Garden Grove, IA

Garden Grove is a small town in Decatur County, Iowa, United States. The 2020 census counted 174 residents. On April 24, 1846, emigrants affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under the direction of Brigham Young established a way station halfway into their trek across Iowa. This semi-permanent settlement was named Garden Grove because the entire grove was covered with wild onions as far as the eye could see. Garden Grove makes sense once you see how its past, landscape, and current gathering spots overlap. The useful thing to know about Garden Grove is that its older landmarks and current settings belong to one connected place.