Tiffin, Iowa, history
Tiffin (pronounced Tif ■ IN) was one of state’s fastest growing cities in the state of Iowa during the 2000 – 2008 period. The town, in western Johnson County, grew from 1,103 to 1,814 representing 711 new residents for a whopping 64.5 percent increase.
The city lies on the north bank of Clear Creek, 10 miles (32 km) west of Iowa City and 100 miles (160 km) east of Des Moines, the largest city and state’s capital. The estimated Metropolitan Statistical Area which includes Johnson and Washington counties was 149,437 in 2008. In 2006, the Cedar Rapids / Iowa City Corridor had an estimated population of 423,353.
Tiffin City Hall and the fire station are located at Main and Second streets.
The town is home to Clear Creek-Amana Middle and High Schools, the Grace United Methodist Church and numerous small businesses.
Tiffin was the home of G.M. (George McKinley) Ludwig, former Tiffin superintendent of schools (1930-1946), a KXIC-AM broadcaster, Press-Citizen columnist and two-term state representative – 1950 and 1952. Ashton Kutcher is a graduate of CCA High School.
The town, located in section 28 of township 80 and range 7 of Johnson County, on land owned by Rolla Johnson, was named for Johnson’s hometown of Tiffin, Ohio, indicating early settlers had not forgotten their origins.
In the early days, the Clear Creek settlement extended from the Iowa River west to the Iowa County line in the vicinity of the present town of Homestead. The settlement included parts of several other communities, 
including Oxford township and Penn township, which was known as Big Bottom or North Bend.
Bryan Dennis was among the first to arrive and played an important part in local affairs. His house was the location of Tiffin’s first election.
Another prominent figure in the early days of Clear Creek township was Archibald Gilleland, who acquired nearly 500 acres of land. He was one of the first regents of the State University, now called the University of Iowa.
Clear Creek Township was established by order of the commissions on February 10, 1846. In 1847, 1852, 1857 and 1857 its borders shifted as the area was settled until the current boundaries were fixed.
