My Home Town

Jefferson is part of a national phenomenon of people returning to the
towns or neighborhood of their origins, or places similar. We have become
home to a populace that wants quality-of life amenities within an
authentic community. Those that have gone away and come back bring
with them the latest trends and expectations. Jefferson has many more of
these exciting returnees than most communities our size. Because of the
presence of a long-time resident’s privately held telecommunication
company, we are within easy and constant reach of the wider world of
Iowa, the nation and the world via state of the art equipment.
We have a forward thinking Mayor and City Council, and the County
Supervisors encourage citizen participation. Both the council and the
supervisors are active participants in regional economic development
through Midwest Partnership, Mississippi Missouri Divide Resource
Conservation and Development and Region XII Council of Governments.
As the county seat and at the heart of a major farming community, we
consider ourselves a prosperous and vigorous area. We have two large
grain cooperatives, a large implement dealer, and expert agronomists and
agricultural professionals. We tap into the sustainable agricultural
movements with a thriving Farmers Market and Greene County GROWS, a
local foods working group.
Jefferson’s downtown district has experienced a transformation in the past
five years with the completion of streetscape, landscape, lighting and an
alley renovation. Several buildings in the downtown have undergone
major renovation inside and out. A new public garden has been planted
with a nod to Thomas Jefferson, the namesake of our community. Along
with a professional live theatre, an updated movie theatre, a live music
venue, and an upgrade to a bowling alley, the downtown area is becoming
a vital, interesting and unique destination that serves as a social and
commercial center for the area. Though not located specifically in our
district, the construction of a long anticipated downtown Hy-Vee grocery
store has been completed, and Iowa’s newest Wild Rose Casino has been
built that also has a new three-story hotel. All of these things
combine to position Jefferson into a destination city.
Many of the buildings located in the Main Street district are contributing
buildings in the National Historic District. Several have upper-story living
possibilities. The Main Street district serves as the hub for the city and
county governmental services with city hall located just off the district to
the north. The county courthouse is on the list of National Historic Places
and sits predominately in the middle of the square. The iconic 168’ tall
Mahanay Carillon Tower is located next to the courthouse on the square
and is accessible to the public. The historic Lincoln Highway runs directly
through the Main Street district.
The district is flanked by the middle school; U.S. post office; Carnegie
Library; recreation center; a telephone museum; Greene County History
Museum; several outdoor public sculptures; the new grocery store; the
Raccoon River Valley Recreational Trail and historic train depot.

This is a picture of the Farmers Market held by the court house, one day a week, a "supper" is provided each week with different organizations preparing the meal.

This picture was taken at the Farmers Market, Our friend Barb Brooker, and my sister are seen here

this is a better picture of the MaHaney Carrilon Tower, the bells are played every hour, half hour, and quarter hour, several people play the organ during the lunch hour and the music from the MaHaney tower can be heard for a very long distance. It's beautiful to listen to.
Jefferson downtown has really changed, many stores have renovated fronts and it is quite beautiful. Hanging pots or baskets of flowers on each corner.

You will have to visit Master Furniture Maker, Robby Peterson. Uses only tools of the 1800's. He has made over 500 items. it's at 115 S. wilson in Jefferson. You can watch him as he hand crafts various pieces of furniture



I hope you will consider a stop in Jefferson. there's more to see than I have told about here you might wish to go to greencountyiowa.com for more info