Calamus (/ˈkæləməs/)[2] is a small town in Clinton County, Iowa, United States, located on the historical Lincoln Highway, which was the first transcontinental highway for automobiles across the U.S.. Calamus is the only town in Olive Township and had a population of 356 at the 2020 census,[3] which was a 9.6% decrease from 2000.

[4] In July 1858 the first railroad was built west from Clinton to Clarence, Iowa.

In the same year, Joseph D. Fegan was deputized to go to the cross roads of the Stage Coach Lines and the Indian Trails at Syracuse, which had a small stove and a saloon, to establish a post office in 1858.

Due to the large hazardous swamps, the Post Office and railway station were moved to a more favorable location in what is now the town of Calamus.

The present day location of Calamus, a small village on the Union Pacific Railway, was platted in 1860 by R. S. Dickinson, who owned the land on the north side of the railroad, and Col. Milo Smith, who owned that on the south.

[5] James Keith opened the first store here containing a small stock of groceries and accessories, located about where the present day Faith Lutheran Church stands.

The town was replatted October 9, 1865, by Milo Smith and R. S. and Emily Dickinson.

The vote in the Olive Township in 1860 was 149, and before the draft for the Civil War was ordered, 79 men volunteered into the Union Army.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.48 square miles (1.24 km2), all land.

24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The racial makeup of the city was 99.24% White, 0.25% Native American, and 0.51% from two or more races.

25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

It was a one-room log building located on the present site of the Rose Hill Cemetery.

Later a white frame building was erected south of the railroad tracks.

For the school year of 1909–10, the county superintendent report to the state superintendent of schools stated that Calamus had one male and two female teachers and an attendance of 78.

They were Model T Fords with no heat and the seats were lengthwise on both sides of the bus.

During the school year of 1920–21, a classroom was located in the Methodist Church and on the stage of the Auditorium.

The school board members at that time were C. A. Blake, President; Hans Johnson; Wm.

The vote on the bond issue for the construction of this addition carried by 92.8%, an all-time high in the state of Iowa.

The first paper that was issued in Calamus was established by H. L. Barter and was called the Free Press.

In 1870, a choir loft was added to the south of the building, also a belfry and bell, and the planks were replaced by 175 chairs.

In 1906, this building was torn down and a new one erected of white brick with Gothic windows and frosted panes at a cost of approximately $3,000.

Later, a basement was put under the Church for social activities and electricity was installed in 1917.

This began in 1853 when the eighth Norwegian settlement in Iowa was started in Olive Township of Clinton County.

Those wishing to form a worshipping community selected a site southeast of Calamus to build their church.

Another group, together with the pastor, left to form a congregation in the town of Calamus.