Looking north on a residential street in Cresco, Iowa. Cresco is derived from the Latin term meaning "I Grow". Augustus Beadle had the land surveyed and platted on June 12, 1866. Cresco is also known as the boyhood home of Dr. Norman Borlaug, 1970 Nobel Peace Prize and Medal of Freedom winner and 2007 Congressional Gold Medal winner. 1916 postmark. Number 1152.