111 E. Grand
St. P.O. Box 191, Monticello, Iowa 52310
319.465.3555
Welcome to Monticello, IowaThe City of Flags and FlowersOne of Monticello's most recognizable
landmarks is the clocktower, located atop the Monticello Community Building
in downtown Monticello. The clock has been ticking since noon on Dec. 15,
1877. The clock gets wound three times each week.
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| Monticello, Iowa: A Brief History (return to top of page) The settlement of what is today the City of Monticello, Iowa, was begun in October of 1836, when Daniel Varvel built the first cabin here on the bank of Kitty Creek. Varvel - a native Kentuckian who settled in northwest Illinois following the Blackhawk War -originally planned to migrate farther west but, according to historical accounts, “was struck by the beauty of the vast prairie” of northern Jones County. Varvel’s cabin was built on the east bank of Kitty Creek near its mouth on the Maquoketa River, opposite the site where most of present-day Monticello is now located. In its earliest days, Monticello was known as Varvelstown. Soon after the first settlement, and before it became an incorporated town, Monticello drew a number of early settlers, including Varvel friend William Clark. In 1837, Mr. and Mrs. Richard South erected a cabin and began farming. Others came in the next few years, and by 1839, Monticello had the look of a growing settlement. The potential for Monticello’s future grew exponentially in 1839, when the Military Road was constructed between Dubuque to the north and Iowa City to the south. In 1853, Monticello was platted, and in 1858, the railroad came through town. In 1872, a second railroad came to Monticello. Monticello was incorporated on September 17, 1867,
just shy of 21 years after it was first settled. The Monticello Express,
today the oldest privately-owned business in Monticello, published its
first issue in July 1865. The city’s population was 1,850 by 1886.
Highways (return to top of page) Monticello is located in north central Jones County at the junction of U.S. Highway 151 and Iowa Highway 38. Cedar Rapids is located 35 miles to the south, and Dubuque 35 miles to the north, both along Highway 151. Monticello is 15 miles south of U.S. Highway 20, 35 miles east of Interstate 380, and 50 miles north of Interstate 80. (Find Monticello on the Map) 
Airport (return to top of page) The Monticello Regional Airport is about a half-mile south of Monticello along Highway 38. It is the only airport in Jones County. Monticello Aviation, Inc., offers a flight-training center where people can learn to pilot small aircraft. Repair work is also done, and the airport is a favorite among pilots in the region. Aircraft rental is available, as is charter services and fuel. The airport also has hangars for storing small aircraft. The main runway at the Monticello Airport was relocated prior to the construction of the Highway 151 bypass, so to not bring air traffic so close to a nearby interchange. Paving began in 2000, and was completed in late 2000. Lights, T-hangar area as well as taxiway and ramp markings are complete. In 2005, a 10,000 gallon above-ground fuel tank and dispensing system were added. Each year they host a fly-in breakfast. Utilities (return to top of page) Water, sewer and garbage collection:
are all three municipal utilities in the City of Monticello. To arrange for
service, or for rate information, contact the Monticello City Clerk’s Office,
200 E. First St., Monticello, IA 52310, or call (319) 465-3577. Statistics for Monticello and Jones County (return to top of page) Population of Monticello: 3,607 Community Protection Taxes Health Care (return to top of page) Health care in Monticello is varied and extensive. In addition to health care providers who are locally based, a number of clinicians visit the community regularly. Here’s a basic list of services. MercyCare Physicians
Iowa Health
Monticello Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
A 115-bed skilled nursing facility with three hospice suites. The care center offers restorative nursing, physical occupational speech theraphy, short-term care as well as hospice/terminal care. Eastern Iowa Visiting Nurses and Home Health
Care Eastern Iowa Visiting Nurses and Home Health Care
is a locally owned and operated agency, which offers skilled nursing, home
health aid service, physical speech and occupational therapy. It is Medicare-and
Medicaid certified. Above and Beyond Home Health Above and Beyond offers skilled nursing, home health aids, transportation and errands, along with good morning and good night services. It is Medicare and Medicaid certified. Above and Beyond Hospice Care Monticello Veterinary Clinic Optometrists Chiropractic Services Schools (return to top of page) Monticello offers educational choice, with both public and parochial schools located in the community. Monticello and Sacred Heart school graduates, visit the alumni contact page. The district is located in Jones County, with some areas in Linn, Delaware and Dubuque Counties. The district includes the communities of Monticello, Scotch Grove, Langworthy and Sand Springs. The administrative office is located at 711 South Maple Street and the telephone number is 465-5963. Elementary schools (grades K-4)
The elementary school programs contain the following features: Solid instruction in reading, language arts, math, science and social studies; Exceptional access to technology; Library collections; Specialists in art, vocal music, instrumental music, physical education, reading, special education and 'gifted and talented.' Monticello Middle School (grades 5-8)
The phone number at Central is 465-3575. The education program includes: Academic study; Exploratory classes; Decision-making skills; Specialists in art, vocal music, instrumental music, physical education, family and consumer science, industrial arts, business, dramas, gifted and special education. Monticello High School Sacred Heart School The school offers a dedicated staff, small class sizes, upgraded technology, current textbooks and teach ing methods, strong Catholic-Christian values taught, and parent awareness and participation. In compliance with the Iowa Department of Public Instruction and the Archdiocese of Dubuque Board of Education, the curriculum at all levels includes religion, reading, math, science, social studies, physical education, human growth and values, global education, technology, and the fine arts, music and art. Sacred Heart has a three-day and two-day "pre-Kindergarten" program, certified by the State Department of Education. An all-day Kindergarten program allows Kindergarten students to grow educationally and socially in a learning environment. Religion is also taught formally in all grades. The religion textbooks, as well as methods, are chosen so as to present the central doctrines of the Catholic faith clearly and accurately. Liturgical preparations for Mass and parental involvement in the Sacramental preparations are an essential part of the religion program. Kirkwood Community College (Monticello Center) The Monticello Center offers college credit and continuing education classes, high school completion and literacy programs, financial aid and career counseling and testing services. More than 150 students participate in the high school completion program. One of 11 impressive Kirkwood locations, the Monticello Center
is located at 818 W. First St. You can earn a two-year Associate of Arts
degree with classes scheduled from 7:30 a.m. until 8:15 p.m. Monday through
Thursday and Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Convenient distance learning courses
are available in correspondence and Web-based formats for students whose
schedule constraints keep them from attending traditional classes. Riverside Gardens (return to top of page) Riverside Gardens, a city park, located off of Business Highway 151 is a testament to Monticello residents. It was built and is maintained by volunteers. The gardens are a showcase for the diversity of flowers available for today's gardens. Riverside Gardens, tucked between residential areas and the scenic Maquoketa River, includes more than 30 flowerbeds, a picnic area, a gazebo, a wishing well, nature trails, and a wetlands area. An interpretive nature trail encircles the wetland area with signs indicating the im-portance of wetlands to water quality and identifying plants and animals in the ecosystem. Wildlife biologists es-timated the wetlands could benefit at least 17 major species of animals that de-pend on Iowa's dwindling wetlands for their survival. Riverside Gardens have been growing every year. This growing happened gradually. Victorian streetlights were added in 1991, and a house was bought on adjacent property in 1998. The garden area is funded through the sale of picture post cards of the gardens, memberships, donations, memorials and an annual plant and bake sale on the day before Mother's Day. For more information, con-tact Riverside Gardens, Inc., P.O. Box 103, Monticello, Iowa 52310, or contact the Monticello Area Chamber of Commerce at 465-5626. Monticello: An Industry Town (return to top of page) One of the best things Monticello has going for it is its strong industrial community. Monticello is home to a very diverse industrial base, where manufacturing is the key to maintaining a growing, vital community. In this one small town, we produce everything from consumer- and engineering-grade plastic products, lawn and garden tools and pre-engineered buildings to high-quality livestock feeds and foam products for the furniture industry. This is not a complete list by any means, but does illustrate that Monticello does not rely on a single industry for its economic livelihood. The Great Jones County Fair (return to top of page) Monticello is home to The Great Jones County Fair, which year-in and year-out draws thousands of people to the community to be entertained by legends and rising stars of the music industry, to enjoy a funnel cake and a glass of lemonade, to try their luck on the midway and to hop on the Ferris wheel for a birds-eye view of the fairgrounds. This fair is one of the biggest and finest county fairs in the country. Public Facilities (return to top of page) Monticello has a lot to offer in the area of public facilities for recreation and learning. Monticello Berndes Center: The Monticello Berndes Center, located at the City Park, is available for rent for small gatherings and large events. To book the facility, or to check rates and for availability, call 465-6640, or 465-6435. Opportunities in the Monticello Berndes Center for relaxation and recreation are available year-round when the facility isn’t in use for banquets, shows, school sports and other community events. Walkers can get in out of the cold, indoor tennis is available in the winter months, as is volleyball. There are also open gym hours for people to play basketball. Swimming Pool: The Monticello Family Aquatic Center is a popular summertime destination for local residents, with swimming lessons available. Parks: The Monticello City Park, located on North Maple Street, has an area for picnicking, and features park shelters and playground equipment. The park is also home The Great Jones County Fair, Fourth of July festivities and to numerous youth and community recreation activities, including Monticello Cubs baseball games and the Jones County Gothics rugby club. Jacobs Park is a small secluded greenspace located
between West Fourth and West Fifth Streets in Monticello. This park includes
a playground. The “Y-Park,” located near the “Y” intersection
of Business Highway 151 and South Cedar Street near the swimming pool,
features playground equipment, a public fountain and flower garden. Library: The Ross and Elizabeth Baty Public Library, housed in the Mary Lovell LeVan Renaissance Center Renaissance Center, is located at 205 E. Grand St., Monticello. The Mary Lovell LeVan Renaissance Center faces East First Street, with an address of 220 E. First St., Monticello. The library serves about 4,500. A library card is free to any Jones County resident and current cards held with other Iowa public libraries are honored. The library has the capacity to hold 30,000
books. There seating along windows viewing down on First Street.
The library has its own parking lot. Important Phone Numbers,etc. (return to top of page)
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Shannon Elementary School 
Carpenter Elementary School 
The Central building 
High school, opened in 1998 
Kirkwood Community College Monticello, formerly
known as the John McDonald Health Education Center