July 1, 1976 – The Bicentennial & Iowa City.

As America entered into the 1970’s, the nation prepared to celebrate our 200 years of Independence – Our Bicentennial: 1776 – 1976.

On Thursday, July 1, 1976, The Iowa City Press-Citizen included in its daily 20-page newspaper, a massive 76-page special edition entitled The Bicentennial and Old Capitol.

On the front page of this iconic newspaper classic (see above left), the following description was offered…

Old Capitol and Iowa City. Is there another building anywhere that more completely represents a city than Old Capitol does Iowa City? Our city, our state and our state university all began with Old Capitol. And it has for generations been the heart and symbol of all three, though no longer the head. Thus the restoration of Old Capitol is a most appropriate Bicentennial project for our state and city, and it is the inspiration tor the Bicentennial project you now hold in your hands, the Press-Citizen’s Bicentennial Edition.

In seven sections – D through J – of today’s The Press-Citizen we have tried to tell the story of our community, of how it came to be, of the people who built it, of its institutions, of its heroes, of its celebrations, of its politics, of what it was like to live here in years gone by.

We tell of the Bohemians, who for more than a century have made countless contributions to the life of our community. We tell of the day the railroad came to Iowa City, and the day, nearly a century later, when the last interurban car left for Cedar Rapids. We tell of the day John Brown, the fiery abolitionist, enjoyed some ice cream in downtown Iowa City. We tell of the University of Iowa, and especially of its contributions to science and the arts.

We tell of two present-day Iowa City families, one named Lucas, the other named Rohret, whose members were here for the building of Old Capitol. As the oldest business enterprise in Iowa City, we tell the story of our own newspaper, and of those who chronicled Iowa City before us.

Older Iowa Citians, including our own historical columnist, Irving Weber, describe growing up in a different Iowa City, or on nearby farms, 50 or 75 years ago. Younger Iowa Citians tell of their hopes for the future.

Photographs and sketches help tell these stories. Some are from our own files. Others appear because of the generosity of many people, whose names we list elsewhere, who entrusted treasured family photographs to the newspaper so others might enjoy them.

In addition to those photographs illustrating stories on the following pages, also are presenting a special collection comprising an entire eight-page section of this edition. On those eight pages are reproduced a sampling of the thousands of pictures taken or collected by Iowa City’s remarkable master photographer, Fred W. Kent.

What we record here occurred, not during the American Revolution whose Bicentennial we are celebrating, but during the 140 years since this area was settled.

Like our city and our state, our special sections begin with Old Capitol.

Mark F. Rohner

So here, on this one webpage, our desire is to re-create that 76-page classic from 1976. Below, you will find each page from those seven sections (D-J), and since we know many will want to read some of the informative articles and view many of the photographs found within these pages, we’re providing links which will allow for better viewing. Here, for your reading enjoyment, is the important index to this 76-page edition (below right), which appears on every sub-page as well.

Click here to read the articles from pages D1 to D4…

Click here to read the articles from pages D5 to D8…

Click here to read the articles from pages D9 to D12…

Click here to read the articles from pages E1 to E4…

Click here to read the articles from pages E5 to E8…

Click here to read the articles from pages E9 to E12…

Click here to read the articles from pages F1 to F4…

Click here to read the articles from pages F5 to F8…

Click here to read the articles from pages F9 to F12…

Click here to read the articles from pages G1 to G4…

Click here to read the articles from pages G5 to G8…

Click here to read the articles from pages G9 to G12…

Click here to read the articles from pages H1 to H4…

Click here to read the articles from pages H5 to H8…

Click here to read the articles from pages I1 to I4…

Click here to read the articles from pages I5 to I8…

Click here to read the articles from pages I9 to I12…

Click here to see the Fred Kent photos from page J1…

Click here to see the Fred Kent photos from page J2…

Click here to see the Fred Kent photos from page J3…

Click here to see the Fred Kent photos from page J4…

Click here to see the Fred Kent photos from page J5…

Click here to see the Fred Kent photos from page J6…

Click here to see the Fred Kent photos from page J7…

Click here to see the Fred Kent photos from page J8…

So, there you have it. Seven sections – seventy-six pages – one packed Iowa City Press-Citizen edition offering us, all these years later, a insightful look at our community’s past – as seen through the eyes of 1976 Iowa City citizens.

We hope you’ve utilized all the links and enjoyed your journey…

Look for this logo and associated links throughout Our Iowa Heritage website. It will tell you that there’s a story or two, or a Fred Kent photograph taken from this 1976 Press-Citizen Bicentennial edition.