013Debris and open burning10 acresIowa Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
20 March 2015Missing data/not specified/undetermined10 acresIowa Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
1 April 2010Missing data/not specified/undetermined10 acresIowa Department of Natural Resources53265 140TH ST., IOWA
17 October 2020Equipment and vehicle use8.0 acresIowa Department of Natural Resourcesnot named

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1952 to 2025

60 of 509 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 509 reports for this county, causing 11 deaths, 58 injuries and about $94,746,530 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail172
Thunderstorm Wind135
Flood67
Heavy Rain66
Tornado31
Flash Flood28
Funnel Cloud7
Lightning3

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
May 2008Tornado (EF5)Aplington9 killed, 50 hurt, $75,000,000First EF5 tornado in Iowa since 13 June 1976. Nine deaths and 50 injuries occurred in Butler County. Tornado moved out of Butler County and continued in Black Hawk County.
May 2013FloodParkersburg1 killed, $500,000Beaver Creek out of its banks and flooding about a mile long section of Iowa Highway 57 west of Parkersburg. Iowa DOT has already closed that section of the highway with water reaching several houses.
May 2017Thunderstorm WindParkersburg1 killed, $60,000Coop observer reported very high winds estimated at over 70 mph. Power reported out in Parkersburg, semi overturned on Highway 57 resulting in one fatality, and numerous tree limbs down on roads. A 3 foot diameter tree also downed in Parkersburg.
September 1961Tornado (F4)not stated7 hurt, $2,500,000no account filed
May 2017Thunderstorm WindAplington1 hurt, $100,000A machine shed was blown down on top of a person, who was extricated and taken to the hospital. A building in Greene collapsed and caused a gas leak. Widespread tree damage and numerous trees down, power lines down and building damage throughout the western half of the county.
June 1984Tornado (F1)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
June 2013FloodParkersburg$1,000,000About 1500 to 2000 feet of railroad tracks were washed out near Parkersburg. Several houses on the west side of town have at least a foot of water in them.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindGreene$600,000Large steel outbuilding was destroyed. Eighteen houses sustained structural damage.
June 2013Flash FloodEleanor$500,000Thunderstorms produced 3.5 to 4 inches of rain in a short time. Roads covered in Aplington in the area of Highway 57 and 6th Ave.
June 2013Flash FloodAustinville$500,000Highway 57 closed both east and west of Aplington due to water. Numerous County roads including black topped roads are closed in the Aplington area and to the south and west of Aplington.
July 2011Thunderstorm WindAplington$500,000House roof was partially ripped off and 6 outbuildings were destroyed with significant tree damage.
June 2013FloodNew Hartford$500,000no account filed
July 1999Flash FloodClarksville$500,000no account filed
June 2014Tornado (EF0)Allison Muni Arpt$400,000This second tornado near Clarksville formed just south of tornado #1 as it was in the latter stages of its life. It heavily damaged multiple shelter belts and destroyed several outbuildings on a farmstead before dissipating. It caused EF1 damage to both the shelter belts and the farmstead.
July 1999Flash FloodParkersburg$350,000no account filed
July 2021Tornado (EF1)Shell Rock$300,000Tornado developed southwest of Shell Rock and moved along 250th Street. The tornado impacted several farmsteads along 250th producing EF1 damage to buildings and trees at many of the locations. The tornado was also quite wide with the the max width extending over 600 yards. The tornado continued into Bremer county.
September 2016FloodClarksville$300,000Emergency Manager reported levee on the west side of Clarksville along the Shell Rock river failed and the southwest side of town is flooding. Residents being evacuated.
June 2013Flash FloodDumont$300,000Highway 3 covered by running water in various places between Hansell and Dumont in Butler County. Streams out of their banks and fields full of water.
June 2008FloodNew Hartford$300,000no account filed
June 2014Thunderstorm WindClarksville$250,000Numerous trees and power lines down throughout town. Worst trees damage was on the southern and western side of town. Most trees in this region sustained limb damage or were snapped. Winds lasted six minutes based on spotter account. The falling trees damaged several houses, buildings, and power lines.
May 2013Flash FloodNew Hartford$250,000Terrace Ave, a gravel road levee, is failing and water is flowing into New Hartford.
June 2010FloodDumont$250,000From Highway 3 north to the south half of town is flooding and evacuations are taking place. West Fork of the Cedar River flooding this area. Highway 3 is closed east and west of Dumont.
June 2013FloodPackard$250,000no account filed
May 2013FloodNew Hartford$250,000no account filed
June 2008FloodPackard$250,000no account filed
May 2018FloodShell Rock$200,000The Shell Rock River at Shell Rock crested at 13.66 feet on 5 May 2018 at 20:15 UTC.
September 2016Flash FloodGreene$200,000Emergency Manager reported many roads closed throughout the northern fourth of Butler county. The Shell Rock river reported beginning to leave its banks and moving toward businesses in downtown Greene. Sandbagging ongoing in Green and Clarksville.
September 2016Flash FloodGreene$200,000Emergency manager reported multiple homes in Greene now being impacted by floodwaters from the rapidly rising Shell Rock river. Also estimated that the river is near the level it reached in 2008.
June 2014Tornado (EF1)Allison Muni Arpt$200,000This is the first of three tornadoes that formed around the Clarksville area. This narrow tornado formed north of Allison and tracked just south of due east, hitting several farmsteads and causing primarily tree damage. The tornado strengthened to an EF1 as it passed over a farmstead towards the end of its track, completely destroying a barn and heavily damaging a shelter belt. The tornado dissipated shortly thereafter as the second tornado passed just to the south.
June 2014Tornado (EF1)Clarksville$200,000This short-lived tornado formed east of Clarksville and caused damage to multiple shelter belts. It strengthened to an EF1 as it passed over a house and removed part of its roof. The tornado damaged another house a mile further east before dissipating shortly thereafter.
June 1997Flash FloodParkersburg$200,000no account filed
June 2016LightningGreene$150,000Emergency Manager reported a house fire due to a lightning strike.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindWilmar$150,000Small car and tractor blown off highway. Many large trees down on houses. Numerous trees up to 4 feet in diameter and power lines down in the city of Greene with the entire city without power.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindAredale$150,000Significant roof damage to a containment building.
May 1999Flash FloodNew Hartford$150,000no account filed
June 2018FloodShell Rock$100,000The Shell Rock River at Shell Rock crested at 15.45 feet on 11 June 2018 at 11:15 UTC.
June 2018FloodGreene$100,000Flooding continued along the Shell Rock River with all campgrounds near Clarksville closed including Henry Woods State Park and Shell Rock Park due to flooding. A few businesses along the river were impacted as well.
June 2018FloodGreene$100,000Flooding is occurring along Flood Creek with several roads inundated.
September 2018FloodShell Rock$100,000The Shell Rock River at Shell Rock crested at 14.49 feet on 6 September 2018 at 1415 UTC.
September 2018FloodAredale$100,000Emergency manager reported several road closures due to water over the roadways across the county with the worst area near Dumont.
September 2018FloodShell Rock$100,000The Shell Rock River at Shell Rock crested at 15.44 feet on 22 September 2018 at 1715 UTC.
June 2008FloodAplington$100,000A failure of a levee in New Hartford on U.S. Highay 14 north of Parkersburg and Highway 57 west is closed at Aplington. Highway 57 east was closed at New Hartford.
May 2004Flash FloodCountywide$100,000no account filed
June 1997Tornado (F1)Dumont$100,000no account filed
June 2014Thunderstorm WindAredale$80,000Two empty grain bins ripped from foundation and thrown 75 yards to the SE. Swath of area 4 miles south and several miles east of this point also had tree limb damage.
December 2021Thunderstorm WindBristow$75,000Emergency manager reported one outbuilding leveled and another missing the north wall. Time estimated from radar.
June 2012Thunderstorm WindAllison Muni Arpt$75,000A barn was blown down by strong winds. Branches of up to a foot in diameter were blown down as well.
September 2001Tornado (F1)Shell Rock$75,000Tornado hit grain bin and blew downwind 1/4 mile. Shed was destroyed on a farm south of Shell Rock. Tornado moved into Bremer County.
June 2002HailParkersburg$75,000no account filed
June 2002Flash FloodCountywide$75,000no account filed
December 2001Thunderstorm WindAllison$75,000no account filed
May 1998Thunderstorm WindAredale$75,000no account filed
June 2014Thunderstorm WindClarksville$70,000Swath of RFD winds south of the two tornadoes. Large tree snapped on farmstead. Empty grain bin rolled 75 yards to the ENE. Many tree limbs downed for a mile north and several miles E and W of this point.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindGreene$50,000Emergency manager reported trees blown onto a house west of Greene near the intersection of 110th st and Keystone Ave. Time estimated from radar.
March 2019FloodAustinville$50,000Iowa DOT reported Iowa 57 from near Austinville to west of Parkersburg closed due to flooding.
September 2018FloodDumont$50,000Iowa DOT and local law enforcement reported flooding along Highway 3 in both directions in Dumont. The road was closed overnight and the flooding ended as the level of the Shell Rock River and Hargrave Creek near Dumont both started to fall.
September 2018FloodGreene$50,000Emergency management reported multiple road closures due to standing or running water over the roadways. Creeks across much of the county were overwhelmed with flooded fields as well.
September 2018Flash FloodPackard$50,000A trained spotter reported that multiple gravel roads west of Plainfield have water flowing over them, as much as 2-3 feet deep.
June 2016FloodGreene$50,000The Emergency Manager reported the Shell Rock River was out of its banks in the town of Greene, and was entering a campgroud and near a few business in town. Campers were evacuated from the campground. The park was flooded, and the water did not enter any businesses.
September 2016FloodShell Rock$50,000Iowa DOT and local law enforcement have closed Highway 3 between County Road T55 near Clarksville and US 218 near Shell Rock due to flooding of the Shell Rock River.

Mines and quarries

43 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 43 workings inside this county. 9 still produce and 34 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction23
Stone, Crushed/Broken20

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Bruns QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Carolus QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Engle-Clarksville QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Freeseman QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Green Limestone Co ShopStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Lubben QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Neymeyer QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Oltmann QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Park QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Rattlesnake QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Shell Rock QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Steer QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Stubbe QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
UnknownStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Witte QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Wpa QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Austinville PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
Beucholtz PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Clarksville PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Greene PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Hurd PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Knocks Sand and GravelSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Kreymeyer PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Limburg PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Schnee PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
Shell Rock PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Stevenson PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown

Every populated place in the county

19

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.