GRINNELL

city, Poweshiek county, east central Iowa, U.S., 51 mi (82 km) east-northeast of Des Moines. It was founded by Josiah Bushnel Grinnell, a Congregational clergyman, Abolitionist, congressman, and railway promoter from New York City, to whom Horace Greeley, the American journalist, made his famous statement, Go West, young man, go West, and grow up with the country! Grinnell College originated in 1846 at Davenport as Iowa College, which moved to Grinnell in 1859 and merged with another (Grinnell) college (founded in 1855). The college plays a significant social and economic role in the life of the city; other economic factors are agriculture (grain and livestock) and light manufactures (playground and farm equipment, gloves). Grinnell Historical Museum displays memorabilia of J.B. Grinnell and Billy Robinson (an early aviator known locally as the Bird Man). J.B. Grinnell's Long Home (preserved) served as a station on the Underground Railroad, an escape route for runaway Negro slaves. Rock Creek State Park is nearby. Inc. town, 1865; city, 1882. Pop. (1990) 8,902.