Our History

The story of Zearing, Iowa.

How a railroad town on the central Iowa prairie was settled, named, and put down roots, from the rails of 1881 to the community we call home today.

Founded
Oct 17, 1881
Incorporated
Feb 6, 1883
Township
Lincoln Township

How Zearing Began

A railroad, a disputed name, and a Story County town.

The short version of how Zearing came to be, and where the name came from.

The Railroad

Rails reach Lincoln Township.

In 1881, the railroad came through Lincoln Township and a new town along the line was proposed. The railroad favored a location on the Charles Hurst farm, and the working name reflected that: Ashurst, a contraction of Ash, a railroad man, and Hurst, the landowner.

The Naming

Ashurst gives way to Zearing.

Some of the pioneers objected to the Hurst site, and those who opposed it won the argument. The town was instead laid out on the Edward G. Richardson farm. The name was disputed too, and ultimately Zearing was chosen.

Zearing is named after Judge William Mitchell Zearing of Chicago, Illinois. The judge owned land in Lincoln Township but never set foot here. His lasting contribution arrived in another form: a bell, given to the first church in Zearing.

A Town Takes Root

Founded, then incorporated.

Zearing, Iowa, was founded on October 17, 1881, and incorporated on February 6, 1883. Homes, churches, and businesses followed along Main and Center Streets.

The oldest remaining house inside city limits is said to be the old “Doc” Hall residence, the first house on the west side of Center Street, just north of Main.

At a Glance

Key dates & details.

A quick reference for the milestones that shaped Zearing.

  • Railroad

    1881

    Tracks reach Lincoln Township and a town site is proposed.

  • First Proposed Name

    Ashurst

    A contraction of railroad man Ash and landowner Hurst,never adopted.

  • Founded

    Oct 17, 1881

    Laid out on the Edward G. Richardson farm.

  • Incorporated

    Feb 6, 1883

    Zearing officially becomes a town.

  • Named For

    Judge W. M. Zearing

    A Chicago judge who owned land here but never visited; he donated a bell to the first church.

  • Oldest House In Town

    “Doc” Hall residence

    First house on the west side of Center Street, just north of Main.

Dig Deeper

Keep exploring our past.

This page tells the short version. For the full story, families, churches, organizations, military service, and more, these resources go deeper. External links open in a new tab.