Preparation, Iowa

Preparation is a ghost town in Monona County, in the U.S. state of Iowa.

Geography

Preparation was located in Spring Valley Township.

Preparation was the first settlement in Spring Valley Township. Preparation was founded in 1853 by a schismatic Latter Day Saint sect led by Charles B. Thompson. The community was named from their belief that life on Earth was a preparation for the afterlife. A post office was established at Preparation in 1854, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1904.
In 1890, Preparation was home to "a store, post-office and smithy. According to the State census of 1885, the town at that time had a total population
of 588, all of American birth with the exception of some ninety-seven, who are nearly all Scandinavians."
The site of Preparation is now a part of Preparation Canyon State Park.