RAGBRAI XLI Pass-Through Town Spotlight - Packwood (Friday)

Packwood is self-proclaimed ‘God’s gift to Iowa!’  The first residence was built at the corner of Main Street and Second Street in 1879.  Samuel Packwood founded the village in 1883.  The first buildings were built along the then existing Burlington Western Railroad and included a grocery store and post office.  The town celebrated their Quasquicentenial in 2008.  As of the 2010 census, Packwood population was 204.

Packwood has enjoyed hosting RAGBRAI as a community event, making it a group effort and placing all the proceeds into a community project.  The last time RAGBRAI rolled through, the town used the funds to purchase the beautiful electronic message sign that informs every one of happenings in town.  You’ll see it when you roll in!  The time before that the town was able to fund a new basketball court for the community.  They are working on this year’s community project.

If you’d like to have a customized welcome message posted on their sign, you may do so by sending a $10 check along with the message you want posted to:

Packwood RAGBRAI
401 East 4^th Street
Packwood, IA  52580

The town will be serving some tasty treats including lunch items, homemade pie, ice cream, veggie sticks, water and Gatorade.

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