Monti is an unincorporated community located in the southeast corner of Buchanan County, Iowa, United States. Founded in the 1880s and platted in 1905, the community lies on the west bank of Buffalo Creek, east of Quasqueton and west of Ryan. The railroad brought several years of prosperity to the town, but the settlement declined after World War II. Over the years, the closure of the railroad depot, bank, stores, post office, creamery, schools, and church left Monti as the site of four houses, a closed church, a cemetery, and the Monti Community Center. Geography Monti is located in the northern part of Newton Township, the southeasternmost of Buchanan County's townships. The village lies along County Road W-45, where that road meets with Washington Avenue, an unpaved and unimproved gravel road. History The village traces its roots to the late 19th century, when large numbers of Irish immigrants flocked to the state in search of new lives in the New World. The town's Catholic roots can be traced back to the first Irish settlers of Iowa. A large church, St Patrick's Catholic Church of Monti, built in 1870, predates the community. When the Hagen store/post office was built near the "Buffalo Church", the village of Monti came into existence. The origins of this post office are obscure. One source states the Monti post office began operations on June 22, 1882. Another source states the post office began on January 24, 1868, but this was the same date as the establishment of the Middlefield post office, several miles to the north. In 1887, Monti's population was estimated as around 100 residents. The Monti Creamery operated circa 1895. Postal service was discontinued in 1902, with the introduction of Rural Free Delivery; mail was routed through nearby Masonville. The nearby villages of Newtonville and Kiene were also located in Newton Township. In 1905, the Chicago, Anamosa and Northern Railway was built through Monti and Kiene . The railroad sparked renewed interest in Monti, and a number of new buildings were constructed in 1905. The townsite was platted that year, and St. Patrick's Church registered 400 members. In 1902, Monti's population was 110. The Monti Savings Bank opened in 1912. Other businesses included Breitbach's grocery store, Scott's hardware store, McMeek's restaurant, Donnelley's barber shop, Maroney's dress shop, Strain's grocery store, and Wuerth's blacksmith shop. Monti was a sizeable community in 1913 when E.R. Hensley