December 21, 1837 – Johnson County, Iowa is incorporated, and at the time, the population includes nearly 2,000 Meskwaki people and less than 50 white settlers.
The well-known author – John P. Newhall – who wrote the widely-acclaimed 1841 guidebook – Sketches of Iowa, struck pay dirt once again with his new volume – A Glimpse of Iowa in 1846. In this book, Newhall gives his readers an overview of Iowa Territory just as it’s becoming the 29th State in the Union, and here, we share with you J.P.’s specific love of Johnson County and Iowa City.
By 1838, when Iowa became a U.S. Territory, there were 237 pioneers living in Johnson County, but sadly, very few Native Iowans remained. By 1840, the population had grown to 1,504, ballooned to 4,472 in 1850, and by 1860, Johnson County had 17,573 inhabitants.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS IOWA STORY HERE
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