Graettinger, Iowa
| Graettinger, Iowa | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 Location of Graettinger, Iowa |
|
| Coordinates: 43°14′17″N 94°45′4″W / 43.23806°N 94.75111°WCoordinates: 43°14′17″N 94°45′4″W / 43.23806°N 94.75111°W | |
| Country |
 United States
|
| State |
 Iowa
|
| County | Palo Alto |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.77 sq mi (1.99 km2) |
| • Land | 0.77 sq mi (1.99 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,253 ft (382 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 844 |
| • Estimate (2012) | 832 |
| • Density | 1,096.1/sq mi (423.2/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 51342 |
| Area code(s) | 712 |
| FIPS code | 19-31800 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0457009 |
Graettinger is a city in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States. The population was 844 at the 2010 census.
Graettinger had its start in the 1880s by the building of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway through that territory. The land was originally owned by Dr. Alois Graettinger who was a German physician who had immigrated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He gave the land to the railway under the condition that the town were to be named after him. Members of the Graettinger family still live in the town. They are descendants of Dr. Graettinger's brother, Blasius, who was a stone cutter by trade but moved to Iowa to farm.
Graettinger is the location of the oldest Labor Day celebration in the state of Iowa. Each year, the town celebrates with a parade, carnival, street dance, variety show, queen coronation, raffle drawing and various other events.
About Dr. Alois Graettinger
Dr. Alois Graettinger, one of the oldest and well-known German-American physicians, was born in Passau, Bavaria, January 10th, 1834, as the son of a small peasant. He attended the local school and “gymnasium” of his native city, until at the age of 18 years he entered the University of Munich, absolving the “biennium practicum,” after which he was assistant in the obstetrical clinic of the university for one year, before he left for Milwaukee in 1857. In 1865 he took the degree of M.D. at the Chicago Medical College and in 1878 that of the University of Munich. In 1894 he was chosen president of the “Society of German Physicians” in Milwaukee. On account of ill health he left for California in 1898, giving up practice and tilling the soil until his death, due to arterio-sclerosis, Oct. 23, 1907.
Graettinger is located at 43°14′17″N 94°45′4″W / 43.23806°N 94.75111°W (43.238180, -94.751217) near the Des Moines River.
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