Dyersville
History
Our community of 4,035 is an exciting and a dynamic area to live, work, visit and play. We have a strong network between the City of Dyersville, the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Corporation to make Dyersville a great place to live, do business and visit.
Many positive things continue to happen in this Northeast Iowa community. The completion of the Downtown Streetscape Project enhances the beauty of our many historical buildings. Our expanding workforce and new businesses make the community a great place to live and work. Quaint shops, memorable restaurants and friendly faces complete any visit to the community.
Our workforce, excellent education systems and quality of life make Dyersville a great place to call home. If you would like to learn about relocating to the community, simply Email the Chamber or call us at 1-866-DYERSVILLE.
History
A few settlers, mostly English, were scattered about this vicinity in 1837. The first deed for land in the community was recorded by Joseph Hewitt on August 8, 1839.
A group of Bavarians settled in the area in 1846. Covered wagons brought ten families comprised of 42 souls. They homesteaded and were the nucleus of our farming community.
James Dyer arrived in the area in 1847, at the age of 26, and selected this site for his settlement. His family and friends followed from Somersetshire, England in 1848 and a community was established. Dyer was a man of means and good judgment and great progress was made under his leadership. An intensive building program was initiated that included grist and saw mills, shops, hotels, fine homes and many churches. The town was known as Dyersville as early as February 13, 1849.
The panics and depressions of 1857 and 1873 caused many of the English to leave for places promising better fortunes in finance, commerce and trade, for which they had been trained. The English began to relinquish their leadership to the Germans in about 1857 with the arrival of the Bulingers, Forkenbrocks, Goerdts, Holschers and Schultzes. Their children, having inherited the pioneer spirit, struck out on their own and soon induced their elders to sell out and join them.
The influx of Germans began when Bernard and Henry Holscher opened a General Merchandise Store on West Main, near the bridge, in January of 1858. It was the first German speaking place of business opened. They started a trade center where farmers could buy their needs and sell their products.
James Dyer died on November 2, 1864 at the age of 44 leaving behind him many accomplishments after only 17 years in a new state.
As the migration of the English continued, they sold farms, homes and stores to the Germans, who by 1910 had taken an almost exclusive possession of Dyersville and the surrounding area.
Many of the homes built by the early English still exist today. There are many descendants of the English living here also, some having married into German families. There is also a sprinkling of Irish, some of whose ancestors came with the building of the railroads and stayed.
Churches
*Basilica of St. Francis Xavier
104 3rd St. SW
Dyersville
563-875-7325
Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall
Dyersville
563-875-2243
Schools
*Beckman Jr./Sr. High School (Grades 7-12, Catholic)
1325 9th St. SE
Dyersville
www.beckman.pvt.k12.ia.us
563-875-7188
Dyersville Elementary (Pre-K-4 Public)
813 12th Avenue SW
Dyersville
563-875-8484
*The Kid Project Child Care Center (Child Care)
415 9th Ave. SW
Dyersville
563-875-2080
Operation: New View Headstart
563-875-7513
*St. Francis Xavier Elementary (Grades Pre K-6, Catholic)
203 2nd St. SW
Dyersville
563-875-7376
Parks
Dyersville Parks and Rec
Dyersville Commercial Club Park
Clubs & Organizations
Alcoholics Anonymous
Dyersville
563-875-7245
American Legion - Post 137
Dyersville
563-875-7503
American Legion Auxiliary
875-8687
*Ancient Order of Hibernians
875-7586
Boy Scouts of America
563-875-7543
Catholic Daughters of America
563-875-2145
Catholic Order of Foresters
563-875-8870
*Dyersville Airport
2700 foot grass runway
563-875-8590
*Dyersville Area Community Foundation
875-8567
*Dyersville Area Historical Society
563-875-2504
*Dyersville Commercial Club Park
563-875-7273
Dyersville Garden Club
875-8590
*Dyersville Golf & Country Club
563-875-8497
Dyersville Karate Club
563-923-5775
Dyersville Karate Club is a member of the American Tang Soo Do Karate Institute and a member of the World Tang Soo Do Association. We teach traditional Tang Soo Do. Through our rigorous training schedule, you will receive mental and physical betterment!
Dyersville Softball Association
563-875-2293
Dyersville Sportsman’s Club
563-875-8888
Friends of the Library
563-875-7335
www.dyersville.lib.ia.us
Girl Scouts
563-875-2798
Girls Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois
563-583-9169
www.gseiwi.org
Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall
563-875-2585
*Knights of Columbus
563-875-7116
*Lions Club
563-855-2415
*Mercy Medical Center Auxiliary
563-875-7101
*Mosers School of Dance & Gymnastics
(563) 875-2846
Instruction for boys and girls ages 3 thru adult in Gymnastics, Jazz, Dance, Hip-Hop, and Tap Dance. Opportunities to perform and compete if so desired.
Parish Health Ministry
563-875-7162
Venture Crew 61
563-543-4136
Worthington Sportsmen's Club
563-543-4573
Young Professionals-Dyersville Chapter
563-875-2311
* Denotes Dyersville Area Chamber of Commerce member