Gowrie is a city in Webster County, Iowa, United States.

[2] The town has a swimming pool, golf course, athletic stadium, and curb-and-gutter throughout the community.

It grew in its early years as the Swedish settlers built a local economy which served area farmers.

Historically, its peak was 1970, and at that time the downtown area had the following businesses: (* designate companies still in business) Gowrie Municipal Swimming Pool*, Gowrie Gowrie Youth Center/Skating Rink*, Johnson RediMix, Johnson Sinclair Service, Bruntlett Elevator*, Johnson Lumber Company, Gowrie Dry Clean, Carr's Grocery, Gambles Hardware, Webster-Calhoun Co-op Telephone Co.*, Sunray DX, Palmer and Son's Funeral Home*, Dairy Sweet, Buskee Industries, Gowrie Car Wash, Ranniger's Appliance, Ranniger's Water Care, Imels Clothing, Wendells Appliances, Redman Barber Shop, Erb Law Offices, Dr. Rungee, DDS, Dr. Borgen, MD, Paladium Lanes Bowling Alley, First National Bank, Gowrie Cafe, Palmer Hardware, Hasty's Cafe, Smith's Meat Market, Gowrie Star Theater, Earl Braend Ford, The Canteen, Larson's Phillip 66, Standard Gas Station, VFW, Gowrie Library, Lee Benson Motors*, Pontiac, Jansa TV Repair, Laundromat, Skip's Tap, Lane Barber Shop, The White House Sundry, and The Gowrie News*.

Other businesses in town included: Dixon Hatcheries, Hubbard Veterinary Clinic, Lizer Sale barn, Anderson Elevator, Gowrie Municipal Golf Course*, Swanson Florist and Garden Center*, and the COOP.

[5] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.45 square miles (3.76 km2), all land.

There were 472 housing units at an average density of 328.0 per square mile (126.7/km2).

33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

[14] Each year, the town hosts the Gowrie Fourth of July Celebration, which draws thousands of people from around the state for the parade, fireworks, carnival, and bandshell performances.

Some highlights of the past include a visit by President Richard Nixon's daughter, Patricia, in 1968, the Bill Riley Talent Show for several years, an appearance by the O's Gold Famous 40 Horse Hitch in 1976, and a concert by opera singer Simon Estes in 2011.

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, a magnificent open-arched structure, was built by hometown business, Johnson Lumber Company, owned by Axel and Carl Johnson, and was completed in March, 1931.