Iowa’s Smallest Town Is Famous For Two Very Different Reasons

The tiniest town in Iowa is, indeed, an itty bitty one. It was incorporated in 1990, and in 2010 had a population of only 15. Beaconsfield all started as a village when a train station for the Humeston and Shenandoah Railroad was built. The year was 1881. The history of this tiny Ringgold County town in southwest Iowa has two important pieces.

It's the home of astronaut Peggy Whitson, who last year became the oldest woman in space. They're pretty proud of the fact she's a Beaconsfielder, and rightfully so.

The other one is also very cool. This building is where Hy-Vee got its start. Yeah, they've grown a bit over the years.

The proof is right on the front of the building.

There's also this sweet plaque noting the building's history.

Here's another fact you may not know... this one has nothing to do with Beaconsfield, though. The Chairman and CEO of Hy-Vee, Inc. is a native of southeast Iowa. How do I know? Randy Edeker, who became the new leader of Hy-Vee five-and-a-half years ago, graduated from high school with my wife, Julie. They're both graduates of English Valleys High School in North English. I'm not going to tell you the year. I've gotta go home tonight.

[MSN, Wikipedia, and Hy-Vee]