Incorporated in 1887, Larrabee was named after the 13th governor of
Iowa, William Larrabee. William Larrabee was born in 1832
in Connecticut to French Hugenot immigrants who went by the name
d'Larrabee. Larrabee came to Iowa in 1853 and later became
involved with politics serving in the Iowa Senate before being
elected governor. This small community of 132 people was
recognized by the state as a municipality one year after William Larrabee's inauguration.
The local community has reshaped its future with a new community
center and the addition of a feed mill.
Larrabee is included
within the Cherokee Public School District with all grade
levels located 8 miles south of town in Cherokee (the county
seat). Larrabee is also within the Western Iowa Tech
Community College (WITCC) region. A newer WITCC campus is
located in Cherokee where associates degrees and 2-year programs
are offered.
Larrabee has a mayor/city
council city government with five (5) City Council
Members who are elected to four (4)-year terms. The
Mayor is elected to a two (2)-year term. The City
Council meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in
the Larrabee Community Center.
Telephone Service
is served by C-M-L Telephone Company, an Independent Telephone
Company located in Meriden. Resident of Larrabee receive
their water from Cherokee County Rural Water System
(712-225-6193). The City of Larrabee supplies sewer
services, garbage pickup, and cable television service.
Larrabee Fun Day
has been celebrated for many years on the first Saturday of
August. Family entertainment is the emphasis of this
annual celebration.
Larrabee United
Methodist Church offers services every Sunday. Other
Christian denominations are served by a large number of
congregations located in Cherokee or other nearby communities.
Previously being Weimer's
Tavern until the early 1990's, the Larrabee Community Center
holds events and activities for both the young and old.
The Boy Scouts, several 4-H Clubs, the Larrabee Leisure Club,
Town & Country Boosters, and the Summer Reading Program are a
few organizations/groups who rent the Community Center.
Weekly gatherings and special occasions, such as senior citizen
groups, graduations, and wedding receptions, are popular events
held at the Community enter.
The First Cooperative
Association Feed Mill first opened in March of 1999. This
$4 million installation that is capable of producing 120,000
tons of feed per year, is a joint effort between the FCA, CAEDC
and the city of Larrabee. Their combined efforts to making
this a high priority has made a real boost to the area.
Larrabee's City Park is located adjacent to the Larrabee
Community Center. Picnic tables, outdoor grills, a
shelter, and playground equipment are available to all in the
City Park.
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