Red Oak, Iowa is the county seat of Montgomery County, located 50 miles southeast of Omaha, Nebraska. Our current population is estimated at 6,200. This figure helps to comprise a county population of 13,000. Red Oak is the service and trade center for a rich agricultural area. Although Red Oak's upbringing was primarily due to agriculture, the strong foresight of several people over a quarter of a century ago helped to establish a number of major industries in our community.
Red Oak is on the mainline of the Burlington Northern Railroad, and is located at the intersection of U.S. Highways 34 and 48. Red Oak is conveniently 35 miles east of Interstate 29 and 40 miles south of Interstate 80. Kansas City lies only 150 miles to the south.
Whether you are visiting our web page from a different community or you are here for a visit, or if your planning to make Red Oak your home, Red Oak has much to offer! Our community is characterized by well maintained homes surrounded by neatly manicured lawns. Grand turn-of-the-century architecture is evident throughout our city. The stately clock tower on the courthouse overlooks historic Fountain Square Park and the elegant homes that line our Heritage Hill Tour. This architecture reflects a philosophy that prevails to this day in Red Oak.....that something worth doing....is worth doing right.
Red Oak also serves as a regional center for health care, retailing, education, professional services and recreation. Junction Days is held in June, the Montgomery County Fair is held in July.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF RED OAKThe first settlers came to Red Oak in the early 1850's. However, the community made little progress until the approach of the railroad in 1869. An early resident noted in 1868 that he could stand on Red Oak's east hill and count every house in town. They numbered about fifty, including all kinds.
With the arrival of the railroad. Red Oak became a frenzy of activity. The community was organized into a town on March 20, 1876 and was officially named Red Oak Junction. In 1901, the word "Junction" was dropped and the city has been known as Red Oak since. The Plains Indians preceded the early settlers. Numerous tribes roamed the area. Traces of their encampments can still be found along Montgomery County rivers and streams. The population of Montgomery County tripled in size between 1870 and 1880. Red Oak became the trade center for the area. Early industries included: meat packing, a brewery, a glove factory, buggy manufacturing, a cannery, flour mills and a brick and tile works.
In 1888, two enterprising young men, Mr. Edmond Osborne and Thos. D. Murphy, decided to purchase a woodcut of the Montgomery County Courthouse which was under construction at the time. To offset the expense of the woodcut, they decided to sell advertising around the picture and add a calendar pad. It was this way that Red Oak became the birthplace of the art calendar industry. The Thos. D. Murphy Company was in existence for over 100 years.
The preponderance of grand homes in Red Oak reflects the wealth of the era from 1870 to 1916. The economy of the country was growing and businesses thrived. The railroad could bring in building materials such as wood, stone, marble and granite from other parts of the country. The size of the home made a statement on the financial success of the owner. The original owners of these homes came from a cross section of professions: retailing, banking and manufacturing.
Red Oak has a proud military history. From the Civil War to the Gulf Crisis, the young men and women of Montgomery County have been quick to answer the call of their country. During World War I, Red Oak's Company M went to the front lines with a full strength of 250. They fought at Belleau Woods, the Argonne Forest, St. Mickel and Swepps. In the end, the Company suffered 160 casualties with 52 killed in action. In World War II, Red Oak received nation wide publicity because of the large number of casualties in the European conflict. March 6, 1943 marks a black day in this community's history. More than 100 telegrams arrived with the news of our boys missing in action. In April, official reports confirmed that 27 had been taken prisoner at Faid Pass.
Each Memorial Day the Court of Honor displays over 1000 flags at Evergreen Cemetery. These flags were donated by the families of deceased veterans. A solemn ceremony that pays tribute to those who gave so much for the defense of freedom.RED OAK VICTORY Click here for a tour of a battle ship named after the Soldiers who gave all from Red Oak.
RECREATION
Red Oak is alive with recreational opportunities. Nine parks are strategically located through the community featuring tennis courts, horse shoe pitching, fitness trails, volleyball, swimming and lighted athletic fields.
There are many picnic areas with playgrounds for the family to gathering and enjoy one another. A Victorian gazebo adds to the tranquil atmosphere in the Fountain Square Park.
The Red Oak Country Club, located just east of town, is a complete recreational center for the entire family including dining, tennis, swimming, golf, pro shop and driving range.
The Montgomery County Family YMCA offers fitness and recreational programs throughout the year, suitable for all ages. A new YMCA facility is a beautiful facility, featuring indoor swimming pool, indoor tennis courts, indoor track, weight lifting, and fitness programs for every member of the family. Fishing and boating is a short drive away at Viking Lake State Park in Stanton (15 miles east of Red Oak). Many residents have also enjoyed air boating and fishing on the Nishnabotna River (bordering Red Oak on the west).
DEMOGRAPHICS
24-Hour Police Service
24-Hour Fire and Rescue ServicePopulation.........6,200 (est.)
Financial Institutions - 6
Sewer and Water - Municipally owned
Source of Water - Deep Fresh Wells
Electric Power - Mid American Energy
Natural Gas - Mid American Energy
Churches - 21
Education - High School, Middle School, 3 Elementary Schools and a satellite site for Southwest Community CollegeHealth Care - Montgomery County Memorial Hospital featuring professional services and professional care from some of the best doctors and nurses in the State.
Many service organizations - Optimist, Kiwanis, Rotary, and Lions to name only a few.
Industrial Sites Available - Please contact the Red Oak Industrial Foundation or the Red Oak Chamber of Commerce
Transportation - Mainline Burlington Northern Railroad, R.K. Belt Air Field in Red Oak and Eppley Airfield in Omaha, 50 miles northwest of Red Oak.
Radio Station - "Sunshine Country" KCSI 95.3 FM andKOAK 1080 AM
Newspapers - Red Oak Express
MONTGOMERY COUNTY HOME PAGE Thank you for visiting our web site. We hope your visit was one that brought interest in our department and our community. Red Oak is a beautiful community with one of its most valuable resources being its quality of life. We feel Red Oak is a community that is a great place to raise your children, and invest it the communities future. Thank you once again for your visit. We hope you enjoy our web site and our community, as much as we do.
CITY MOTTO:
RED OAK, A SHADE BETTER
CITY FLOWER:
RED GARDENIA