HISTORY

Alburnett, Iowa, is located in northern Linn County in eastern Iowa. The Illinois Central Railroad was built in 1887 though Linn County's Otter Creek township. In the winter of that year a depot was built on land donated by Albert C. Burnett. It was located between the curves on the east side of what is now Burnett Station Road. Because he had given land for the depot, the name "Burnett" was chosen for its identification.

Business interests began to center around it because the railroad gave them an outlet both north and south with the main line of the Illinois Central at Manchester, Iowa, and also with other roads in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Then Mr. and Mrs. Burnett began platting a village.

A short distant to the sought Michael Weislogel, Sr. was owner of land on which he laid out lots and called the development "Trentham". It was here that the first general store, with a post office.

Apparently, state law dictated that a depot and post office in the same community must carry the same name. Consequently, the post office name was changed to "Burnett".

At that time there was a Cedar County, Iowa, town named "Bennett". Mail delivery problems developed between the two communities with similar names. To alleviate this problem, the village of "Burnett" was renamed "Alburnett", further recognition of Mr. "Al" Burnett".

Alburnett was incorporated in 1912. It is the only incorporated town in Otter Creek Township. The first Mayor was C. E. Hense, and the first councilmen were George C. Anderson, H.N. Rockwood, C.C. Naylor, A.C. Burnett and F.L. Gitchell.

This information has been provided by the Alburnett Community Historical Society. For more fascinating fact about Alburnett, stop by Rockwood Store and Museum at 106 S. Main Avenue, Alburnett, Iowa. The ACHS is open every Thursday from 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. For special occasions, events or tour information please contact President, Dixie Boyse at 319-842-2382 or Secretary Norma Sutton at 319-842-2534.

alburnett@fmtcs.com

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