Maps help us navigate our way through life. Here is one of those many maps the good citizens of Iowa City/Johnson County have used over the last 200 years to navigate around this community nestled in the Iowa River valley.
In 1835, Albert Lea mapped out a good portion of east-central Iowa, and when he published his map of “Iowa Territory” he showed an interesting view of what would later become Johnson County. Upon closer look (above) we find that Lea mapped out alongside the Iowa River:
1) Trding H. – we know this was the “first” American Fur Company trading post (house) on the Iowa River, built there by Sumner “Hawkeye” Phelps (circa 1832), and…
2) Poisheik’s V. – indicates the presence of Chief Powesheik and his tribal village built near the Iowa River (circa 1832) after being displaced from their villages on the Mississippi River by the Black Hawk Treaty.
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Isn’t Poweshiek’s Village on this map along the Cedar River instead of the Iowa River?
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Yeah – Very observant Marilyn. On Lea’s map of 1835 – he, most likely, drew up his map incorrectly when placing Poweshiek’s village. Of course, in 1835, when Lea drew this up, I’m sure Poweshiek and other Meskwaki leaders were pretty mobile since this was still “their” land until 1837.
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Thanks, Marty. I had noticed that other times when I viewed this map in my research.
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