Rathbun, Iowa | |
---|---|
City | |
Location of Rathbun, Iowa |
|
Coordinates: 40°48′5″N 92°53′18″W / 40.80139°N 92.88833°WCoordinates: 40°48′5″N 92°53′18″W / 40.80139°N 92.88833°W | |
Country | USA |
State | Iowa |
County | Appanoose |
Area | |
• Total | 0.22 sq mi (0.57 km2) |
• Land | 0.22 sq mi (0.57 km2) |
• Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
Elevation | 938 ft (286 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 89 |
• Estimate (2012) | 88 |
• Density | 404.5/sq mi (156.2/km2) |
Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
• Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
ZIP code | 52544 |
Area code(s) | 641 |
FIPS code | 19-65730 |
GNIS feature ID | 0460531 |
Rathbun is a city in Appanoose County, Iowa, United States. The population was 89 at the 2010 census.
Incorporated in 1897, Rathbun was established in 1892 as a mining town. It was named for Charles H. Rathbun, a mine official. At the end of the 19th century, "the valley of Walnut Creek was one continuous mining camp, known under different names, Jerome, Diamond, Mystic, Clarksdale, Rathbun and Darby" (later known as Darbyville).
The Star Coal Company of Streator, Ill. operated the Rathbun Mine, with an 82-foot-deep (25 m) shaft. This mine was in operation in 1895, and by 1908 it was considered one of the best equipped longwall mines in the county. The Darby mine, operated by the Unity Block Coal Company, was about a mile northeast of Rathbun. This had a 50-foot (15 m) shaft and was nearly played out by 1908. The Evans Mine, about halfway between the Rathbun and Darbyville, formerly operated by the American Coal Company, had already been closed by 1908. In 1912, United Mine Workers Local 372 in Rathbun had 213 members. This was close to half the total population at the time.
Rathbun is located at 40°48′5″N 92°53′18″W / 40.80139°N 92.88833°W (40.801375, −92.888296) about a mile west of the confluence of Walnut Creek and the Chariton River, about 2 miles south of Rathbun Dam.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.22 square miles (0.57 km2), all land.
As of the census of 2010, there were 89 people, 42 households, and 27 families residing in the city. The population density was 404.5 inhabitants per square mile (156.2/km2). There were 51 housing units at an average density of 231.8 per square mile (89.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.9% White and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.