From the moment Iowa was first proposed to become the 29th State in the Union, the pressure was on the good people of the Hawkeye State to decide if we would be a “free” state, siding with those against slavery, or join with our neighbors to the south, Missouri, which was a “slave” state. Iowa overwhelming supported freedom for all, thus becoming an important stop in The Underground Railroad, and by the 1850’s, the anti-slavery movement was gaining momentum, with Iowa strategically located to be right in the midst of the battle. When Kansas Territory opened up, John Brown and many others needed the help of compassionate Iowans to organize safe passage. Iowa Citian George D. Woodin was one of those Iowans. Named for abolitionist James H. Lane, The Lane Trail was established by Woodin and others in 1856 to bypass pro-slavery strongholds in Missouri and provide free-state settlers a safe route into Kansas. The trail originated in Iowa City, passing through Tabor, Iowa, crossing the Missouri River at Nebraska City where it turned south before ending in Topeka of Kansas Territory.
CHECK OUT THE COMPLETE BLOG SERIES – Iowa City’s Top 50 Influencers – Part II
Back in 1979 – The Iowa City Press Citizen ran a special seven-page section called Chronology 1841/1979 and it featured Iowa City’s famed historian – Irving Weber – and his look at 25 People Who Left Their Stamp On Iowa City. So, here we are – forty-four years later – and now, I’m offering these two posts – dedicated to those who have greatly influenced our city over the first 100 years or so. This page features the First 25, and as you can see, each of the 25 names has a brief overview with a link(s) to read more, if you like. Enjoy!
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