“The eNVy of Iowa.” Located on Highway 136 near the banks of
the North Fork of the Maquoketa River, linking Highways 20 and 52, New
Vienna was founded in 1843 by five German Catholic families. Early in
the 1830’s, this area was called “Wilson’s Grove” and was settled by
the English who left after a few years. Bishop Matthias Loras invited
the people from Europe to settle to the area. With assistance from the
Emperor of Austria, this area was settled by German people and in honor of
Austria’s help, it was renamed New Vienna.
New Vienna is a place of history with the St. Boniface Church, the
original Stone Water Tower, stone pump house, tavern and old hotel, creamery
building and Heritage House Museum. New Vienna is also a place to relax with
a city park, New Wine County Park, Community Ball Park, Community Hall,
tennis and basketball courts and Tri-County Sportsmen’s Park. New Vienna
is also a place to enjoy annual events such as: St. Boniface Labor Day
Picnic, Business Booster’s Progress Day, Holy Name Breakfast, Farmer’s
Day Parade, Fall Tractor Pull, Firemen’s Breakfast, Heritage House Old
Fashioned Christmas and Tri-County Sportsmen’s Club Corn Boil, Trap shoot,
and Fish Fry. New Vienna offers clubs and organizations to participate in
such as 4-H for Boys and Girls, New Vienna Business Boosters, Garden Club,
New Vienna Athletic Association and Tri-County Sportsmen’s Club.
New Vienna is the home of a true Gothic structure built church. St.
Boniface Church was built in 1883-1887 and features the famous SCHUELKE
Tracker Organ made in 1891. The interior is adorned by beautiful hand carved
altars by Edward Hackner.
New Vienna was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in
2000.
Since 1940, the St. Boniface Labor Day Picnic has been an annual event
with a world famous chicken and ham dinner, games, dancing, refreshments and
fun for all.
