History
In the year 1834, a man named Whiteaker purchased land for the settlement of a town. In 1835, he sold the land to John Howell and John L. Cotton who proceeded to lay out a body of land south of the town plat. It was called Cotton Town, or Decatur. In 1836, Abraham Hunzieke purchased these claims and plotted the present town. It was at this time that the town became known as West Point.
West Point was the original county seat, but in the fall of 1845 it was removed to Fort Madison.
At one time there were seven churches in the town of West Point. Currently, two have survived: St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the West Point Presbyterian Church. The West Point Presbyterian Church was organized in 1836, with building commencing in 1838. It is the oldest church of its denomination in the state, and the first brick church in Iowa. St. Mary’s Catholic Church was established in 1842, in 1858, the present brick building was constructed, and over the years it has been remodeled, and today serves over 500 parishioners.
Since it’s beginnings, West Point has been home to many businesses including: mercantile stores, grain mills, furniture stores, hat shops, butcher shops, and hotels. For entertainment, the citizens of West Point visited the opera house, the theater, the library, the Rose Garden (for dancing) or followed their own professional baseball team the “West Point Indians.”
Today the town’s life revolves around the many small and large businesses, community projects, school activities, and church activities. The Sweet Corn Festival is an annual event, which brings thousands of people to the town. The St. Mary’s Fall Festival is also held in West Point.
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