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Coralville, IA

Frequently asked questions

Coralville, IA

Coralville is a city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States. It is a suburb of Iowa City and part of the Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Coralville was incorporated as a city on June 1, 1857. The city's name is derived from the fossils that are found in the limestone along the Iowa River. In 1864, Louis Agassiz, a Harvard University zoologist, gave a lecture at the nearby University of Iowa titled "The Coral Reefs of Iowa City". During the lecture, he presented local samples of fossilized Devonian period coral. The lecture was well received and helped raise public interest in the local fossils. In 1866, more corals were discovered at the site of a new mill, inspiring the citizens of the area to name the settlement "Coralville". The first mill at Coralville was built in 1844, and in the years that followed, several watermills were powered by the Coralville mill dam along the Iowa River, but all of the mills had closed by 1900, except for a low-head hydroelectric plant that remained in operation until the mid 20th century.

Coralville is also the location where some 1300 Mormon immigrants stopped to make camp in their migration of 1856 after having traveled west by rail to Iowa City, which was the westernmost rail terminus at the time. They built handcarts out of native woods during their encampment so that an adult could haul a 600–700 pound load and cover about 15 miles per day on foot in their continuing trek to Salt Lake City. A historical marker commemorating the Mormon Handcart Brigade was erected in 1936 by the Iowa Society DAR, with members of the Pilgrim Chapter present. Originally placed just south of 5th Street and west of 10th Street, it was moved in 1998 to S. T. Morrison Park and rededicated by the Nathaniel Fellows Chapter, placed near the entrance and pond. Today, the Mormon Handcart Park and Nature Preserve commemorates the site. There is also a street, Mormon Trek Blvd, named for the Mormons who went through that area.

Coralville is located in Johnson County at 41°41′18″N 91°35′12″W (41.688215, -91.586764). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.05 square miles (31.21 km²), of which 12.01 square miles (31.11 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) is water. The Iowa River runs along the east edge of Coralville and forms part of the boundary with Iowa City. Interstate 80 runs east-west through Coralville, and most of the city's newer housing subdivisions are located north of I-80. U.S. Route 6 runs along Coralville's south edge, while Interstate 380, U.S. Route 218, and Iowa Highway 27 (the Avenue of the Saints) run along the city's west edge. The cloverleaf interchange of I-80 and I-380/U.S. 218/Iowa 27 is divided between the city limits of Coralville and neighboring Tiffin after recent annexations.

Coralville places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. The Gym - Iowa River Landing offers state-of-the-art exercise equipment, personal training, and a wide range of fitness classes. The Spa at River Ridge provides luxurious spa treatments, including massages, facials, and body wraps, in a tranquil setting. Planet Fitness is known for its judgment-free atmosphere and extensive workout facilities. Elements Massage delivers therapeutic massage services designed to relieve stress and improve overall wellness. Orangetheory Fitness provides high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts that are scientifically designed for maximum results. The University of Iowa's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center offers diverse fitness classes, swimming pools, and climbing walls. Serenity Yoga and Wellness Center focuses on mindfulness and physical well-being through a variety of yoga classes and wellness workshops.

Top sites in Coralville, IA are Iowa Children's Museum, Johnson County Historical Society, and Antique Car Museum of Iowa.

Population: 23,596 (2023). ZIP code: 52241. Area code: 319. Elevation: 682 ft (208 m). Area: 12.67 sq mi (32.82 km²).

FAQs

How did Coralville, IA get its name?

The town was christened Coralville in 1866 shortly after Louis Agassiz, a Harvard zoologist, spoke at the University of Iowa about the “Coral Reefs of Iowa City” and was impressed by the samples of fossilized coral that he found in the limestone around the mills along the Iowa River. By 1900, all of the mills had closed and the Iowa City Electric Company had acquired all the waterpower of the dam. Coralville’s economy was so dependent on the mills that their closing spelled decline for the little town.

What is the crime rate in Coralville, IA?

The crime rate in Coralville is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 30 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Coralville is 1 in 34. Based on FBI crime data, Coralville is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Iowa, Coralville has a crime rate that is higher than 97% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

When was Coralville, IA founded?

Much like its sister city – Iowa City, which was founded in 1839 but not incorporated until 1853 – Coralville was first formed as a village by the mid-1840s, named in 1866, but not incorporated until 1873. At the same time, the leaders of Johnson County decided to form a new township – making the City of Iowa City its township, while taking everything else surrounding the city and making it into a new township named after Iowa’s first Territorial Governor – Robert Lucas. By the time of its incorporation on October 3, 1873, Coralville’s population had grown to almost 300, and it boasted a blacksmith shop, a two-room schoolhouse (see below), a wagon shop, a meat market, a lumberyard, a dry goods store, and four saloons.

Sources

Wikipedia

The City of Coralville

Our Iowa Heritage

Neighborhood Scout

Iowa Children's Museum

Johnson County Historical Society

Antique Car Museum of Iowa

The Gym - Iowa River Landing

Spa at River Ridge

Planet Fitness

Elements Massage

Orangetheory Fitness

University of Iowa's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center

Serenity Yoga and Wellness Center

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