February 19, 1881 – The Iowa City Daily Republican publishes the city’s first telephone directory – a listing card with fifty-four names and a promise of more persons ready to join.

In 1881, editors of The Iowa City Daily Republican were busy compiling a directory of phone owners, advising all who desired phones to notify the company at once. This directory became a card listing the names and numbers of subscribers.  As additional telephone were installed, the Republican promised to give notice to its readers to add the new names and numbers to their directories.

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February 18, 1918 – Legendary Iowa Football Coach – Forest “Evy” Evashevski – is born in Detroit, Michigan.

Forest “Evy” Evashevski – 1952-1960, 83 games coached at Iowa, 52-27-4 record, .607 winning percentage, Three Big Ten Conference championships (one tie), Two Rose Bowl Championships, One National Championship, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

From 1889 to today – over 130+ years – the University of Iowa has been playing football here in Iowa City. Did you know that there have been 25 different men who have coached Hawkeye football over those many decades? Here are the top five – the elite ones – based on the number of games coached, their winning percentages, and the number of conference championships they’ve won.

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February 17, 1876 – The Daily Press gives front page exposure to the new Slezak National Hall.

In 1872, a recent immigrant to Iowa City from Bohemia – Johann Slezak – bought two lots on the corner of Bloomington & Linn Streets. By 1875, his son – Joseph Slezak had opened the first of four buildings that would end up being called The National Hall. A true commercial center, Slezak Hall included a hotel, a dance hall with a stage and balcony, a grocery store, a tavern & restaurant, and even a horse stable to park your wagon and/or buggy!

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