Maquoketa is the county seat of Jackson County with a population of 6,000. It is located about 40 miles north of the Quad Cities and 30 miles south of Dubuque. If you are interested in a home for sale in Maquoketa, we can help you find the property that will fit your needs.
Brief History
The first permanent European-American settlers at this location arrived in 1838. The site was on the banks of the Maquoketa River at the junction of the Davenport-Dubuque mail and stage route with the east-west route that pioneers used going west. Because of the river, there was also waterpower available to operate mills.
Originally, the community was named Springfield. However, due to the large number of towns with this name, it was changed to Maquoketa in 1844. The name is derived from Indian words that, according to different sources, mean bear, little bear, or bear river. The town was incorporated in 1853.
The Community
Nicknamed the Timber City, the town covers an area of 3.45 square miles and has a population density of 1,717 people/square mile. The city enjoys the economic benefits of traffic flowing between Dubuque and the Quad Cities. With Maquoketa real estate, you can live here and commute to either the Quad Cities or Dubuque.
Attractions and Entertainment
Maquoketa and the surrounding area offer many attractions. The Jackson County Fair has been held at the fairgrounds since 1854. It attracts about 20,000 people every year. Iowa’s largest antique dealer, Banowetz Antiques, is located here. The area offers opportunities for hiking, boating, canoeing, biking, hunting, fishing, and camping. The Hurstville Lime Kilns, which were built in the 1870’s and operated until the 1930’s, are about two miles northwest of town. Beyond the kilns, the Maquoketa Caves State Park is six miles northwest of town. There are golf courses and dirt track racing available. In addition, for nostalgia fans, Maquoketa has one of the few remaining operating Drive-In Movie Theatres in the U.S. Another great attractions is the Ohnward Fine Arts Center which is a great venue for plays, theater performances, variety shows, and concerts. Ruhl&Ruhl has Maquoketa homes to show you today.
Getting To and From
Air Travel: Quad-Cities International Airport (Moline); Dubuque Regional Airport (Dubuque); Eastern Iowa Municipal Airport (Cedar Rapids)
Highways: US-61 north/south; SR-64 east/west; US-20 (east/west) is about 30 miles north; I-80 (east/west) is about 30 miles south
Further Information
Jackson County
Maquoketa Chamber of Commerce
If you have decided to search for real estate in Maquoketa, contact Ruhl&Ruhl.
