Panora, Iowa

Panora is a city in Guthrie County, Iowa. The population was 1,091 at the time of the 2020 census.[2] It is part of the Des Moines metropolitan area.

Panora, Iowa
City
Location of Panora, Iowa
Location of Panora, Iowa
Coordinates: 41°41′32″N 94°21′49″W
Country United States
State Iowa
CountyGuthrie
Area
[1]
 • Total1.81 sq mi (4.69 km2)
 • Land1.81 sq mi (4.69 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,076 ft (328 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,091
 • Density602.43/sq mi (232.59/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
50216
Area code641
FIPS code19-61320
GNIS feature ID0460010
Websitewww.cityofpanora.com

History

Panora was platted in 1851.[3] Panora is the oldest community in Guthrie County and was its county seat until 1876 when Guthrie Center became the county seat.[4]

2014 Mother's Day tornado

Just before 10 p.m. on May 11, 2014, an EF2 tornado caused tens of millions of dollars in damages to areas outside of Panora and especially nearby Lake Panorama including several farms north of Panora and northeast of Yale.[5][6][7] The tornado originated south of Guthrie Center near the intersection of Highway 25 and the Monteith Road. It travelled in a northeasterly direction for 16.7 miles through Lake Panorama on a path through mostly unplanted fields passing both to the south and to the east of Yale and to the south of Jamaica ending southwest of Dawson, sparing those three towns. The path of destruction included areas and homes near Shady Beach; near Boulder Beach including eight condos destroyed and severely damaging many nearby homes and condos; around the west side of the entrance to Burchfield Cove on Hickory Point including several homes and buildings; holes 1–4 and 9–18 at the LPA National Golf Course; more than two dozen electrical powerline transmission poles located along the east side of Highway 4 between 170th and 180th and east of the intersection of Highway 4 and 170th; and several farms to the south and to the east of Yale. The debris pattern was extensive from Boulder cove to southwest of Dawson.

The warning sirens in Panora failed to sound due to the nearly concurrent loss of electrical power and the sudden occurrence of the storm: only a couple of minutes between the release of the tornado warning during the loss of electrical power before the impact of the tornado did not provide enough time for the town to bring online electrical power from Panora's backup desiel-powered generator. Luckily, no loss of life occurred.

Geography
Aerial view of Panora and part of Lake Panorama, 2012

Panora is located at 41°41′32″N 94°21′49″W (41.692158, -94.363722),[8] along the Middle Raccoon River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.80 square miles (4.66 km2), all land.[9]

Demographics
Historical populations
YearPop.±%
1860314—    
1870504+60.5%
1880795+57.7%
1890809+1.8%
1900958+18.4%
19101,080+12.7%
1920966−10.6%
19301,014+5.0%
19401,169+15.3%
19501,062−9.2%
19601,019−4.0%
1970982−3.6%
19801,211+23.3%
19901,100−9.2%
20001,175+6.8%
20101,124−4.3%
20201,091−2.9%
Source:"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-03-29. and Iowa Data Center
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census[10][2]

2010 census

As of the census[11] of 2010, there were 1,124 people, 460 households, and 286 families residing in the city. The population density was 624.4 inhabitants per square mile (241.1/km2). There were 522 housing units at an average density of 290.0 per square mile (112.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.5% White, 0.2% African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 460 households, of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.8% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the city was 43.2 years. 26.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 25.5% were from 45 to 64; and 22.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.8% male and 55.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 1,175 people, 470 households, and 287 families residing in the city. The population density was 652.1 inhabitants per square mile (251.8/km2). There were 504 housing units at an average density of 279.7 per square mile (108.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.87% White, 0.43% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.43% Pacific Islander, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.

There were 470 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.97.

Age spread: 24.5% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 23.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,000, and the median income for a family was $41,583. Males had a median income of $28,558 versus $22,692 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,510. About 4.8% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

On the south side, located west of the highway, the Cargill Kitchens Solutions facility (the egg plant) closed on April 12, 2013. The building was envisioned to be the future Panorama Community Health and Wellness Center (PCHWC) with golf and batting cages; three courts for basketball, volleyball, and soccer; an elevated walking track; and rooms for dance and health classes, aerobics, weight lifting, and cardio fitness machines.[13][14] However, on January 29, 2016, Nutriom LLC of Thurston County, Washington, finalized its purchase of the facility, now known as the Crystal Freeze Dry/Nutriom building, with a projected opening in late March 2018 with three shifts and 30 people.[15] Also, Nutriom rents a large storage building north of the Panora Church of the Brethren along the westside of Highway 4.[15] Nutriom, which has another facility in Lacey, Washington, produces Egg Crystals® which have a long shelf life with no refrigeration needed.[15][16][17]

Arts and culture

Festivals

Annually, Panora hosts Lake Panorama Days on the first weekend in August. Panorama Days includes a parade and street dance in Panora, and a water skiing show at Lake Panorama.[18]

Parks and recreation

In Panora, the well shaded Lenon Mill Park campgrounds just downstream of the Lenon Mill dam on the Middle Raccoon River are part of the much larger 1,236-acre (5.00 km2) Lenon Mill Park and Wildlife Area. The campgrounds, park, and wildlife area are maintained by the Guthrie County Conservation Board. With spaces for both tents and RVs, the campgrounds offer RV hook-ups, water, bathrooms, a shelter house, fishing, and a boat ramp giving access for canoes on the river.[19]

Outside of Panora is Lake Panorama, which features a housing development with a resort, a marina and several beaches on a private 7-mile long lake, a recreation area, two campgrounds, and two golf courses.

In addition to the sports complexes, fitness rooms, and indoor gyms at the Panorama Community Schools on the west side of town, Panora has an older gym known as Veterans Auditorium on the main square in the center of town between the library and the city hall. Built during the late 1930s and dedicated by WHO radio sports announcer, "Dutch" Reagan, Vets Auditorium is the only remaining structure of the original Panora-Linden High School building, which was removed from the National Listing of Historic Places upon its destruction in 1991.[4][20] Formerly located on the north side of town near the Lutheran church between Iowa 4 (NE 3rd Street) and the bike trail, several youth soccer fields are now located along Clay Street east of Iowa 4 (NE 3rd Street) and north of the Hometown Foods shopping center, which is located along Iowa 44 (Main Street), with parking east of NE 5th Street along Clay Street. On the south side of town near the water tower along the eastside of CR P28 (SE 3rd Street), the Michael Mills Memorial Park has a playground, water fountain, picnic shelter, and a sports complex with t-ball, little league, softball, soccer fields, and a sand volleyball pit.

Government

Steve Baker served as mayor until January 2012; the current mayor is Pat Parker.[21][22][23]

Education

Panorama Community School District provides co-ed classes for grades K–12 to the towns of Panora, Linden, Yale, Jamaica, and Bagley. Panorama Elementary School, which is located in the northwest corner of Panora on Clay Street, serves grades K–5, and the Panorama Middle School/High School building, which opened its doors for school in August 1974 on the westside of Panora north of Iowa 44,[4] serves grades 6–12. Panorama's teams are known as the Panthers, and their colors are navy blue and silver. The teams compete in the West Central Activities Conference (WCAC) and are part of the Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.[24][25] The district formed on July 1, 1989, as a merger of the Panora-Linden and Y-J-B school districts.[26]

The schools at Panora are named for one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Iowa, Lake Panorama, which is an unincorporated private golf and water skiing resort with nearly 1000 homes.[27][28][29][30] In addition to the very exclusive Lake Panorama resort, the communities of the Panorama school district have strong agricultural ties: the school district occupies very highly productive soil and receives extremely favorable precipitation.

In 2009, the Panorama Community School District received very high ratings in Business Week as one of the best schools in the United States.[31]

Notable people


See also

References
  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  2. "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  3. History of Guthrie and Adair Counties, Iowa. Continental Historical Company. 1884. pp. 494.
  4. "History of Panora" (PDF). City of Panora website (www.cityofpanora.com). July 4, 1851. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  5. Rogers, Grant; Finney, Daniel (May 12, 2014). "NWS confirms EF2 tornado hit Lake Panorama area". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  6. Maricle, Kelly (May 12, 2014). "LAKE PANORAMA: EF2 Tornado Confirmed". WHO TV. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  7. St. Onge, Kim (May 12, 2014). "NWS Confirms Lake Panorama damage caused by EF-2 tornado". KCCI. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  10. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  13. GCTimes Staff (January 30, 2014). "Panora Health, Wellness Center proposed". The Guthrie Center Times. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  14. "Panorama Community Health and Wellness Center". Panorama Community Health and Wellness Center website. February 4, 2014. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  15. Castile, Gordon (December 14, 2017). "Northey tours Crystal Freeze Dry/Nutriom in Panora". Guthrie County Newspapers. Archived from the original on February 14, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  16. "Midwest Partnership Announces New Owner of Former Cargill Building in Panora". Midwest Partnership. March 15, 2016. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  17. "Nutriom". Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  18. "Lake Panorama Days". Lake Panorama Days website. Archived from the original on July 15, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  19. "Lenon Mill Park and Wildlife Area". Guthrie County Conservation Board website (www.guthriecounty.org/gccb). Archived from the original on August 9, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
  20. "History of the Panora Area". Panora.org website. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  21. GCTimes Staff (November 10, 2011). "Municipal Election". The Guthrie Center Times. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  22. GCTimes Staff (January 5, 2012). "Panora City Council". The Guthrie Center Times. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  23. "November 3, 2015, City Elections: Official Results" (PDF). Guthrie County website. December 8, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 10, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  24. "Panorama Community Schools". www.panorama.k12.ia.us. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  25. "Panorama Community Schools". Panorama Community Schools website. April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  26. "REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66" (PDF). Iowa Department of Education. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-02-09. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  27. "Lake Panorama". www.lakepanorama.org. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  28. "Lake Panorama Facts". www.lakepanorama.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  29. "Lake Panorama Timeline". www.lakepanorama.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  30. "Community Information: Facts About Lake Panorama and the Surrounding Area". Lake Panorama Realty. Archived from the original on May 27, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  31. "Explore Panorama High School in Panora, IA". www.greatschools.net. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  32. GCTimes Staff (August 31, 2005). "Track and Field". The Guthrie Center Times. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
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