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Shell

The tiny town of Shell was settled in the spring of 1886, a small thriving community which quickly developed as more homesteaders moved into the fertile valley. It was named after the oyster-like fossil shells found in the stream beds. Since the early 1930s, the Shell Valley has been famous for its historic dinosaur finds. Paleontologists have been sent to the area from Yale, Smithsonian and Iowa State University to name a few.

When visiting the Shell area, be sure to spend time exploring the historic buildings in the town of Shell.