[3] Iola is believed to have been named for Edward Ariola, one of Stephen F. Austin's colonists who settled in the vicinity in 1836.

In 1852 the community's first church, Zion Methodist, was constructed; the building also served as a schoolhouse.

A tap line of the Texas and New Orleans Railroad connected Iola with Navasota.

A print shop was established, and a newspaper appeared, the Iola Enterprise, edited and published by Rev.

[6] Navasota, the largest city in Grimes County, is 32 miles (51 km) to the south.