BlockFrom the record
6 National Register listings published here.
Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service
Ringgold County, Iowa
28 topographic sheets cover 19 settlements here, and 6 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Research this county
What the record shows
- 205 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
- 6 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 6 buildings.
- 1 of the 6 listings was 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
6Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.
| Photograph | Property | Type | Listed | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Beaconsfield Supply Store | building | 2007 | 07000451 |
| W. J. Buck Polygonal Barn | building | 1986 | 86001471 | |
 | Middlefork Methodist Episcopal Church | building | 1990 | 90001801 |
 | Ringgold County Courthouse | building | 1981 | 81000267 |
 | Ringgold County Jail | building | 1979 | 79000939 |
 | Lee Shay Farmhouse | building | 1986 | 86003172 |
Wildfire, 2009 to 2013
5 firesEvery wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 5 of them, burning about 341 acres. None started naturally and none was recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 4 |
| Debris and open burning | 1 |
The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 April 2011 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 150 acres | Iowa Department of Natural Resources | 2 1/2 MI SE OF KELLERTON, IA |
| 17 March 2011 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 100 acres | Iowa Department of Natural Resources | S END OF DNR MARSH BY BENTON, IA |
| 2 April 2011 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 60 acres | Iowa Department of Natural Resources | 220TH NW OF KELLERTON, IA |
| 21 March 2013 | Debris and open burning | 30 acres | Iowa Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 10 February 2009 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 1.0 acres | Iowa Department of Natural Resources | not named |
Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.
Storms, 1955 to 2025
60 of 314 shownThe NOAA Storm Events Database holds 314 reports for this county, causing 5 deaths, 5 injuries and about $48,435,280 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.
| Kind of event | Reports |
|---|---|
| Hail | 105 |
| Thunderstorm Wind | 98 |
| Heavy Rain | 55 |
| Tornado | 28 |
| Flash Flood | 20 |
| Funnel Cloud | 4 |
| Flood | 3 |
| Lightning | 1 |
The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1984 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | 1 killed, 3 hurt, $2,500,000 | no account filed |
| June 1984 | Thunderstorm Wind | not stated | 1 killed, 2 hurt | no account filed |
| February 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benton | 1 killed | An adult male died when a 30 foot conveyor belt was blown over by a wind gust. The incident occurred at 2401 Co. Hwy P-27 at the Helena Chemical Company. |
| June 1984 | Thunderstorm Wind | not stated | 1 killed | no account filed |
| June 1984 | Thunderstorm Wind | not stated | 1 killed | no account filed |
| May 1989 | Tornado (F4) | not stated | $25,000,000 | no account filed |
| September 2010 | Hail | Mt Ayr | $10,000,000 | Widespread property damage in Mt Ayr to both vehicles and buildings was reported. |
| June 2010 | Tornado (EF2) | Tingley | $4,000,000 | A cone shape tornado was reported. Path was intermittent and the NWS survey suggests that the tornado hit a farmstead then lifted briefly skipping over some farms before setting back down and damaging another farmstead. Eyewittnesses also recount the tornado briefly lifting. |
| April 2001 | Tornado (F3) | Mt Ayr | $1,500,000 | Tornado moved our of Missouri into Ringgold County, across the county into Union County. |
| September 1993 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mt. Ayr | $500,000 | no account filed |
| April 2024 | Tornado (EF2) | Diagonal | $350,000 | This tornado developed in rural Ringgold County between Mt. Ayr and Diagonal. The tornado moved northeast with some damage to outbuildings and trees. The tornado crossed Highway 169 southwest of Tingley before moving through the center of town. Up to EF2 damage occurred with Tingley with an upper floor removed from one house and the destruction of some outside walls of a brick building in the downtown area. The tornado impacted a couple more farmsteads with EF0 to EF1 damage before dissipating to the northeast of Tingley. |
| June 2010 | Flash Flood | Delphos | $250,000 | Highway 169 bridge closed just south of the 10 mile post due to scouring of water from the middle fork of the Grand River. |
| July 1990 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | $250,000 | no account filed |
| May 1981 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | $250,000 | no account filed |
| April 2024 | Tornado (EF1) | Redding | $200,000 | This tornado crossed into Ringgold County, Iowa from Worth County in Missouri shortly after developing. The tornado widened to around 300 yards as it travelled northeast remaining to the southeast of both Redding and Delphos. The tornado interacted with several different farmsteads producing mainly EF1 damage to houses and outbuildings. There was ample tree damage along the path as well. The tornado eventually lifted to the east of Delphos. |
| November 2015 | Tornado (EF1) | Clearfield | $200,000 | This tornado crossed through 3 counties in southern Iowa. This is the second segment in Ringgold county. This long track tornado damaged a number of farmsteads along its 22 mile long path. The tornado was at its strongest in NW Ringgold County where EF-1 damage was found. The beginning and end sections of the track were narrow and intermittent. The narrow tornado also clipped the town of Clearfield to the NW early in its life. The tornado crossed into Union county. |
| September 2014 | Flash Flood | Westerville | $200,000 | Numerous roads were under water across the county including water over the road on the bridge of P64, a gravel road and water over the road at 210th ave with some damage to the road. |
| November 2015 | Tornado (EF1) | Delphos | $125,000 | This fast-moving tornado cut a 12 mile path through central Ringgold County, producing high end EF-1 damage at its peak. The beginning of the track was characterized by weak and intermittent damage, with the tornado strengthening and widening once it got north of IA Highway 2. Six farmsteads were hit along its track. |
| April 2024 | Tornado (EF1) | Mt Ayr Muni Arpt | $100,000 | This tornado began about 4 miles east of Mt. Ayr north of State Highway 2. The tornado remained in rural portions of central and northeast Ringgold county producing damage to mainly trees and power poles. A few farmsteads were also impacted with damage to homes and outbuildings. A hog confinement was also hit southwest of Beaconsfield. The tornado passed just west of Beaconsfield and dissipated just east of 330th Avenue north of Beaconsfield. |
| September 2014 | Flood | Clearfield | $100,000 | Numerous roads remained under water across the county including water over the road on the bridge of P64, a gravel road and water over the road at 210th ave with some damage to the road. |
| June 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Diagonal | $100,000 | A farm outbuilding was destroyed with debris blown southeast. |
| June 2010 | Flood | Mt Ayr Muni Arpt | $100,000 | Highway 169 underwater. |
| April 2009 | Tornado (EF0) | Ellston | $100,000 | Brief tornado about 1.25 miles long. Track about 30 miles wide. The EF0 rating was based on pictures and coordination with the Emergency Manager. |
| July 2008 | Flash Flood | Mt Ayr | $100,000 | Local law enforcement reported a bridge washed out on 210th Ave west of P54 as well as widespread flooding and numerous gravel roads under water throughout the county. |
| July 2008 | Flash Flood | Ellston | $100,000 | Nine inches of rain has fallen so far. In the Sun Valley Lake Area, water was over the sea wall, boats were floating off their lifts. Many roads were flooded. Worst flooding seen in years with houses threatened. |
| June 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Diagonal | $100,000 | no account filed |
| April 2024 | Tornado (EF1) | Delphos | $80,000 | This tornado developed in south central Ringgold County several miles east of Redding and travelled to the northeast. The tornado remained in the rural rolling landscape producing damage to trees and a couple of farmsteads. Most of the damage to houses was to siding and removal of portions of roofs. The tornado passed just southeast of Mt. Ayr Airport and dissipated to a few miles northeast of Mt. Ayr. |
| November 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Kellerton | $75,000 | Emergency Manager reported a hole in a big barn on its west side and shingles missing off of a house, but no major structural damage. Primarily only loose items thrown around and some uprooted trees/branches. Time estimated from radar. |
| June 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Clearfield | $75,000 | Several trees blown over and a machine shed blown over. |
| April 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Beaconsfield | $75,000 | One inch diameter hail along with damage to house roofs and vehicles. |
| July 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Kellerton | $75,000 | no account filed |
| April 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mt Ayr | $75,000 | no account filed |
| May 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ellston | $75,000 | no account filed |
| June 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Diagonal | $50,000 | Partial loss of a roof covering a home and tree damage reported in town. Roofing material was blown southeast. |
| July 2008 | Flash Flood | Delphos | $50,000 | Highway 169 north of Mount Ayr was open, but remained closed south of Mount Ayr. Highway 2 was closed and County road P68 was closed north of Highway 2. Closures due to water over the road. |
| June 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tingley | $50,000 | Two mesoscale convective systems developed over South Dakota and northern Nebraska during the evening hours of the 4th and merged into one large mesoscale convective complex. These developed in response to an approaching cold front and an upper level trough moving through the north-central United States. Moisture streamed north on a 30 to 40 kt low level jet to feed the system during the evening with 850 mb dew point temperatures in the area of 13° C. Much of what the complex produced was heavy rainfall and gusty winds. There were spotty reports of hail, but nothing of any real significance. A few of the cells were severe. The first report of severe weather in Iowa came from Plymouth County north of Sioux City. Winds of 70 to 80 mph knocked down trees and caused some roof damage at a farmstead along County Road K22, about 10 miles north of Sioux City. The storms moved into the city of Sioux City a short time later, uprooting trees and downing power lines. A mobile home park was hit where several mobile homes were overturned and a few small buildings were knocked off their foundations. There were other spotty reports of wind damage around northwest and west-central Iowa. Road signs were blown over by the winds near Galva in Ida County. The complex spawned a couple of small tornadoes. The first touched down briefly west of Galva. The county sheriff reported the tornado destroyed a few outbuildings during the brief time it was on the ground. Another tornado touched down in Buena Vista County. It first touched down south of Sulphur Springs. It hit a farmstead there where it totally destroyed a garage. The tornado tracked east across open country toward Newell. The last report of damage was west of Newell, where several trees were downed along the tornado path. The last tornado report came from southern Iowa much later. A funnel cloud was sighted in the Guss area, about five miles north of Gravity, in Taylor County. It touched down briefly, becoming a tornado, over a small lake there. It was fortunate that it only made a cameo appearance as the area of touchdown was a camping area. A nearby house was struck by lightning by the same storm. Although there was no fire, the damage to the house was significant. The lightning destroyed all of the wiring in the house and peeled the gutters off of it all the way around. The storms produced high winds over a large area. There were two injuries as a result of the winds. As the storms moved through Buena Vista County, high winds buffeted the Lakeside area. A campground on the west end of town was hit. A total of eight tents were downed by the winds, two of which were mangled beyond repair. Two campers were injured by flying debris. The injuries were minor cuts and neither camper required hospitalization. |
| June 2010 | Hail | Clearfield | $50,000 | no account filed |
| May 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Redding | $50,000 | no account filed |
| March 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Kellerton | $50,000 | no account filed |
| April 2001 | Flash Flood | Mt Ayr | $50,000 | no account filed |
| May 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tingley | $50,000 | no account filed |
| May 1994 | Hail | Kellerton | $50,000 | no account filed |
| September 1993 | Hail | Mt. Ayr | $50,000 | no account filed |
| September 1993 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mt. Ayr | $50,000 | no account filed |
| September 1993 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mt. Ayr | $50,000 | no account filed |
| April 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benton | $30,000 | A roof was blown off of a barn near 215th St and 190th Ave. Numerous tree limbs were down. |
| April 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Redding | $30,000 | no account filed |
| May 1995 | Tornado (F1) | Mt Ayr to | $30,000 | no account filed |
| December 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mt Ayr | $25,000 | Metal roof peeled off on the TEK Builders building in Mount Ayr. This is a delayed report, time estimated from radar. |
| June 2020 | Hail | Knowlton | $25,000 | Trained spotter reported quarter sized hail fell between 6:05am and 6:12am with some damage to cars. |
| September 2015 | Flash Flood | Mt Ayr | $25,000 | Gravel road was nearly washed out with the gravel washing onto Hwy 169 north of Mt. Ayr. |
| April 2013 | Hail | Beaconsfield | $25,000 | Hail still in ditches the next morning. Siding of houses damaged and plastic on shed damaged with window screens also torn. |
| June 2010 | Hail | Ellston | $25,000 | Hail lasted over 20 minutes with the largest hail falling for 5 minutes. |
| April 2008 | Lightning | Ellston | $25,000 | Lightning struck a house and started it on fire in the Sun Valley area. |
| July 2008 | Flash Flood | Mt Ayr | $25,000 | Ringgold County Emergency Management reports Highway 169 closed about a mile north of Mt. Ayr due to high water. |
| July 2008 | Flash Flood | Kellerton | $25,000 | Ringgold County Emergency Manager reports closures due to water over the road on Highway 2 three miles west of Kellerton and on County Road P64 north and south of Highway 2. Numerous gravel roads were flooded throughout the county. |
| July 2008 | Flash Flood | Beaconsfield | $25,000 | Water over County Road J25 due to Lotts Creek between County Highway P64 and County Highway P68 just north of Kellerton. |
| July 2008 | Flash Flood | Knowlton | $25,000 | Heavy rainfall put the Platte River out of its banks and flash flooding was reported with water over County Road J23. The Sheriffs office has declared all roads closed north of County Road J23. County road P27 was also closed. |
| August 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mt Ayr | $25,000 | High winds downed numerous trees in Mt. Ayr and Kellerton. Power lines were blown down around the county. |
| June 2010 | Hail | Tingley | $25,000 | no account filed |
Mines and quarries
2 recordedThe Survey's mineral resources record lists 2 workings inside this county. None of them still produces: all are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.
| Commodity | Workings |
|---|---|
| Sand and Gravel, Construction | 1 |
| Stone, Crushed/Broken | 1 |
The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams-Watterson Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer |
Every populated place in the county
19Named 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.
-
Caledonia
Lotts Creek township · 50854 · On Tuckers Creek · Hatfield quadrangle
12 sheets, 1945 to 1985
No longer a settlement
-
Diagonal
Washington township · 50845 · On Sun Valley Creek · Diagonal quadrangle
8 sheets, 1955 to 1985
-
Marshall
Waubonsie township · 50835 · On Crooked Creek · Benton quadrangle
13 sheets, 1940 to 1985
No longer a settlement
-
Mortimer
Jefferson township · 50845 · Shannon City quadrangle
8 sheets, 1955 to 1985
No longer a settlement
-
Ringgold
Lotts Creek township · 50854 · Hatfield quadrangle
12 sheets, 1945 to 1985
No longer a settlement
The vanished settlements of Ringgold County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.
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.