Donnellson

History

What would be Donnellson was first surveyed by H. A. Summers for Esten Donnell, for who the town would be named. Esten’s son, W. R. Donnell helped construct the first buildings in Donnellson, and served as the railroad agent and post master. The town would begin to grow after the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad passed through to town. Donnellson was incorporated on October 25, 1892. At this time Donnellson was around 120 acres and 200 residents. In 1897 Donnellson had had its first firehouse. From 1900 to 1910 the town grew quickly, with a telephone system, cheese factory, electric light plant, and water system being constructed. Donnellson is home to the Lee County Speedway, a dirt oval racetrack.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  808
• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  707
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  660
• Turkey Vulture

  Cathartes aura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  594
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  558
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  521
• Black-capped Chickadee

  Poecile atricapillus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  514
• Red-bellied Woodpecker

  Melanerpes carolinus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  508