Holy Cross, IA

Holy Cross is a quiet rural community nestled in the rolling hills of Dubuque County, about 25 miles northwest of Dubuque. With a population of around 300, it offers the peace of small-town living surrounded by open farmland. The town was settled by Irish and German immigrants in the mid-1800s and earned its name from an oak cross blessed by Bishop Mathias Loras during an 1842 visit, marking the hill where the area's earliest settlers built their first church.

That historic parish remains a defining centerpiece of town, anchoring a close-knit neighborhood where generations of families have put down roots. Local students attend schools in the Western Dubuque Community School District, traveling to nearby Epworth and Farley for classes. Commuters and shoppers appreciate the easy drive into Dubuque along Highway 52, making Holy Cross a practical home base for anyone seeking country quiet within reach of city conveniences.