Vandalia is an unincorporated community in Jasper County, in the U.S. state of Iowa.

[2] In 1850, John Q. Deakin built a flour mill and carding factory where Vandalia is now located.

[3] Vandalia was platted in either 1851[3] or 1853[4] in Section 20 of Des Moines Township, Jasper County, Iowa.

[4] The first building erected after the founding was a store, followed by a Baptist church, a schoolhouse in 1856, another mill, two hotels, three more general stores, a plow factory and two wagon shops.

The Des Moines Valley Railroad met with community leaders to discuss the possibility of a rail line connecting Vandalia, but this did not occur.