March 3, 1865 – Tobacconist Otto Henry (O.H.) Fink is born in Iowa City.

Have you ever heard of a tobacconist?

In 1865, German immigrant J.G. Fink partnered with fellow tobacconist H.J. Wieneke to start a successful tobacco & cigar store in Iowa City. After Fink died in 1873, the Wieneke family kept the business going – a thriving retail store on Clinton Street right across from University Square.

By 1906, J.G.’s son – Otto H. Fink – joined with the Wienekes, picking up where his father left off, becoming known as Dad at Fink’s Cigar Store located in the ritzy St. James Hotel on Clinton Street.

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March 2, 2011 – Our forever friend – Krysty Bujakowska is born. In honoring Krysty’s 15th birthday – March 2nd – Krysty’s family asks you to donate blood during the week of her birthday! Blood is absolutely critical for all cancer patients – especially kids! Do it today!

During the amazing 2023-24 Iowa Women’s Basketball season, we all got the opportunity to meet the team’s Kid Captain – Krysty Bujakowska. Diagnosed – at age 10 – with a serious bone cancer in her leg, Krysty fought the valiant fight for nearly three years before finally succumbing in late November 2024. While her life was way too short, none of us will ever forget the amazing way Krysty walked through it all. So, Krysty, this page is our salute to you! Godspeed!

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Renamed Kinnick Stadium in 1972, Iowa Stadium first opened in 1929, replacing Iowa Field. It was constructed in only seven months with groundbreaking and construction beginning on March 6, 1929. Workers labored around the clock using lights by night with horses and mules as the primary heavy-equipment movers. The first game was played October 5, 1929, against Monmouth College. Iowa won the game 46–0.

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