Redfield, Iowa, is the mailing address of the cattle and crop farm where I was raised and returned to 12 years ago to raise my kids, the sixth generation on our family’s Century Farm. The highlights of traveling the seven miles south of our farm to my hometown, when I was a kid were visiting the small-town grocery store if we needed something quick, the library, the barber or beauty shop, the feed store, or the Dairy Shoppe for a sweet treat. The grocery store is now gone and many of the other businesses have changed owners, but Redfield is still a town with rural roots.
Legion breakfast
Saturday morning Legion breakfasts have been served in Redfield since 1984, something that people from all around enjoy every week from 6 to 9 a.m. Originally it was started to help cover expenses at the old American Legion building. Enough money has been raised to build a new building, which is home to the breakfast each Saturday, as well as many other events. Our American Legion organization is generous and will let other community groups help with the breakfast and receive some of the proceeds for fund-raising efforts.
The meal was originally $3. Today, for $7, you can select whatever you want from the menu of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, toast, milk and coffee. You won’t leave hungry and you will get to see many of your friends, family and neighbors while you enjoy the food. Politicians are even seen at times and during good weather months, bicyclers will travel from the Raccoon River Bike Trail, which goes through Redfield.
The Raccoon River flows through Redfield and one of the beautiful sites along the river is Hanging Rock, which is named for the sandstone rocks overhanging the river and running through the Hanging Rock Park. The area is near the Redfield Dam and serves as a background for canoeing or kayaking down the river or as a spot for a picnic.
Harvey’s Diner & Pub and Heartland Co-op
A small town eatery with a taste of the larger city, Harvey’s is owned by Rick and Katie (Harvey) Martinez. Katie is from Redfield originally and headed to New York City after graduation to study at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.
The couple bought the Dexfield Diner after its closing following a 17-year span in our town. Reopened as Harvey’s Diner & Pub in June 2016, they provide some great comfort food and desserts. There’s also local art for sale on the walls including chalk art by Ron Smith and some rural photos by yours truly.
“This was truly my dream, but we couldn’t do it in New York,” Katie said. “I couldn’t do what I wanted to do under those constraints. There are so many possibilities here.”
Every weekday morning, from about 7 to 8 a.m., farmers can be found at the Coop enjoying a cup of coffee while discussing what’s going on with their family, the community or how the crops are growing.
The Coop has been a staple in our town for many years and brings farmers from all around the area in to sell or store grain in their facility that has a 1.825 million bushel capacity.
Redfield hasn’t grown much from its 800 residents since my family came to the area in 1871, but its rural roots are still strong and a reason for living in small-town Iowa.
Jennifer Carrico can be reached at 515-833-2120 or [email protected].
