Biohazard Cleanup Near Downtown Dows Dows, IA

Dows is a city that straddles the line between Wright and Franklin counties in north-central Iowa, about two miles west of Interstate 35.

Dows got its start in 1880 following construction of the railroad through the area, and it is named for railroad contractor Colonel William Greene Dows.

Dows was incorporated on May 3, 1892, and its town motto is 'A good town in a friendly community!'

The 2020 census counted 521 people in Dows living in 242 households.

Dows is one of Iowa's more diverse small towns — Hispanic or Latino residents made up 24.6% of its population in the 2020 census.

Dows was far larger a century ago, peaking at 1,145 residents in the 1920 census, more than double its population today.

The Dows Historical Society has restored three buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the 1896 Rock Island Depot, which now houses an Iowa Welcome Center, the 1899 Quasdorf Blacksmith and Wagon Museum, and the 1894 Fillmore Building, home to the three-floor Dows Mercantile antique mall.

Dows celebrates Dows Corn Days on the first weekend of August each year, with a parade, park entertainment, food vendors, and a community church service.

The last class graduated from Dows High School in 1998, and since July 1, 2014, Dows students have been served by the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District.