| Population 278, Castana was platted on
July 24, 1886. When a branch of Chicago Northwestern Railway
connected Castana traders with the latest goods and services.
Castana was named by the founder, for what he believed to be the
Latin word for chestnuts.
Castana is loaded with attractions and recreation areas.
Western Iowa Experimental Farm near Castana was established in 1946
for the development of agriculture in the Loess Hills. Loess
Hills Wildlife Area and Sylvan Runkel Preserve is the location of
the annual Loess Hills Prairie Seminar. Composed of
approximately 3000 acres of native prairie and woodland area it
offers the best hiking, bird watching, and primitive camping.
Castana is the home of the
Dormitory Inn at 130th and 4th
Street. It was built in 1888 and provided living
accommodations at the turn of the century for aspiring teachers who
taught in the school. It has been restored into a Bed &
Breakfast and meeting rooms.
The
Loess Hills Ranch & Winery is
located at the Timber Ridge Recreation
area in rural Castana.
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