History In 1882, the Burlington and Western Railway a narrow gauge line, and its competitor, the Iowa Central Railway, built competing east–west lines through the area. These crossed the Rock Island tracks here, so it was a natural location for a station and town.David Lotz and Charles Franzen, 'Rails to a County Seat', The Print Shop, Washington Iowa, 1989; pages 37, 47-52.
hiStOry in 1882, the bURlIngtOn anD WEsterN RAIlwaY A Narrow gAUgE lINe, and its cOmpeTitor, tHE IOWA Central railWay, bUilT compETiNG east–wesT lines thROuGh the ArEa. tHEse crossEd thE roCk island tRAcks herE, SO it waS a natuRal location fOr A statiOn and Town.DaVID LOTz and CHarLes fraNZeN, 'rAiLs to a CountY seat', thE pRinT shop, washingtOn IoWA, 1989; pagEs 37, 47-52.