Platted in 1899, Scarville takes its name from Ole Scar, who became a prominent businessman in the area and was the mayor and postmaster for several years. After coming to the U.S. from Norway in July of 1896, Scar settled in Wisconsin before coming to Mitchell County in Iowa, then to Lake Mills to work in an Osage merchant’s general store. When the store burned down in 1871, he went to California to join the Gold Rush, where he found enough gold to move to Washington State and purchase 80 acres of land. However, Scar returned to Iowa in 1874 and partnered with the Osage merchant to open another general store in Lake Mills. After a few years of success in the business, Scar became the sole proprietor of the store, which came to be known as Scar-Nelson Mercantile Company. At the time, this business was the leading retail and wholesale establishment in this part of Iowa. But this wasn’t enough for Scar, who began acquiring the right of way for nearly all the rail line constructed in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota.
The rail right of way he acquired ran through what is now known as the communities of Hanlontown, Joice, and Scarville in Iowa, as well as Kiester and Bricelyn in Minnesota. While he continued his successful business ventures, including founding banks in the same communities as his railroad right of way and dealing in real estate, Scar also had a hand in platting and visualizing 14 communities in this region, including his namesake of Scarville. He remained a bachelor the entirety of his life and passed away in 1916. Since then, the town of Scarville has seen many changes.
The highest community population was recorded as 163 in the 1930’s. Today, the population is less than 100. However, nearly 1,500 visitors flock to Scarville each year for the 4th of July Celebration. Scarville is a hub of activity which maintains a variety of businesses such as a tavern, cooperative grain elevator, post office, technology business, 3D printing business, a U-Haul rental business, and a variety of other local businesses outside the city limits. Scarville also places a high priority on the education of its youth. The town has had a school in the community since 1904, when classes were held in the basement of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Then, in 1906, a two room schoolhouse was built on land donated by Ole Scar.
Finally, a frame building was built on Main Street in 1920 where the first high school class graduated from four years later. Additionally, a new brick school was built on the same school block on the north side of town in 1935 and added to in 1952. However, this building was used for a short time with the final Scarville High School seniors graduating in 1958. After that year, grades 1-8 stayed at the Scarville School while the high school students began attending Lake Mills. In the early 1960’s, grades 7 and 8 were also transferred to Lake Mills, followed shortly by the remaining grades 1-6 students in 1965. The Scarville School building was then used as a private residence on and off for years and remained standing until 1997.
In the fall of 1927, the Scarville Synod Evangelical Church opened the Christian Day School in the basement of the church. It remained there for 60-some years until, in 1998, a large addition was built onto the south side of the building. The Annual 4th of July Celebration is one of the best attended events in the area. Scarville’s tiny community swells to more than 2,500 people in the early days of July. This event includes a parade that passes through Main Street twice, meaning double the candy for anyone who is lucky enough to catch it. The celebration offers something for everyone, whether it’s a parade for the kids or a community picnic featuring burgers prepared by the volunteer firemen for the family. Other events include music in the park (be sure to bring your own lawn chair!), a day-long flea market in the park, a kids’ pedal pull, free bars and ice cream in the shelter house throughout the afternoon, and much more. The event ends with the sinking of the sun followed by an amazing firework show. Before and after the Independence Day celebration, Scarville still has a lot to offer for visitors.
The Community Center is available for rent by private parties to host family reunions, birthday parties, baby showers, confirmations, graduations, anniversaries, etc., though there is a maximum capacity of 75 people. The space includes a restroom, handicap accessible entrance, a full kitchen, and heat and air conditioning to assure the comfort of your guests. The Community Center is also home to events such as the monthly Town Council meetings and other local groups, and is the voting location for Norway, Logan, and Eden Townships. To rent the facility for your gathering, meeting, or event, call the city clerk at 641- 568-3110 or send an email to cityclerk50473@gmail.com. Though a small community, Scarville continues to be a busy little place which is centered on strong faith with its private Lutheran school and two churches, family-owned businesses, and agriculture.
