Carbon is a rural hamlet[citation needed] in Douglas Township, Adams County, Iowa, United States.

As of 2021, the hamlet is included in the United States Census Bureau's census-designated place bearing its name.

[4] There was also a Carbon Post Office in Webster County, three miles south-east of Fort Dodge, that operated from 1870 to 1872.

Elijah built a mill on the Middle Nodaway river that became a great social center of its time.

[7] The village was originally named Walters, after its first settler, but was renamed Carbon after the discovery of coal.

[8] A post office was established in Carbon in 1874, but from 1877 to 1880, the name was changed to Shinn.

[9] By the time of the Civil War, there were small coal mines along the riverbanks near Carbon.

Typical mine shafts were 80 feet deep, working a coal seam 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm) thick.

[12][13] By 1908, it was estimated that the total coal production of the county had exceeded 350,000 tons, despite the lack of any rail connections.

[citation needed] Many a gun fight did take place in the streets when the coal mines were booming.

[citation needed] Until 1998, the only water supply was on what is now called the "pump road".

Horse-drawn wagons would carry ice from the river and water from the pump back to town.

[citation needed] Carbon is located on the south bank of the Middle Nodaway River, just east of its confluence with Bull Creek.

[14] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.71 square miles (1.84 km2), all land.

[20] Residents are zoned to Southwest Valley High School, operated by the Corning district, and shared with the Villisca Community School District as part of a grade-sharing agreement.