Linden, Iowa is a small town with a rich history and strong community ties. Founded in the late 19th century, it began as a rural post office in Linn Township, named after the Linden trees along the Middle Raccoon River. When the original post office closed in 1871, mail services moved to Adel. Other post offices, like Greenvale and Brough (1873) and Harvey’s Mills and Linn (1878), served the area briefly. In 1882, the Linden Post Office was reestablished, with Abe Burnham as the first postmaster.
Beginning in 1878, the narrow gauge railroad began to build west from Adel. Linden saw the arrival of the Des Moines, Adel, and Western Railway in 1879, which, in turn, revitalized the area. Land donated by local landowners, Evans and Burnham, was used for a railway station, which spurred development. James Lord built the town’s first house, and Lew Manor and Billy Smith opened the first store. Linden was officially incorporated in 1892, with a population of 250. As the town grew, nearby rural post offices were consolidated into Linden. The last Milwaukee Railroad train rolled through Linden in 1981. The railbed was subsequently converted into the Raccoon River Valley Trail in 1989.
Churches soon became central to community life. In 1882, the Berean Methodist Church, located one mile east of town, moved into town on North Evans Street, and the Friends Quaker Church was built in 1883 on Guthrie Street. In 1893, a Christian church was built on Dallas Street.
Linden’s school system evolved from a simple township schoolhouse to a two-story brick building constructed after a fire destroyed earlier facilities in 1895. The town library was established in 1960 and remains an important resource for the community. In 1962, the school district combined with Panora, forming Panora-Linden. The Panorama School District was organized in 1987 and added Yale, Jamaica, and Bagley to the school district.
The Farmers and Merchants Bank was established in 1890. By 1897, Linden was thriving, with 30 businesses, the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and a local newspaper, The Linden Guidon. Around 1946, the community established the Linden Merchants, a semi-pro baseball team and was one of the first small towns to have its own lighted field to play night games. The town’s baseball diamond, located behind Linden School, still stands today.
Community organizations have long played a crucial role in the history of the community. Originally sponsored by the Panora Lion’s Club, in 1967 the Linden Lion’s Club signed its original charter. Three year’s later, their first project was to build the Lion Community Building in the city park. Over the years, they have been instrumental in supporting the community.
Linden has celebrated its history in unique ways. For its centennial in 1980, the U.S. Postal Service issued a special commemorative envelope. In 2018, the Linden Public Library received national recognition when author J. Courtney Sullivan inspired a wave of donations, including over 250 books and contributions from celebrities around the country.
As of the 2020 census, Linden had 200 residents across 79 households, including 60 families. With its rich history and vibrant community, Linden remains a welcoming and unique place to call home.