Hampton, Iowa was first laid out in 1856 by James Reeve, Mr and Mrs T Ryan and Joe Garner.  It was incorporated in 1870, the same year the first railroad entered town.  Hampton is situated one mile east of the center of Franklin County in the Township of Washington.  It is located at the Junction of Highway 3 and 65 known as the Chicago to black Hills Highway in the North Central part of Iowa. 

The first settlers came to Franklin County in 1852.  They camped and settled in a grove near a stream approximately four miles south of the present location.  (Mayne’s Grove in Reeve Township).  The town was then called Benjamin, the idea being to read Benjamin, Franklin County, Iowa, in honor of the noted philosopher.  However, when the town was plotted in 1856, it was discovered a Benjamin, Iowa, already existed and the name was changed to Hampton in honor of the famous Hampton Roads of Virginia. 

T.T. Raeson erected the first house, a long cabin, in 1855.  He also built the first store in Hampton at this time.  This consisted of a dry goods, liquor, hardware, and general merchandise store.  The county offices occupied the second floor and these were the first permanent county offices.  The second building built later that same year was a blacksmith shop.  Also, Job Garner, one of the original parties located in Mayne’s Grove area, built a cabin in Hampton at this time and one of the first house in Hampton was built on the Hotel Coonley block in 1856. 

The first religious service was held in 1856.  The Other buildings to appear included a post office in 1858, first school in 1859, first bank in 1871, and the famous Harriman Opera House in 1876.  In 1864, William Beed bought the grist mill at the site of Beed’s Lake State Park.  The GAR Memorial Hall was built in 1890 to commemorate those who gave their lives in the Civil War. 

By 1880, additional businesses included a clothing store, grocery store, bakery, confectionery shop, book and music store, lumber yard, dray line, wagon maker, harness shop, photo shop, and a livery stable had been added to the business district.  

By the early 1900’s, building of the Windsor Theatre took place in 1913, street lights were added in 1913, sidewalks, paved roads, city park and fountain, public library in 1905 and three schools.  A gas plant as well as an electric plant came to town in 1905.  The first hospital, Lutheran Hospital, was built in 1905 for $50,000. 

Recreation continued to flourish in Hampton when a dam was built on Spring Creek in 1921, creating a swimming area at Harriman Park.  A new post office was dedicated in 1935 at its present location.  June 15, 1940, saw the first day of fishing at the park.

After World War II, the red flashers (stop lights) were placed at the intersection of state Highways 3 & 65.  Northwestern Bell installed dialers in 1958, the BandShell was built, and the community enjoyed its first swimming pool.

Currently, Hampton, Iowa’s population has passed the 4,200 mark.  Hampton offers a progressive business environment, fantastic shopping and a variety of outdoor recreation activities.  The people of Hampton are genuinely friendly and the overall feeling you get is one of high quality small town living.  It's simply less stressful.