This is a short history of one of Iowa's small farming communities, Seymour. Founded in 1871, the town has a storied past filled with historic events and colorful characters. Seymour was a way point for Jesse and Frank James on at least two occasions. At its height, the town had a population of 3,500. Seymour began as a large oak tree standing alone on the southern Iowa prairie. It served as a "Lone Tree" landmark for passing Mormon wagon trains as they made their way to Utah and beyond. For those who grew up and were educated in Seymour, their little hometown served as a "Kingdom of the Tall Corn."