About Titonka

 On October 2nd, 1898, surveying began for a the town of Titonka. Originally known as Ripley, the name was changed when they discovered the similarity in name to the town of Rippley, IA. Upon this discovery, the citizens choose the name Titonka, suggested by Captain Ingham in memory of the famed buffalo hunt in which Mr. Seeley, Mr. Covel, and Mr. Ingham brought down a buffalo, just north of where the town was to be built, four decades prior. While camping along the Buffalo Creek, they forged a friendship by sharing the meat with some friendly Indians camped near them.

The town initially expanded at unbelievable rates. Robert Lane finished the first residence quickly. Several residents were housed in his home as they worked on their homes, and as many as 140 meals were served there in a day. The town expanded rapidly, with 60 buildings constructed within the first 60 days.

The Titonka community is largely agricultural. Fertile farm lands abound, the result of the efforts of hard working pioneers at the turn of the century. North Kossuth County was the last bit of Iowa to be developed. The prevalence of swamps and marshes caused it to be termed the “Everglades of Iowa”. Only when land prices increased elsewhere were attempts made to bring it into productivity. Extensive drainage programs paid off and rich black soil that extends down feet rather that inches annually produces an abundance of grain. In this early twenty-first century period of environmental consciousness, what has been lauded as a feat of the early settlers is sometimes questioned. Nevertheless, this rich, productive region has added greatly to the world’s food supply.

Throughout the past one hundred years, numerous hard working, dedicated citizens have given generously of their time and resources to help develop Titonka in to a clean, safe, friendly town. Residents appreciate knowing they can walk safely down the street at night, and trust in reliable school, religious, and community leaders to help raise an educated, moral child, and at almost any time of day walk down the local main street and be met with a series of sincere greetings.