Page Contents for Clarinda, Iowa

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Iowa state capital is Des Moines.
The population of Clarinda is approximately 5,690 (2000), 5572 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 2,164 (1990), 1928 (2010).
The amount of land area in Clarinda is 14.051 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0.086 sq kilometers.
The distance from Clarinda to Washington DC is 997 miles.
The distance to the Iowa state capital is 94 miles. (as the crow flies)
Clarinda is positioned 40.73 degrees north of the equator and 95.03 degrees west of the prime meridian.

Location

in southwestern Iowa. Clarinda is about 85 miles from Omaha, Nebraska, and 125 miles from Des Moines, Iowa. It is only 12 miles from the Missouri State line. Here is a map page Return to Index

History & History Related Items

Here is a history page for Clarinda.

Clarinda was platted in 1853 and finally recorded on 7 December 1857. It was named for Clarinda Buck. When the Western Stage Company began to come into town in 1854, Clarinda grew. By 1857, there were over 60 homes plus many businesses. A state mental hospital was built here in 1885 and by 1933 had over 1,055 acres. Clarinda was incorporated in 1866.

First Hamburger
Among Clarinda's "firsts" is the well known "hamburger" sandwich. Bert Gray, owner of a local restaurant, discovered a new way of making a sandwich, using ground beef. In his employ was a chef from Hamburg, Germany. From his home town came the name of the popular sandwich so prevalent today. To view all the claims for the "first hamburger" go to this hamburger history page
Return to Index

Attractions

Nodaway Valley Historical Museum
1600 S. 16th St.
Phone: 712-542-3073
1-5 May-Oct., 2-4 Nov.-Apr., or by appointment

Promenade Around Clarinda
48 blocks surrounding the public square
Phone: 712-542-2166

Fly Iowa even held each September

"NOTED NOTABLES"

Glenn Miller
Leader and founder of the Glenn Miller Orchestra and popular hit-maker of the swing era
A life history page for Miller.

Glenn Miller Birthplace Home
601 S. Glenn Miller Ave.
Phone: 712-542-3560
8-5 by appointment.
Return to Index

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Clarinda City Government

City of Clarinda
200 S. 15th
Clarinda, Iowa 51632
Phone: 712-542-2136
Fax: 712-542-5160
Email

Clarinda has a City Manager form of government. In 1913, Clarinda was the first community west of the Mississippi River to adopt this form of government. There are also five council members and an elected mayor.

Clarinda Chamber

Clarinda Chamber of Commerce
115 East Main
Clarinda, IA 51632
Phone: (712) 542-2166
Fax: (712) 542-4113
E-Mail: chamber@clarinda.org

Clarinda Organizations

Clarinda Chamber of Commerce
115 East Main
Clarinda, IA 51632
Phone: (712) 542-2166
Fax: (712) 542-4113
E-Mail: chamber@clarinda.org

Clarinda Schools

Clarinda Community School District
423 E. Nodaway
Clarinda, Iowa 51632
Phone: 712-542-5165
Fax: 712-542-3802

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HIGHER EDUCATION

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Iowa Western Community College
Clarinda Campus
923 East Washington Street
Clarinda, IA 51632
Phone: 712-542-5117 Clarinda

Miscellany

Clarinda is the only city in the world with this name

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The high school mascot is the cardinal(the bird). If you unscramble cardinal, you get Clarinda.

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The population of Clarinda was:
1980 - 5,458
1990 - 5,104
2000 - 5,690
The 1990 and 2000 figures are from the US Census data. All other figures are from other sources.