Ames

Ames began as two communities. At its founding in 1864, Ames Station, on the Chicago & North Western Railway's main line, lay two miles east of Iowa Agricultural College, across the Squaw Creek. When the Ames & College Railway joined the college to the town in 1891, a cooperative spirit emerged that exists to this day. A rich history of achievements and colorful characters marks Ames's 150 years. One founding father commanded the 20th US Colored Infantry in the Civil War, while a Confederat...