Thomas D. Murphy Company, originator of “calendar art”, was an early successful Red Oak business; an Everready Battery plant was another long-term business, but neither is in operation today.   The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Depot has been restored to its original 1903 charm and houses a WWII Memorial Museum.  Places listed on the National Historic Register include the Montgomery County Jail, Montgomery County Courthouse, Chautauqua Pavilion (built in 1907 the largest covered pavilion west of the Mississippi), the Osborne House, The Colonel Hebard House, the 1900’s fire station in Red Oak which has been refurbished to the Firehouse Restaurant, Red Oak Library.  From a historical standpoint, Montgomery County and Red Oak had the highest per capita casualty rate for any community in the United States in World War II.



Besides Red Oak, other towns in Montgomery County are Villisca, Stanton, Elliott, Grant and Coburg, all with a mayor-council form of government.  Additionally, there are remnants of other towns and settlements including Wales, Mortons Mill, Stennett, Sciola, Tenville, and Hawthorne.  Today, Montgomery County is home to about 11,500 citizens, a decline since the 2000 Census.  The County includes 7 precincts with just fewer than 8,000 registered voters of which 4,000 are Republican, 1,300 are Democrat.Today, Montgomery County is proud of the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital with a recent $16m addition; the Montgomery County Historical Society which shares seven acres with the 1870’s Pittsburg one-room school, the 1853 Stipe log house, the 1866 Cozad cabin, Wilson’s General Store and Post Office, the Nims barn and a 14,000 square foot history center that was opened in 2006 and houses a number of rotating and permanent exhibits, original local artifacts, tools, diaries, maps, photographs, newspapers, etc.; Montgomery County Family YMCA with indoor running track, swimming, gymnasium, racquetball/squash/wallyball court, 4-court tennis and health & fitness area; Wilson Performing Arts Center which serves southwest Iowa and provides stage performances, lessons in the arts and music, and inspiration to artists and educators; the Red Oak Country Club and the challenging and picturesque 18 hole, par 72 championship course and lighted outdoor tennis courts, along with a full service clubhouse; Stanton’s Swedish Heritage & Cultural Center that showcases their Swedish heritage, and the town’s large coffee pot water tower which is a tribute to Folgers Coffee’s Mrs. Olson who called Stanton ‘home’.  The Montgomery County Agriculture Society and Fair Board organize the county fair that is held in July; and the recent addition to the Red Oak Public Library.



There are three school districts located in Red Oak:  Red Oak Community School District, Stanton School District, and Villisca Schools which recently agreed to whole-grade sharing with Corning in Adams County.

Voters approved, on the third attempt, a $6.2 million Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and Jail that will open in 2012 to replace an antiquated century old structure.  The new jail will house all classifications including male, female and juvenile prisoners, as well as offices for the Montgomery County Sheriff, Red Oak Police Department, and 911 Dispatch facilities.



Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railway Company main line runs through Red Oak, and a railroad track spur serves the Red Oak Industrial Park.  The Red Oak Airport recently expanded the runway to accommodate corporate jets that require more than 5200 feet. 



Demographically, the 2000 census show:  median age of the County’s population is 39.8 years; has 4558 total households; a per capita personal income of $15,793 and a median household income of $30,098; school enrollment of 1280.  Manufacturing companies with facilities in Montgomery County including Parker-Hannifan (hose products), Johnson Controls, Battery Group (batteries), Minsa Corporation (corn flour milling), Red Oak Greenhouse (wholesale plants), Fres-co Systems (flexible packaging), Greenbrier Companies / American Hydraulics (railcar cushioning units), Red Oak Manufacturing (Finish Line Trailers), Red Oak Fabrication, DirecTV (satellite television provider). 

Business promotions are organized through the Red Oak Chamber and Industrial Foundation, the Stanton Chamber of Commerce, the Elliott Business and Betterment Association, and Montgomery County Economic Development.

The Montgomery County Republican Party is an active group – always looking for new members and volunteers – that consists of the Central Committee and Convention Delegates.  They participate in local events including Red Oak’s Junction Days, the Montgomery County Fair, Villisca’s Heritage Days, Elliott’s Fall Festival, and Stanton’s Celebration.