Hazelton, IA

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The original town was established in 1853 when E. W. Tenney opened a store. A post office opened soon after and was named “Hazelton”, because the community was in a hazelnut grove. When the railway came, it missed the town by a mile, so the town was moved to the railway.

The current site of “Hazleton” was established in 1873, and incorporated in 1883. The Hazleton area has been associated with the Amish for many years. Buchanan County’s Amish colony started in the early 1900’s when 8 families left their mother colony of Kalona and started one of their own. They firmly believed that progress cultivated sin. They stick to the old ways in their transportation and clothing styles. The women fasten their dresses with common pins, and coil their long hair and top it with a white cap. Their clothes are plain colors. Men’s clothes, also homemade, are of denim and always fasten with hooks and eyes. However, their broad-brimmed, black felt hats are factory made. The Amish are good-hearted people, hard workers, good cooks, and find their joy in the simple things of life.