2012
South Benton Communities Guide
41
WATKINS WATKINS Situated just five miles south of U.S. Highway 30 midway between Blairstown and Norway, the unincorporated community of Watkins offers its approximately 100 residents peaceful, rural living. A settlement that sprang up as the railroad expanded westward, Watkins was platted in 1873 and named in memory of a railroad superintendent by the same name, who was killed in a railroad accident east of town. In its infancy, Watkins was a thriving shipping point for grain – 116,000 bushels were shipped in 1878. Today, more than a half dozen small businesses are located in Watkins and the surrounding area. Law enforcement for the tiny community is provided by the Benton County Sheriff’s Department. Fire protection is through the Norway and Blairstown fire departments. The Blairstown Ambulance provides emergency medical services. St. Patrick’s Catholic Church is the community’s only house of worship. The U.S. Post Office, at 201 First St. is open convenient hours to meet the postal needs of local residents. Watkins’ young residents attend elementary school in neighboring Norway, while secondary students travel to Benton Community Middle/ High School in Van Horne. Baseball has played an integral role in the life of the community for nearly a century, beginning with the establishment of the Watkins Athletic Association in 1913. For many years it taught baseball fundamentals to boys and girls in Pony, PeeWee and town leagues. The community is home to the Watkins Mudhens, an independent and selfsupported amateur baseball team managed by Randy Walter. Despite competition from much larger cities, the Mudhens took the
Iowa Amateur Baseball Association championship six of the past 11 seasons, and last year became the first team in history to win the championship four years running. Evening home games are played at Gabe Kuester Memorial Ball Park on Thursday and some Sundays. The team travels to nearby Norway for Wednesday evening contests. The 2012 season opens the week of May 19. Watkins’ annual Independence Day celebration is held at the ballpark the Saturday after July 4. This year’s event will be July 7, when the Watkins and Norway men’s teams will battle it out for bragging rights. The Watkins Savings Bank sponsors a yearly night at the ballpark with free admission, food and prizes. For information about the 2012 event, contact the Watkins Savings Bank at (319) 227-7773. An annual benefit car show to help neighbors in need is held every September. Proceeds typically help individuals with burdensome medical expenses. Watkin’s city park offers a baseball diamond, grandstand, pavilion and picnic area for outdoor enjoyment. Restrooms are open only during events. Landmarks of historical interest in the Watkins area include Youngville Café, located at the intersection of U. S. Highway 30 and 218. This historical museum was formerly a filling station and eatery that served Lincoln Highway travelers from 1931 to 1967. The Youngville Lincoln Highway History Association organized in 1997 to preserve the café’s history, and that of the Lincoln Highway and surrounding area. The group’s restoration efforts earned Youngville Café a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Youngville Café is open
for lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday from early May thorough early October, and during Friday’s farmers markets from 3:30 to 6 p.m. This year’s farmers markets run from June 1 through Oct. 12. For more information, visit www.youngvillecafe. com or call (319) 223-5289. UTILITY INFORMATION Water/sewer – Poweshiek Water Association (800) 543-7419 Electric/gas – Alliant Energy (800) 822-4348 Phone Service – Southslope Cooperative Communications (319) 6262211 Internet/Cable TV – Southslope Cooperative Communications (319) 6262211
Trash/Recycling – Country Mile Disposal & Recycling (319) 560-8982 or contact Watkins Savings Bank (319) 227-7773 PUBLIC SAFETY For emergencies call 911 Police – Benton County Sheriff’s Department 113 E. Third St. Vinton, IA 52349 (319) 472-2337 Blairstown Fire Department 109 Spruce St. NW Blairstown, IA 52209 (319) 454-6922 Fire Chief – Steve Metz Norway Fire & Rescue 105 W. Railroad St. Norway, IA 52318 (319) 227-7701 Fire Chief – Roy Becker
Watkins Savings Bank ✧ See us for all of your banking needs ✧ High on Customer Service, Low on Customer Fees ✧ Locally Owned and Operated since 1892 Check out our: ❭❭❭ Telephone Banking ❭❭❭ Internet Banking ❭❭❭ Personal Banking ❭❭❭ ATM & Debit Cards
202 First Street, PO Box 140 Watkins, IA 52354 319-227-7773 • 1-877-676-7773
Visit us on the web www.watkinsbank.com