Latimer, IA

Latimer got its start as an 1880s railroad stop in northern Franklin County, but today it offers a quiet, relaxed pace just a mile east of Interstate 35 and right off Highway 3. That quick highway access makes commuting to larger neighboring towns simple while keeping neighborhood streets peaceful. The town also holds an intriguing piece of American history. During World War II, local dentist Dr. Milton Wirtz developed a pioneering acrylic prosthetic eye right here in town, an invention celebrated in exhibits all the way to the Smithsonian.

For families, education is close to home. Younger children attend CAL Elementary in Latimer, older students head to Hampton-Dumont, and St. Paul's Lutheran offers a private faith-based option. Routine care is accessible as well, with Franklin General Hospital maintaining a local clinic downtown. Weekends are easy to fill outdoors, whether you are taking the kids to the splash pad at West Park, catching a ball game at East Park, or playing nine holes at the Latimer Golf Club. Along with community center gatherings and the annual July Fun Day, it is the kind of town where you quickly get to know your neighbors.