What Cheer, IA
- Elevation
- 777 ft USGS GNIS community points and 3DEP elevation · GNIS 2026-07-06; USGS 3DEP sampled 2026-07-23
- General Quality Overall rating out of 100
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About What Cheer
What Cheer is a quiet Keokuk County community known for its memorable 19th-century greeting of a name. Founded in the 1860s, the town boomed during Iowa's coal-mining era, drawing thousands of workers, rail lines, and bustling businesses into the area. While those mining days have passed, the town retains its historic charm with wide streets, classic brick storefronts, and a peaceful countryside setting.
Community life centers around the historic What Cheer Opera House, which continues to host live music and performances more than a century after John Philip Sousa took the stage. The town also draws crowds from across the region for its massive seasonal flea markets at the fairgrounds. Paired with the Brick School Museum and the Tri-County school system, What Cheer offers a friendly, grounded home for anyone looking for classic small-town Iowa living.
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