Turin, Iowa

A hill north of Turin. It was in this area that a
young girl discovered the skeletal remains of a
man in 1955. Eventually, four skeletons were
discovered at the site that came to be known as
the Turin Man archaeological find.

Turin was originally called Bluff Point, but it was renamed in the 1880s
because its hillside setting in the Maple River valley reminded Italian
railroad workers of Turin, Italy, home of the famous Shroud of Turin.
While not as well known, this Turin also has a claim to fame: It's the
site of the Turin Man archaeological find. In 1955, a young girl found
the remains of a man in the hills above the town. Archaeologists
investigated and ultimately discovered three other human skeletal
remains. It turned out they had been buried there perhaps as long as
5,500 to 6,000 years ago. The find received national publicity, including
an article in Life magazine.

At the time of the 2000 Census, Turin had 75 residents. An old dark
brick building, the former home of the Turin Savings Bank, and Sisters
Consignment Shop represent the “commercial district.” There are a
handful of houses, and that’s it.