October 28, 1847 – Sale of lots begins in Jasper County – with the hope of developing a new capital city – Monroe City.

As soon as Iowa became a state (December 1846), some legislators began clamoring for a new, central location for a state capital. The spot these folks picked was “on a beautiful prairie” in Jasper County and they named it Monroe City. Lots were surveyed and sold – using the same procedure followed when Iowa City was established in 1839. But, alas, while the efforts were made, the idea was overruled and within two years (1849), Monroe City was history, with the Iowa legislature ordering it to be abandoned with full refunds given to those who had already planned their move.

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