and Pacific Railroad was made through Henry County. The selected route passed through the area inhabited by the Mortons and a few fellow pioneer families. In 1853, when the railroad was almost complete, Charles Atkinson and James Grant, owners of the land adjoining the railroad, plotted the town of Annawan. The town of Annawan, which some say was named after a Winnebago Indian Chief, was born. At the turn of the twentieth century, a new channel of Green River was developed, drainage ditches were completed and tile installed. This allowed the marsh north of Annawan to become productive farmland. With the completion of Interstate 80 through Henry County in the 1960s, Annawan began to grow at a steady pace, with various services such as restaurants and gas stations appearing along the interstate. By the dawn of the 21st century, several projects were planned in Annawan. The North Meadow subdivision was completed in the early 2000s as a community for retirees with a community center at the center of the development. A new interstate side hotel was also completed just off Canal Street adjacent to Interstate 80. Midway through the decade plans for an ethanol plant were made. Present day Today, Annawan supports a variety of different businesses that serve Henry County and Interstate 80 travelers. As of 2013, the North Meadow retirement community development has been discontinued; however, the subdivision remains one of the newer housing developments in town. The library and the town offices have made their home in the former North Meadow community center. The aforementioned ethanol plant, Patriot Renewable Fuels, opened in 2007, providing Annawan with around 100 jobs. Annawan supports one hotel, two gas stations, five restaurants/taverns, a grocery store, and a gift shop, to name a few different services available in the community. From 2000 to 2012, retail sales in Annawan have increased 123%. In addition, 48 businesses were open in Annawan in 2009, while 66 operate in the town today. On November 27, 2013, ground was broken for a new 5 million gallon biodiesel plant to be built adjacent to the existing ethanol plant in eastern Annawan. Past mayors (In order of past to present) F. H. Slater, James Bice, S. C. Carpenter, W. S. Knowlton, Elmer Fitzkee, John Lamont, J. P. Paine, Dr. W. H. Webster, Dr. Robert White, Seth Moo, C. H. Mason, O. W. Nowell, George Dow, Hugh White, Dr. J.