Welcome to AlTA
Founded because of the expansion of the Chicago-Illinois Railroad, Alta is the highest point on the railroad in Iowa. Railroad engineer, John I. Blair, named the railroad depot "Alta" in 1870 in honor of his daughter, Altai Blair. The incorporation papers were filed for "Incorporated Town of Alta, Buena Vista County, Iowa" on November 11, 1878 at the State Land Office at the Capitol in Des Moines. Proximity to rail transportation helped Alta develop into a solid farming community.
Settlers began to take residence in Alta in 1869. One of the first commercial structures in the town was the railroad depot, followed by a post office. In 1872, a land company laid out the town of Alta. The original plat consisted of four blocks. Hearing of this new settlement, P.G. Peterson of Chicago moved to Alta to start a hotel and help establish a good town. Soon after, a group of tradesmen and businessmen followed from the Chicago area bringing several businesses to the rapidly growing community. These new businesses included an elevator, a blacksmith shop, a hardware store, a general mercantile, a medical practice, and a law firm.
Agribusiness is still the mainstay of our community, but new industries - like the production of electricity by sleek wind turbines dotting our countryside - have drawn a rich mix of new residents from diverse backgrounds to Alta.
More than 2000 people call Alta home today, and many others who live in the surrounding rural areas enjoy our shops, parks, and schools. We welcome you to come and explore Alta. Catch our energy!
Upcoming Events
Latest News & Announcements
Please see the attached AMENDED agenda for the Alta City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. September 8 Agenda- AMENDED
Public Notice Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Alta will meet in regular session on TUESDAY, September 8, 2026, beginning at 6:30 pm at the Alta City Hall at 223 Main St. Please see the attached agenda. September 8 Agenda
The Alta-Aurelia Music Boosters’ annual fundraiser “Just Donate Night” will be on Monday, August 31, beginning at 5:30 pm. Alta-Aurelia Junior High and High School band and choir members will canvass town with their parent chaperones, asking for donations to the music department. “This fundraiser helps us secure funds for needs in all of the…
Public Notice Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Alta will meet in regular session on August 17, 2026, beginning at 4:30 pm at the Alta City Hall at 223 Main St. Please see the attached agenda. August 17 Agenda
Alta Municipal Utilities, along with our contractor, is performing routine maintenance on the water tower. The work will take approximately 4 weeks, and during this time you may experience some pressure fluctuations and discolored water. If you experience discolored water, run the tap nearest the water meter (preferably an outside spigot without a filter) until…
We are asking for help from the adults in our community. We are having problems with scooters and bikes in the ballfield complex. Kids on bikes and scooters are riding on the fields, tearing up the grass, and damaging the pitcher’s mounds. We have a group of VOLUNTEERS that work very hard to make our…