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• pre-1673. Native American tribes make Iowa their home. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1673. With the coming of the white man, Iowa’s pre-historic age ends, starting what archaeologists call Iowa’s historic age (1673-1885). (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8)
• 1673. Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet explore the Mississippi River Valley – set foot on Iowa soil. (2)
• 1682. Rene Robert Cavelier and Sieur de La Salle retrace Marquette & Jolliet’s trip.
• 1700. Descendants of the Oneota Culture, the Ioway (Báxoje) Tribe have become the primary inhabitants of eastern Iowa – including today’s Johnson County. (2)
• 1701. The Meskwaki (Fox) tribe fights against the French in what is now called the Fox Wars (1712-1735). (2), (3), (4)
• 1707. Pieter van der Aa – map of the New World. (2)
• 1718. Guillaume De L’Isle – map of Louisiana. (2)
• 1735. Sauk and Meskwaki (Fox) tribes flee to Illinois/Iowa Mississippi River Valley, forced from Wisconsin by the French. (2), (3), (4)
• 1767. Sauk Chief Black Hawk is born in Saukenuk – near today’s Rock Island.
• 1769. Spain takes ownership of Louisiana from France.
• 1787. Meskwaki Chief Poweshiek is born in Rock River Valley of Illinois. (2), (3)
• 1781. Lead is discovered in present-day Iowa.
• 1788. Julien Dubuque arrives at Catfish Creek on the Upper Mississippi River. (2)
• 1790. Elizabeth (Zook) Boller is born in Chester County, Pennsylvania. (2)
• 1793. Jacob & Anna Miller buy farmland in Casselman Valley, Pennsylvania.
• 1794. George F. Boller is born in the Rhine River Valley of today’s Germany. (2), (3)
• 1796. Julien Dubuque acquires 189 sq. miles from Spain (Mines of Spain) for lead mining.
• 1799. Chauncey Swan, Iowa City founding father, is born in New York.

• 1800. Governor Robert Lucas’ Quaker family moves from Virginia to southern Ohio, freeing their slaves, and becoming a part of the anti-slavery movement.
• 1801. Napoleon takes back ownership of Louisiana from Spain.
• 1803. Napoleon sells Louisiana to the United States for $15 million. (2), (3)
• 1803. Iowa becomes part of the District of Louisiana, administered by Indiana Territory, governed from St. Louis. (2), (3)
• 1804. Lewis & Clark depart St. Louis on their Louisiana Purchase expedition.
• 1804. Treaty forces the Meskwaki (Fox) & Sauk tribes out of Illinois – relocate on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1804. Philip Clark, one of Johnson County’s first white settlers, is born in Ireland.
• 1805. Iowa becomes part of the Territory of Louisiana, with the capital in St. Louis. (2)
• 1805. Zebulon Pike and his team depart St. Louis on their expedition of the Upper Mississippi River, meets Julien Dubuque en route. (2), (3), (4)
• 1805. Stephen Sumner “Hawkeye” Phelps is born in New York. (2)
• 1808. Fort Bellevue (later called Fort Madison) is constructed in Lee County.
• 1810. Julien Dubuque dies, buried on site near Mississippi River.
• 1812. Louisiana attains statehood, Iowa becomes part of the Territory of Missouri, with the capital remaining in St. Louis. (2)
• 1815. Frederick Boller is born in Bavaria (Germany) – will join come to Johnson County, Iowa in 1852.
• 1816. George F. Boller travels from Bavaria (Germany) to the United States – the Boller family arrives in America! (2)
• 1816. Fort Armstrong is built upon Rock Island in the Mississippi River.
• 1819. Isaac Augustus Wetherby, Iowa City’s first photographer, is born in Rhode Island.
• 1820’s. French fur traders begin exploring eastern Iowa’s rivers.
• 1820. George F. Boller & Elizabeth Zook are married in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. (2)
• 1821. Missouri attains statehood – Iowa is left without official jurisdiction (“unorganized”). (2)
• 1823. The Steamboat Virginia makes the first successful trip on the Upper Mississippi River. (2), (3)
• 1825. Sumner “Hawkeye” Phelps and brothers form S.S. Phelps Fur Trading Company on the Mississippi River at Yellow Banks (Oquawka), Illinois. (2)
• 1825. George F. Boller and his family have relocated to Wayne County, Ohio. (2)
• 1825. Jacob B. Boller is born in Wayne County, Ohio, Catharine (Smucker) Boller is born in Alsace-Lorraine, France.
• 1827. In Galena, Illinois, the men working the lead mines created some interesting nicknames for those from Illinois and Missouri.

• 1832. Robert Lucas becomes Ohio’s 12th governor – serving two terms before becoming Iowa’s Territorial Governor in 1838.
• 1832. The Black Hawk War ends – Sauk and Fox (Meskwaki) Tribes are forced to relocate to areas west of the Black Hawk Purchase. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9)
• 1832. Meskwaki Chiefs Poweshiek, Wapashashiek, and Totokonock relocate camps to Iowa River Valley – Johnson County. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7)
• 1832. Sumner “Hawkeye” Phelps canoes up the Iowa River to continue business with Chief Powesheik and others. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1833. The Black Hawk Purchase is opened to white settlers. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7)
• 1833. Antoine Le Claire settles on the western edge of the Mississippi River and begins calling the area IOWA – using a familiar Sauk word that means “This Is The Place”.
• 1833. Dubuque, The Key City, forms as the first white settlement in “unorganized” Iowa. (2), (3), (4)
• 1833. Alexander Levi arrives in Dubuque – Iowa’s first Jewish settler.
• 1833. Burlington, City on Flint Hills, is organized on the Mississippi River.
• 1834. Iowa becomes part of the Territory of Michigan, with the capital in Detroit. (2)
• 1834. The American Fur Company buys out S.S. Phelps & Company, servicing Phelps trading post on the Iowa River. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1834. Author/explorer J.B. Newhall arrives in Burlington. (2), (3)
• 1834. Missouri slave, Ralph Montgomery, comes to Dubuque lead mines to work for his freedom.
• 1835. Albert M. Lea and his team depart Ft. Des Moines on their expedition up the Des Moines River. (2), (3), (4)
• 1835. John Gilbert (Prentice) arrives in Johnson County to oversee the American Fur Company trading post on the Iowa River. Gilbert is Johnson County’s first white settler. (2), (3), (4)
• 1836. The name IOWA is popularized by Albert M. Lea’s book/map on The District of Iowa. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1836. Iowa becomes part of the Territory of Wisconsin (The District of Iowa), with the capital in Belmont, Wisconsin. (2), (3)
• 1836. John King publishes Iowa’s first newspaper, The Du Buque Visitor. (2), (3)
• 1836. Judge David Rorer arrives in Burlington.
• 1836. John Plumbe, Jr., writer/visionary arrives in Dubuque.
• 1836. Judge T.S. Wilson flips a silver dollar – chooses Dubuque as his new home.
• 1836. Chief Keokuk agrees to sell the Keokuk Reserve in a treaty at Ft. Armstrong, Illinois. (2), (3)
• 1836. Indiana farmers, Philip Clark and Eli Myers of Elkhart County, stake-out property in Johnson County, moving here in 1837. (2), (3)
• 1836. In Henry County, the county seat of Mt. Pleasant is established. A farm community, in the 1950’s, Mt. Pleasant becomes the host city of the Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Reunion. (2)
• 1837. Burlington becomes the temporary capital of Wisconsin Territory.
• 1837. Judge Charles T. Mason relocates from Belmont, Wisconsin to Burlington.
• 1837. The Second Black Hawk Purchase is negotiated, which will force the Sauk and Fox tribes further west of Johnson County. (2), (3)
• 1837. John Gilbert leaves American Fur Company, building a larger independent trading post on the Iowa River where it serves the growing population. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
• 1837. Johnson County, Iowa is formed and officially recognized (Dec 21). (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
• 1837. The United States Post Office authorizes the first stagecoach mail service in Iowa – Burlington, the Iowa Territorial capital, to St. Francisville, Missouri. (2), (3)
• 1837. Frenchman Alexander Levi, living in Dubuque, becomes the first foreigner to be naturalized (U.S. citizenship) in Iowa.
• 1837. Gilbert D. Dillon & his wife, Mary, relocate to Dubuque – G.D. becomes cashier of Iowa’s first banking institution, Miners Bank.
• 1837. John F. Rague, architect of Old Capitol (1840), designs the State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois.

• 1838. In January, seven pioneers gather at Gilbert’s Trading Post to plan out the future of Johnson County. Five white men, one black man (Mogawk), and one Native American woman (Jennie), working alongside three Meskwaki chiefs, make for extraordinary diversity. (2), (3)
• 1838. Iowa becomes part of the U.S. Territory of Iowa, which includes all of present-day Iowa, Minnesota, and parts of the Dakotas. (2), (3), (4)
• 1838. L Judson and Henry J. Abel publish maps of Iowa Territory.
• 1838. Territorial Governor Robert Lucas, with personal secretary, T.S. Parvin as part of his traveling party, arrive in Burlington to take up new position. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1838. Judges Charles T. Mason, T.S. Wilson, and Joseph Williams are appointed to Iowa’s first Supreme Court. (2)
• 1838. The Iowa Territorial Legislature meets for the first time in Burlington.
• 1838. John Gilbert and Pleasant Harris travel to Burlington to present an expansion idea for Johnson County. Gilbert tells his Little White Lie – telling Gov. Dodge the population is 1500. (2), (3)
• 1838. Sauk Chief Black Hawk dies in Iowaville and is buried near the banks of the Des Moines River.
• 1838. Judge David Rorer and Burlington newspaperman, James G. Edwards, popularize the name Hawkeye for Iowans. (2), (3), (4)
• 1838. New York ship captain Frederick M. Irish rides a horse into Iowa, arriving in Burlington. In 1838, he relocates to Iowa City, eventually working with Chauncey Swan in the early construction of the new capitol building. (2)
• 1838. In Napoleon, John Gilbert, the small group of citizens of Johnson County, and the Meskwaki tribes join together for a festive July 4th celebration. It’s here, Chief Poweshiek offers his final blessing.
• 1838. The first county court house of Johnson County is opened in Napoleon. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1838. Governor Robert Lucas announces that Iowa Territory will relocate its capital from Burlington to a more centrally-located site. (2), (3), (4)
• 1838. Chief Poweshiek, his Meskwaki tribe, and others are forced to leave their camps in Johnson County. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
• 1838. Surveyors Albert M. Lea and Dr. James Davis are commissioned to survey the Iowa/Missouri border – a precursor to The Honey War of 1839.
• 1839. Territorial Legislator Laurel Summers casts his vote for Iowa City – giving Governor Lucas’ plan for a new capital city in Johnson County a 13-12 victory.
• 1839. Oliver Cock (Cox), Iowa’s first Masonic Grand Master, arrives in Burlington.
• 1839. Rev. John Batchelder, one of the first pastors to use Old Zion, arrives in Burlington.
• 1839. Ohio native Cyrus Sanders arrives in Iowa, first in Burlington, and later in Johnson County – writing his adventure in a journal all along the way. (2)
• 1839. John Gilbert, Iowa City’s first white settler, founder of Napoleon, and its first postmaster, dies. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7)
• 1839. Iowa City’s first resident physician – Dr. Henry Murray – arrives, hangs up his shingle, and begins a 40-year-long commitment to caring for Johnson County residents.
• 1839. Iowa Territorial Commissioners Chauncey Swan, John Ronalds, and Robert Ralston are assigned to find a suitable location for the new territorial capital in Johnson County. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10)
• 1839. Johnson County settler, Philip Clark, saves the day by riding his horse to find the second commissioner needed to keep Johnson County as the host of the Territory’s new capital. (2)
• 1839. Iowa City is named county seat for Johnson County, first commissioners’ gathering meets in log cabin home of F.M. Irish. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1839. In their first court hearing, the newly-formed Iowa Supreme Court makes a landmark decision by granting Dubuque miner, Ralph Montgomery, freedom from his Missouri-based slave owner. (2), (3), (4)
• 1839. John Plumbe, Jr. – book/map of Iowa Territory. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8)
• 1839. L. Judson – first city map of Iowa City – July 4th. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9)
• 1839. Johnson County pioneers celebrate July 4th with special city-wide gathering. (2)
• 1839. Robert R. Hutchinson – wood-worker from New Hampshire comes to Iowa City. Helps build Iowa City’s first log cabin – occupied by Matthew & Salome Ten Eyck.
• 1839. Iowa City’s planners choose 24 names for the brand new streets of Iowa City.
• 1839. After surveyors plot out one-square mile of the new Iowa City, 180 lots sell at two auctions, with the most expensive ones located on Clinton Street. F.M. Irish builds Lean Back Hall. (2)
• 1839. Iowa City pioneers erect a limestone marker at the southeast corner of the new city. (2)
• 1839. The first ferry to cross the Iowa River is built by Benjamin Miller, operating at Napoleon. (2)
• 1839. Lyman Dillon plows the first section of The Military Road (86 miles) from Dubuque to Iowa City. (2), (3)
• 1839. Contract for $46,000 is let to Springfield, IL architect John F. Rague for designing Old Capitol. (2), (3)
• 1839. Iowa/Missouri Line War (The Honey War). (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1839. Lee County’s pioneer – Col. William Patterson – steps in and brokers peace in The Honey War. (2)
• 1839. Sylvanus Johnson, brick-maker from Connecticut, arrives in Iowa City.
• 1839. Chauncey & Dolly Swan’s five-year-old daughter dies, becoming Johnson County’s first pioneer death and the first burial in Oakland Cemetery. (2)
• 1839. Abner Kneeland, a pantheist, arrives in Iowa after being arrested in Massachusetts for his religious beliefs. He and his followers seek to practice their religion freely.

• 1840. A building contractor in St. Louis writes a letter of recommendation for qualified workers for the new state house project in Iowa City.
• 1840. Cornerstone of the new Iowa Territorial capitol building (State House) is dedicated on July 4 – architect John F. Rague walks out nine days later. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13)
• 1840. A surveying project begins for improving the road between Bloomington and Iowa City – one of Johnson County’s earliest road projects.
• 1840. Robert R. Hutchinson – owner of a local quarry – builds a one-story limestone house on the west side of the Iowa River. (2)
• 1840. Iowa’s Military Road (The National Road) is completed from Dubuque, through Iowa City, to Keosauqua. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
• 1840. Stagecoach travel comes to Iowa City. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
• 1840. H.D. Downey, a 21-year-old Pennsylvanian, arrives in Iowa City. Before he dies at age 48, he’ll become our first lawyer, first banker, a real estate mogul, and state representative.
• 1840. The first Mass in Iowa City was celebrated by the frontier missionary, Father Samuel C. Mazzuchelli, who became the founding pastor of St. Mary’s. (2), (3)
• 1840. Walter Terrell arrives in Iowa City – obtains permit to build an Iowa River mill and dam, which he opens in 1843. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1840. The first flatbed ferry business, owned by John D. Able, opens on the Iowa River at the National Road crossing (Iowa Avenue) in Iowa City. (2), (3)
• 1840. Early settlers build their first homes on Blocks 96-99 on the riverfront in Iowa City. (2)
• 1840. The town of Crooked Creek (Wayland, Iowa) is founded.
• 1840. Elizabeth (Zook) Boller dies in Wayne County, Ohio.
• 1841. J.B. Newhall publishes his Iowa guidebook – Sketches of Iowa, (2), (3)
• 1841. Iowa Territorial Agent – Jesse Williams – is assigned to raise extra funds to finance the completion of Iowa’s new capitol.
• 1841. President William H. Harrison suddenly dies in office – setting off 30 days of mourning across the U.S.
• 1841. Warner Lewis recommends Dubuque’s Dr. John W. Finley for Iowa Territorial Militia Hospital Surgeon.
• 1841. The first mill & dam in Johnson County is built on Clear Creek near the Iowa River. (2)
• 1841. William Crum and Thomas Hughes publish Iowa City’s first two newspapers, The Iowa City Standard and The Iowa Capital Reporter. (2)
• 1841. Iowa Territorial Legislature meets in Walter Butler’s two-story frame building in Iowa City. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7)
• 1841. Oliver Weld – Van Buren County’s representative to the Iowa Territorial Legislative Sessions in Iowa City – has an adventure getting here from Keosauqua.
• 1841. The steamboat Ripple, Iowa City’s first visiting steamboat, arrives on the Iowa River. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
• 1841. Gilman Folsom, lawyer and entrepreneur from New Hampshire, arrives in Iowa City.
• 1841. Eleven-year-old, George H. Yewell, comes to Iowa City from Ohio with his mother. Yewell ends up becoming one of Iowa City’s best-known artists. (2)
• 1842. Representative William L. Toole talks about the Iowa Territorial Fourth Legislative Assembly in Iowa City in a letter to Laurel Summers.
• 1842. Chauncey Swan and his wife, Dolly, take over The National Hotel – opening the Swan in Iowa City. (2)
• 1842. Iowa Territorial Legislature meets in the new stone capitol in Iowa City for the first time. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10)
• 1842. Mechanics Academy is built adjacent to City Park, two blocks east of Capitol Square in Iowa City. (2)
• 1842. Frederic & Theodire Sanxay build a two-story Greek Revival home on Market Street.
• 1842. Johnson County’s second court house opens in Iowa City. (2), (3), (4)
• 1842. The steamboat Rock River, Iowa City’s second visiting steamboat, arrives. (2)
• 1842. Rev. W.W. Woods arrives in Iowa City to pastor the new Presbyterian congregation – Stone Church, sponsored by the American Home Missionary Society.
• 1842. The Iowa Capitol Reporter offers readers the top three hotels in the city.
• 1843. An east-central Iowa county, where many of the Meskwaki people settled after being moved out of Johnson County, is recognized, calling it Poweshiek County, in the chief’s honor.
• 1843. Iowans call for a Territorial Constitutional Convention to begin statehood process. (2)
• 1843. An Iowa City businessman writes an informative 3-page response letter to a good friend back East – giving an informative overview of everyday life in Iowa Territory.
• 1843. The small congregation of North Presbyterian Church begin construction of a new building – the pre-curser to today’s Old Brick.
• 1843. Iowa City settler E. Eastman writes a very informative one-page letter to his uncle back home in Salisbury, N.H.
• 1844. Lee County, Iowa farmers sign a remonstrance – telling their Representative in Iowa City where they want, and don’t want, a new road!
• 1844. A Territorial Census is taken in preparation for statehood. Statehood is voted down by Iowans due to boundary issues with Congress. (2)
• 1844. Governor Robert Lucas builds his home in Iowa City – Plum Grove. (2), (3)
• 1844. The Iowa City Manufacturing Company opens Iowa’s largest mill and dam on the Iowa River – the future site of Coralville, (2), (3)
• 1844. Sheriff Walter Butler, builder of Butler’s Capitol (1841) in Iowa City, suddenly dies at age 43.
• 1845. The first church bell, an 1844 bronze beauty, rings out in downtown Iowa City. (2)
• 1845. A.H. Palmer – “The Old Growler” and owner/editor of The Iowa Capital Reporter – sends a stinging letter to a fellow Democrat – a friend and supporter back home in Ohio. (2)
• 1845. The office of Territorial Judge Joseph Williams in Iowa City oversees a land dispute in Bloomington (Muscatine).
• 1845. William Windrem builds a two-story brick & limestone home on Iowa Avenue.
• 1845. The Sauk and Fox Tribes are forced to leave Iowa for reservations in Kansas. (2)
• 1845. The Dubuque Brewing Company, Iowa’s first brewery, opens.
• 1845. Forty-one Davis County pioneers petition Iowa City for a new Territorial Road.

• 1846. J.B. Newhall publishes his third Iowa guidebook – A Glimpse of Iowa in 1846. (2), (3)
• 1846. Samuel Augustus Mitchell publishes map of Iowa just prior to statehood. (2)
• 1846. First settlers – Daniel & Susanna (Miller) Guengerich – arrive in Washington Township – Johnson County. (2)
• 1846. Iowa’s famous statesman – James B. Harlan – gets his professional career started by moving to Iowa City to oversee Iowa City College.
• 1846. In preparation for Iowa statehood, a 32-person Constitutional Convention convenes in Iowa City in May.
• 1846. On October 28, Ansel Briggs is elected Iowa’s first state governor, taking office on December 3 – 25 days prior to Iowa statehood., (2)
• 1846. Iowa attains U.S. statehood as the 29th state in the Union, with the capital at Iowa City. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7)
• 1846. Almon Barnes builds a simple one-story yellow-brown sandstone home on N. Johnson Street.
• 1847. The Iowa State Legislature approves the development of a State University of Iowa (SUI) – the Marion Meteorite affirms their decision. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1847. The U.S. Postal Service issues its first postage stamps.
• 1847. Iowa City shoemaker Jacob Wentz builds a two-story yellow-brown sandstone home on North Gilbert Street.
• 1848. State representative Wright Williams from Louisa County writes an insightful letter to his brother-in-law in Indiana – offering a descriptive picture of both politics & religion in Iowa City.
• 1848. Van Buren County’s Josiah H. Bonney begins his two-year term as Iowa Secretary of State. (2)
• 1848. The infamous Hummer’s Bell incident occurs in Iowa City. (2), (3), (4)
• 1848. The Iowa State Prison Warden files his Annual Report to Governor Briggs in Iowa City.
• 1848. George F. Boller, living in Ohio, begins to purchase land in Iowa for future family use.
• 1848. On Christmas Day, Iowa City lawyer Curtis Bates writes his attorney in Defiance, Ohio, leaving us with a lot of details about life in Iowa City in the 1840’s.
• 1849. Gold Fever hits Iowa City – Chauncey Swan & others leave for California., (2), (3)
• 1849. A $3,000 state appropriation finally gives Old Capitol its unique reverse-spiral staircase, giving full access to the second floor.
• 1849. Dubuque’s C.H. Booth is named by President Polk as General Surveyor for Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota.
• 1849. U.S. Supreme Court on the 1839 Iowa/Missouri Honey War lawsuit. (2)
• 1849. Secretary of State Josiah H. Bonney, from his office in Iowa City, works with Jonas Wescoatt, the Monroe County clerk, who is looking for $18.59 in reimbursement. (2)
• 1849. F.M. Irish builds Rose Hill in his 30-acres called Irish’s Woods. (2), (3)
• 1849. Vermont native H.H. Winchester came to Iowa with his family in 1839, now 10 years later, he writes a beautiful 4-page letter back home singing the praises of living in the Hawkeye State.
• 1849. Artist/Entrepreneur Henry Lewis opens his Mississippi River Panorama in St. Louis – features key images of Iowa up and down The Great River.
• 1849. Iowa City lawyer Curtis Bates starts The Iowa Star – Des Moines’ first newspaper.
• 1849. Jacob B. Boller marries Catharine Smucker in Butler County, Ohio. (2)
• 1849. As Asa Whitney stumps for a transcontinental railroad, small groups of Iowans are working toward it as well.
• 1849. In the midst of Iowa’s banking crisis, the Keokuk County Treasurer writes the Iowa State Treasurer’s Office in Iowa City seeking clarification on which bank notes and coins they will accept for payment.

• 1850. The Presbyterian congregation in Iowa City complete their first building project. Sadly, the building is destroyed by fire in 1856 but replaced by what is today known as Old Brick.
• 1850. Secretary of State J.H. Bonney chooses the proper memorial stone that will represent Iowa in the construction of the Washington Monument in Washington D.C.
• 1850. State Auditor Joseph T. Fales in Iowa City writes a RSVP letter to his friend – Judge Charles T. Mason – in Burlington.
• 1851. The town of Crooked Creek changes name to Marshall, Iowa (Wayland).
• 1851. Gilman Folsom offers to build Iowa City’s first bridge over the Iowa River, but Governor Hempstead vetoes the plan, even after approved by the state legislature.
• 1851. Louis T. Reno builds a two-story fixer-upper home on the site of Iowa City’s first taven/inn on Brown Street.
• 1852. Chauncey Swan dies in New York City en route from California to Iowa City.
• 1852. Lawyer Gilman Folsom receives letter from Oregon, Illinois asking help in dealing with Iowa City’s “very slippery fellow,” Boyd Wilkinson.
• 1852. Iowa City pioneer Ferdinand Haberstroh opens The Park House, one of the city’s finest gathering places for statesmen and legislators alike.
• 1852. Frederick Boller arrives in Johnson County – begins farming in Washington Township. (2)
• 1853. Iowa City – while formed in 1839 – is not officially incorporated as a city until January 24, 1853.
• 1853. Jacob Boller and his family relocate from Butler County, Ohio to farmland in Washington Township of Johnson County – The Boller family arrives in Iowa! (2), (3)
• 1853. George H. Yewell’s political cartoon, Muscatine Opposition (poking fun at the fierce competition between Muscatine and Iowa City for the railroad) opens up Yewell’s future in the arts.
• 1853. LeGrand Byington & William Penn Clarke sweeten the deal with the Mississippi & Missouri Railroad – offering $50K if Iowa City becomes its first station stop. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
• 1853. Judge T.S. Wilson and his law partners win the case Chouteau v. Molony – giving the citizens of Dubuque a monumental victory over land settlement.
• 1853. Louis Englert opens Englert City Brewery – Iowa City’s first brewery located at 319 Market Street. (2), (3)
• 1853. Professor Samuel Bacon arrives in Iowa City to become the leader of the newly-formed, state-sponsored Iowa School for the Blind.
• 1853. Abolitionist Dr. J.M. Shaffer of Fairfield hosts the planning meeting for the first Iowa State Fair.
• 1853. The Red Rock Wild West Murder Mystery has a big breakthrough after Governor Hempstead offers a hefty reward.
• 1854. The anti-slavery movement in Iowa takes a big step forward as James W. Grimes is elected Governor of Iowa. (2), (3)
• 1854. The Western Stage Company buys out Frink & Walker, opens for business across Iowa, announcing daily four-horse coaches running in and out of Iowa City in all directions.
• 1854. J.H. Millar and George H. Yewell publish their illustrated Iowa City and Its Environs map. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
• 1854. Photographer Isaac Wetherby buys land in Johnson County, produces his first pictures of Iowa City. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1854. Iowa City banker Hugh D. Downey and barber Henry C. Nicking both build new homes that will eventually become two of Iowa City’s oldest extant properties.
• 1854. Scott County’s long-time attorney and president of the Rock Island Railroad – Judge James Grant – is now mayor of Davenport and lays the cornerstone for the first bridge to cross the Mississippi River. (2)
• 1854. The Lyons-Iowa Central Railroad -The Calico Railroad – goes bankrupt just months before reaching Iowa City.
• 1854. Meskwaki Chief Poweshiek dies in Kansas.
• 1854. Gilman Folsom opens Iowa City’s first toll bridge over the Iowa River. (2), (3)
• 1854. Craft Coast and his family move to Iowa City – his son, William P. will start Coast & Sons Clothier in 1890.
• 1854. Fairfield hosts the first Iowa State Fair. (2)
• 1855. 18-year-old John B. Sueppel arrives in Iowa City, and over the next 165+ years, six generations of the Sueepel family contribute mightily to our city.
• 1855. SUI rents Mechanics Academy, holding first classes and opening the first SUI library – becomes known as the Cradle of the University. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7)
• 1855. As SUI opens in Mechanics Academy, the only successful part of the school over the next 5 years is the Normal School – offering two-year degrees for teachers in training.
• 1855. The first church bell in Iowa City (1845) sells to SUI and is used in Mechanics Academy for first classes. St. Mary’s installs their first church bell. (2)
• 1855. George H. Yewell’s sketches offer unique views of early Iowa City. (2)
• 1855. Samuel & Jane Kirkwood come to Johnson County, Iowa to join family business at Coral Mill. (2), (3)
• 1855. N. Howe Parker publishes Iowa – As It Is – A Handbook for Emmigrants.
• 1856. The Iowa Land Bill helps finance four major railroads in Iowa – funding the national race toward the completion of a Transcontinental Railroad.
• 1856. The Mississippi & Missouri Railroad completes their first line into Iowa City (before midnight on New Years Eve-1855) and the first train with passengers arrives on January 3. (2) (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9)
• 1856. In February, Governor James W. Grimes invites the anti-slavery movement to form a new political party across Iowa – the beginnings of the Republican Party has begun.
• 1856. H.D. Downey opens Iowa City’s new Banking House on Banking Corner – the SE corner of Clinton & Washington Streets. (2)
• 1856. The Rock Island Railroad Bridge – the first bridge built over the Mississippi River – opens, giving Iowans direct rail service to Chicago and New York City.
• 1856. The Iowa City Republican offers readers the top three hotels in the city.
• 1856. Daniel J. Boller is born in Johnson County, Washington Township, (2)
• 1856. Muscatine educator, D. Franklin Wells, comes to Iowa City to oversee the new SUI Normal School – over the next decade his leadership keeps SUI alive.
• 1856. Dr. Abram O. Blanding of Massachusetts, moves to Lyons (Clinton) – during the Civil War, Blanding served as a surgeon for the Union army.
• 1856. In Tama County, School Fund Commissioner L.S. Frederick steps in to oversee the sale of land which will create more funding for Iowa schools.
• 1856. Rev. Josias Ritter and his wife, Christiana, arrive in Iowa City to pastor the first German Lutheran Church (1856-1858).
• 1856. First Presbyterian Church opens new building (Old Brick) on Market Street in Iowa City.
• 1856. George D. Woodin and others open up the Lane Trail, part of the Underground Railroad across Iowa.
• 1856. Alexander Levi, who came to Dubuque in 1833, organizes Iowa’s first Jewish congregation, meeting in a rented hall.
• 1857. Johnson County opens its third County Court House. (2), (3), (4)
• 1857. The Iowa State Legislature writes a new state constitution. (2), (3)
• 1857. The economic boom of the 1850’s suddenly ends with the financial Panic of 1857.
• 1857. An early-November snowstorm hits just as the state capital is moving 120 miles westward to Des Moines. (2), (3), (4)
• 1857. As the state capital moves to Des Moines, the legislature better defines the state-sponsored university, giving the now-vacated state capitol building to the State University of Iowa (SUI) for classroom and office space. (2), (3), (4)
• 1857. The Sauk and Fox Tribes (Meskwaki) return to Iowa, buying 80 acres in Tama County. (2), (3)
• 1857. Charles & Matilda Aldrich relocate from New York to Iowa – a newspaperman, Aldrich becomes known as the first “Conservator of Iowa History.”
• 1857. Simeon Hotz opens his first brewery in Iowa City, joining with Anton Geiger in 1868 to form Union Brewery. Just down Market Street, George L Ruppert opens Great Western Brewery as well. (2)
• 1858. The mysterious death of one “very slippery fellow,” Boyd Wilkinson, stirs up excitement in Iowa City.
• 1858. George H. Yewell paints portraits of some of Iowa’s most famous leaders of the day.
• 1859. The 19-year old pastor, Johann F. Doescher, comes to Iowa City to take over leadership of the German Lutheran Church (Zion Lutheran).
• 1858. In 1848, two old-school Democrats who supported slavery were appointed as Iowa’s first U.S. Senators, but by 1858, both were gone – replaced by two new faces who better represented Iowa’s anti-slavery viewpoint. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1859. The Great Iowa City Tornado sweeps through the south side of the city – bringing death and destruction. Iowa City artist & photographer Isaac I. Wetherby takes the story to a national audience.
• 1859. With the help of Iowa City’s William Penn Clarke, John Brown, the abolitionist, networks through Iowa, via the Underground Railroad, on his way east to Harpers Ferry, Virginia, where his death serves as a catalyst to the Civil War. (2), (3), (4)
• 1859. Samuel Kirkwood and Augustus Dodge crisscross Iowa – debating the pros and cons of slavery in the Iowa Gubernatorial Election. In October, Kirkwood is elected – becoming Iowa’s Civil War Governor.

• 1860. Iowa City’s first “free” bridge opens at Burlington Street, but partially collapses in 1863. (2), (3)
• 1860. The Mississippi-Missouri Railroad bridge over the Iowa River in Iowa City opens. (2) (3), (4)
• 1860. Iowa City hosts the Seventh Iowa State Fair – with large crowds attending despite rainy October weather.
• 1860. While some limited classes are offered between 1855-1859, it is only now, in 1860, when the State University of Iowa actually opens up a full slate of college-level courses. (2)
• 1860. A Horse Barn is built adjacent to Old Capitol, just west of the planned South Hall (1861). (2)
• 1860. Abraham Lincoln is elected President of the U.S. on the wings of the massive support from the “Wide-Awake” youth movement.
• 1861. Governor Kirkwood calls for Iowa citizens to join the Union Army’s effort in the Civil War.
• 1861. Meet a quartet of Iowa Citians – four young men – all with Richland, Ohio connections – who enlist in the Union Army.
• 1861. After the start of the Civil War, the U.S. Postal Service replaces all existing postage stamps with a new series. Postmasters have a six-day window to make the exchange.
• 1861. James R. Hartsock is appointed Postmaster in Iowa City by President Lincoln.
• 1861. South Hall is built adjacent to Old Capitol on University Square.
• 1862. The first bell rings out from Old Capitol, replacing the bell used in Mechanics Academy (1855).
• 1862. Camp Pope opens in Iowa City – a mustering-in camp for Iowa men signing up for Civil War service in the Union Army. (2), (3), (4)
• 1862. Captain A.B. Cree and the 22nd Iowa Infantry – the Civil War’s Johnson County Regiment leaves Iowa City for its 3-year tour.
• 1862. Four Iowa soldiers are promoted for brave service via letters of recommendation sent to Governor Kirkwood and U.S. Senator Harlan.
• 1862. Mt. Pleasant (Henry County) newspaperman and statesman Samuel MacFarland, like 3,000 other Iowans, dies in action, fighting in the Civil War.
• 1862. Isaac Wetherby opens his larger, state-of-the-art photography studio on the west side of Clinton Street, just south of University Square.
• 1862. Rev. Heinrich W. Wehrs comes to Iowa City to work alongside Rev. Johann Doescher, serving as a 200-mile circuit preacher before taking over the German Lutheran Church (Zion Lutheran) from 1863 to 1866.
• 1862. The Sisters of Mercy (BVM) open St. Agatha’s Women’s Seminary in Iowa City and over the next fifty years (1862-1911) offer women one of the nation’s finest opportunities in equal education. (2)
• 1863. Sgt. Major Alexander Clark of Muscatine presents troop flag to 1st Colored Regiment of Iowa in St. Louis as they head southward into the Civil War.
• 1863. President Abraham Lincoln issues a proclamation for a national day of Thanksgiving.
• 1863. President Abraham Lincoln issues his Emancipation Proclamation.
• 1863. Political cartoonist Thomas Nast publishes his first rendition of St. Nicolas – Santa visiting Union soldiers during the Civil War.
• 1863. The volatile and abrasive Danish-born chemist, Gustavus D. Hinrichs, begins his illustrious 23-year teaching career at SUI.
• 1863. The Methodist congregation enlarge their building in downtown Iowa City, adding colored glass windows and a tall steeple.
• 1863. Barbara (Miller) Boller is born in Johnson County, Washington Township.
• 1864. Governor Stone calls for able-bodied Iowa men to enlist as 100-day soldiers, troops that will help the North bring the Civil War to a much-needed conclusion.
• 1864. T.S. Parvin, as secretary, assists with the formation of the State Historical Society of Iowa.
• 1864. A second bell, one that will remain until 2001, replaces the cracked one (1862) in Old Capitol.
• 1864. The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad establishes the first RPO (Railway Post Office) in the U.S., running from Chicago to Clinton, Iowa. For over 100 years, RPO’s serve as the fastest and most economical way to move mail across the country. (2)
• 1864. Dr. Washington F. Peck, surgeon, arrives in Davenport to start a new medical practice.
• 1865. Photographer Isaac Wetherby takes iconic photo of Old Capitol memorial service for President Abraham Lincoln. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7)
• 1865. Construction begins on North Hall adjacent to Old Capitol on University Square.
• 1865. Iowa Supreme Court Justices Chester C. Cole and George W. Wright start the first school of law west of the Mississippi River – which soon becomes the SUI College of Law.
• 1865. As the Civil War ends, more African-Americans settle in Iowa City – building simple homes on Blocks 96-99 on the riverfront. (2)
• 1865. J.G. Fink partners with H.J. Wieneke to open Fink’s Cigar Store in Iowa City. (2)
• 1865. Educator William McClain moves to Iowa City – forms the Iowa City Commercial College and Iowa City Academy over the next five years.
• 1865. Samuel D. Guengerich returns to Amish, Iowa to begin 60+ year career as a well-known religious educator.
• 1866. The steamboat Iowa City makes her final run into Iowa City – the dream of a Port of Iowa City dies. (2)
• 1866. After a Harvard zoologist visits Johnson County in 1864 – lecturing about the rich deposits of fossilized coral in the area, the people of Clarksville rename their community Coralville. (2), (3)
• 1866. The Mississippi & Missouri Railroad is purchased by the Rock Island Railroad. (2), (3)
• 1867. The cornerstone for St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Iowa City is laid. (2)
• 1867. Joseph M. Beck of Ft. Madison is appointed to the Iowa Supreme Court – will serve 24 years til 1891.
• 1867. The Cedar Rapids & Missouri River (CR&MR) Railroad arrives in Council Bluffs – becoming the first Iowa railroad to reach the Missouri River.
• 1868. A. Ruger – Bird’s Eye View of Iowa City map. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1868. F.M. Irish writes a first-hand, four-part historical account of Johnson County history – published in Annals of Iowa. (2)
• 1868. The University Reporter begins as a 16-page monthly newspaper covering news for SUI.
• 1868. The Iowa Supreme Court rules in favor of Alexander Clark and his family, when Muscatine school board refuses to allow their daughter, Susan, to attend a public school. (2)
• 1868. The African-American community in Iowa City starts Zion AME Church (later renamed Bethel AME). (2)
• 1869. The Congregational Church on North Clinton Street in Iowa City opens with the tall spire becoming a major landmark.
• 1869. Iowa farm boy, David Heizer, after serving in the Civil War, attends the State University of Iowa, before heading west to Kansas, finally becoming the mayor of Colorado Springs (1907).

• 1870. The State University of Iowa opens its College of Medicine (South Hall) in Iowa City. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
• 1870. The Universalist (Unitarian) Church (Unity Hall) opens on the corner of N. Clinton and Iowa Avenue. (2)
• 1870. The Western Stage Company runs its last stagecoach from Des Moines – the stage coach era in Iowa comes to a close.
• 1871. Dr. Otto Heinsius moves from Iowa City to Solon in order to open his medical practice and drug store.
• 1871. Iowa historian, Benjamin F. Shambaugh is born in Clinton County, Iowa.
• 1871. The generation three Boller children attend the newly-formed Independent Union Sabbeth School near Kalona, Iowa.
• 1871. Charles C. Yoder opens his Dry Goods Store in Amish, Iowa
• 1872. Iowa City’s largest hotel – The Clinton Inn – is destroyed by fire.
• 1872. The St. James Hotel opens in downtown Iowa City. (2), (3)
• 1872. P.T. Barnum brings his Greatest Show on Earth to Iowa City – the first circus to come to our fair community.
• 1873. The State University of Iowa Hospital opens in Mechanics Academy, with the help of the Sisters of Mercy from Davenport. (2), (3)
• 1873. The BCR&N Railroad opens the Iowa City Plug Line from Elmira switching center. (2)
• 1873. The community of Coralville is incorporated and is included in Johnson County’s new Lucas Township. (2)
• 1873. Judge Joseph M. Beck, Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court rules in favor of Emma Coger, an African American woman who was wrongfully discriminated against on a Mississippi RIver boat in September 1872. (2)
• 1873. John P. Dostal purchases Great Western Brewery in Iowa City, and one year later, Conrad Graf is hired as brew-master of Union Brewery. (2)
• 1874. The first SUI Astronomical Observatory is built (near the north end of Clinton Street).
• 1874. Herbert Hoover is born in West Branch, Iowa. (2)
• 1874. St. Mary’s of Iowa City parish add the tall spire and bell tower to their building.
• 1874. William H. James keeps the family tradition going by opening James Photography on Clinton Street in Iowa City.
• 1875. A.T. Andreas publishes atlas featuring maps of Iowa – including Iowa City. (2)
• 1875. F.M. Irish dies suddenly in a freak sleigh accident in Iowa City.
• 1875. Iowa’s Civil War Governor, Samuel J. Kirkwood, is re-elected governor.
• 1875. SUI Professor Gustavus D. Hinrichs develops the beginnings of the Iowa Weather Service by building a weather observation lab on the roof of his house.
• 1876. Iowa Avenue in Iowa City (the site of the National Road and the first ferry crossing) finally gets a steel bridge – The Centennial Bridge – celebrating the U.S. Centennial (1776-1876).
• 1876. The College of Homeopathic Medicine opens at SUI – closes in 1919. (2)
• 1876. The Boerner family, immigrants from Prussia, opens Boerner Pharmacy – one of Iowa City’s first drug stores. From its new location on Washington Street (1883), Boerner’s will serve Iowa City for 63 years.
• 1877. George F. Boller dies in Elkhart County, Indiana.
• 1877. P.T. Barnum brings his Greatest Show on Earth to Iowa City for the third time in this decade – promotional circus posters from this circus mysteriously appear years later in the Englert family.
• 1877. John J. Englert takes over as owner of Englert City Brewery. Iowa City’s oldest brewery. (2)
• 1878. SUI appropriates funds to open the first Homeopathic Medical Building on N. Clinton Street.
• 1878. SUI Science Professor Gustavus D. Hinrichs redefines a massive 1877 Iowa thunderstorm by naming it a derecho.
• 1878. Frederick & Matilda Schmieg of Burlington purchase a Steinway Concert Grand Piano made in 1876. 130 years later (2006) ‘Rose’ finds a new musical home in the Senate Chamber of Old Capitol in Iowa City.
• 1878. After 24 years of multiple locations, the Iowa State Fair is moved permanently to Des Moines.
• 1879. The SUI Power Plant/Armory is constructed adjacent to Old Capitol, bringing steam heat to University Square. (2), (3), (4)
• 1879. Alexander Clark, Jr. becomes the first African American graduate of SUI School of Law – his father, Alexander Clark, Sr. follows in his footsteps in 1884.
• 1879. Charles B. Elliott, who becomes a renowned lawyer in Minneapolis, enters law school at SUI.
• 1879. The BCR&N Railroad expands through Johnson County – Kalona (Bulltown), Iowa is born. (2)
• 1879. William E. Shrader opens Shrader Drug Store on the corner of College & Clinton Streets in Iowa City.

• 1880. The Victorian-style Water Closet (bathrooms) is constructed adjacent to Old Capitol, replacing traditional outhouses (1840’s), and a small building (Weights & Measures Building) is constructed just north & west of North Hall. (2), (3)
• 1880. Iowa City pioneer Cyrus Sanders begins writing a regular column on Johnson County history for The Iowa City Daily Republican. (2)
• 1880. The Iowa City Board of Trade publishes Sketch of Johnson County – a 28-page booklet that focuses on current business in the area.
• 1880. Originally settled as Crooked Creek in 1840, the small community in Henry County (Marshall) renames itself – Wayland, Iowa. (2)
• 1880. Sumner “Hawkeye” Phelps, first white trader in Johnson County, dies in Oquawka, Illinois. (2)
• 1881. Thomas B. Wales III & Brookbank Farm of Iowa City becomes the “hub” for Holstein cattle-breeding in the United States (1881-1891).
• 1881. Iowa City opens its new City Hall at the corner of Linn and Washington Streets. (2)
• 1881. Iowa’s first marching band, under the direction of the SUI military, makes its first public appearance. (2)
• 1881. Emlin McClain, farm boy from Tipton and 1873 graduate of SUI, is invited to come back to Iowa City as the first law student to become a SUI law professor.
• 1881. Daniel J. Boller and Barbara Miller are married in Johnson County, near Amish, Iowa. (2)
• 1881. William Hollis Boyer is born in Ohio – Boyer family moves to Trenton, Missouri in 1883.
• 1882. S.U.I. Library relocates from Old Capitol to North Hall.
• 1882. The Medical Building opens on University Square. (2)
• 1883. History of Johnson County, Iowa containing a History of the County and the Townships, Cities and Villages from 1836 to 1882 is published – a 966-page instant classic. (2)
• 1883. The SUI Marching Band makes its first appearance at an Iowa intramural football game – Iowa at Cornell College.
• 1883. The Englert family opens Englert Brothers Wood & Ice Company – supplying Iowa City with firewood in the winter and ice in the summer.
• 1883. Carrie C. Lane (Catt), age 24, becomes school superintendent of Mason City schools, one of the first women in US to hold such a position.
• 1884. Waldo E. Boller is born in Washington Township, Johnson County, (2)
• 1884. Construction on the Science Building (Calvin Hall) begins on University Square. (2)
• 1884. H.W. Hill & Co. of Decatur, Illinois produce a wildly-popular pig poster featuring the nicknames of the 38 U.S. States & 9 U.S. Territories.
• 1884. Tensions over prohibition across Iowa explode in Iowa City with the Iowa City Beer Riots.
• 1885. Iowa City’s baseball club, The Neversweats, complete a near perfect season. (2)
• 1885. Emil Boerner single-handedly starts SUI’s College of Pharmacy, serving as its first dean and only faculty member.
• 1885. Educator Eldon Moran oversees the SUI School of Short-Hand & Reporters’ Bureau while writing & publishing numerous textbooks that reach a national audience.
• 1885. The Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa – under the direction of T.S. Parvin and his Newton R. Parvin – relocates from Iowa City to Cedar Rapids, opening their new library. (2)
• 1886. The new capitol building opens in Des Moines, completing the move from Iowa City that began in 1857.
• 1887. Olive Alice (Hulme) Boller is born in Henry County, Iowa. (2)
• 1887. Seniors at SUI choose Old Gold as the school color.
• 1887. Frederick Boller dies – buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Amish, Iowa. (2)
• 1888. The Sanborn Map & Publishing Company publish maps of Iowa City (1880s-1920’s) for Fire Insurance coverage.
• 1888. George Washington Carver relocates to Winterest, Iowa, enrolling at Simpson College in 1890, and becoming the first African-American student and faculty member at ISU (1891-1896).
• 1889. Iowa City resident, M.H. Bailey orders furniture from Montgomery Ward & Co. using their Wish Book, a mail-order catalog that turned retailing on its ear beginning in 1872.

• 1890. Construction of the controversial Chemistry Laboratory & Pharmacy Building (East Hall Annex) begins. (2)
• 1890. The Forest City, Iowa meteorite involves SUI-trained lawyer, Charles B. Elliott.
• 1890. The Chancellor of the SUI School of Law, Emlin McClain, is selected as a new Justice on the Iowa Supreme Court.
• 1890. William P. Coast starts Coast & Sons Clothier in Iowa City – a successful men’s shop on Clinton Street from 1890-1935.
• 1891. Close Hall (YMCA/YWCA) opens – located on Iowa Avenue near University Square. (2)
• 1891. Artist Grant Wood is born on a farm near Anamosa, Iowa
• 1891. The second Astronomical Observatory is built on the northwest corner of University Square.
• 1891. SUI Professor H.F. Wickham begins his 40-year career in entomology – known by his many students as Bugs.
• 1891. Meet Paul & Rachel Ward – an older African-American couple living on Iowa City’s riverfront – Block 98.
• 1893. Iowa City opens its first high school on southwest corner of Centre Market square.
• 1893. Professor Benjamin Shambaugh publishes Iowa City – A Contribution to the Early History of Iowa.
• 1894. The new Dental Building opens on University Square, housing the growing Dental School which opened in 1883 (South Hall).
• 1894. The first Iowa-Iowa State football game is played in Iowa City – Iowa Field.
• 1894. When a variety of golden shades are used on campus, students at SUI vote to make Old Gold the “official” school color.
• 1894. Edith Mae Agee (Boyer) is born in Trenton, Missouri.
• 1895. The new Homeopathic Medical Hospital opens on the corner of Dubuque & Jefferson Streets.
• 1895. SUI reaches its golden moment of the nineteenth century – The Red Brick Campus. (2)
• 1895. Clinton Street is the first Iowa City street to be paved with bricks – beginning an eight-city-block paving project in the summer/fall of 1895.
• 1895. Iowa Field opens, home of the Iowa football team – located along the Iowa River between Iowa Ave. and Burlington St. (2), (3), (4)
• 1895. SUI becomes one of the first colleges in America to place an African American on a varsity athletic squad – Frank “Kinney” Holbrook in track & football.
• 1895. Business college owner Elizabeth Irish becomes the only woman in the Iowa City Commercial Club – a forerunner to the Chamber of Commerce. (2), (3)
• 1896. Daniel J. Boller and his family relocate from Grinnell to Wayland, Iowa, opening Boller Furniture Company. (2), (3)
• 1896. The nation’s first-ever collegiate 5-on-5 basketball game is played in the gymnasium/basement of Close Hall (Iowa vs. Chicago). (2)
• 1896. SUI wins its very first conference title in football behind the amazing athletic ability of Tipton, Iowa’s very own iron man – Frank “Kinney” Holbrook.
• 1897. Mechanics Academy is razed, making way for new SUI Hospital. (2)
• 1897. The Sisters of Mercy open Mercy Hospital – Iowa City.
• 1897. North Hall is struck by lightning, fire destroys SUI Library & auditorium on the second floor. (2)
• 1897. As a result of the North Hall fire, the SUI library and other student-related activities move into the Unitarian Church (Unity Hall) – located across Clinton Street from University Square.
• 1897. SUI President Charles Schaeffer calls for a long-range facility plan – proposes a contest to design a new Liberal Arts Building (Schaeffer Hall).
• 1897. The first street in Iowa City is paved with bricks – Clinton Street across from University Square., (2)
• 1897. The Iowa City Public Library opens its first location on Iowa Avenue.
• 1898. The first wing of the SUI Hospital on Iowa Avenue opens (East Hall).
• 1898. Rock Island Railroad opens new depot in Iowa City.
• 1898. William Hollis Boyer begins 53-year career with the Rock Island Railroad in Trenton, Missouri.
• 1898. The U.S. government approves the production of postcards by non-government-related companies. The penny-postcard boom begins! (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1899. First formed in 1896, the Western Conference invites Iowa and Indiana to join, making The Big Nine Conference. By 1916, with Ohio State on board, the Big Ten Conference is open for business.
• 1899. Daniel & Barbara Boller head up planning committee to start a new Mennonite church in Wayland.
• 1899. The W.F. Main Company and O.S. Kelly Manufacturing build new plants just east of the Iowa City – the beginnings of East Iowa City and the Rundell neighborhoods.
• 1899. William E. Shrader opens Shrader Drug Company in Iowa City.
• 1899. Emil Boerner teams with William Fry to build a commercial, state-of-the-art pharmaceutical laboratory on Washington Street in Iowa City.
• 1899. German-born Otto Kuntze becomes one of America’s finest mineralogists opening his Iowa Mineral Office in Iowa City.
• 1899. 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration for Jacob & Catharine Boller in Kalona, Iowa, (2)

• 1900. SUI President George MacLean announces his “New University” facility plan – the beginnings of the Pentacrest. (2), (3)
• 1900. Iowa City’s best-known historian, Irving Weber is born.
• 1900. The Johnson County Atlas shows both Clarksville and Coralville on its city plat map.
• 1901. A massive fire destroys both South Hall and the Medical Building on University Square. Buildings are replaced with temporary buildings, one affectionately called the Sheep Shed (razed-1909), and the other – the Mining Engineering Laboratory (razed-1908). (2)
• 1901. The Vidette-Reporter combines with the SUI Quill to form The Daily Iowan. (2)
• 1901. Johnson County opens its newest County Court House on South Clinton Street. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
• 1902. The Liberal Arts Building (Schaeffer Hall) opens on University Square.
• 1902. Catharine (Smucker) Boller dies in Kalona, Iowa.
• 1902. Composer Meredith Willson is born in Mason City, Iowa, (2)
• 1903. Iowa City opens its second high school on northeast corner of Centre Market square.
• 1903. Waldo Boller, age 19, and his brother, Frank, age 17, comprise half of Wayland High School’s second graduating class. (2), (3)
• 1903. Ida Mae Boller receives first of two Certificates of Attendance in Prairie Dale/Johnson County School.
• 1904. The Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Railway (CRANDIC) completes its Iowa River bridge, connecting Iowa City to Cedar Rapids by interurban rail. (2)
• 1904. The new Iowa City Carnegie Public Library opens on Linn Street. (2)
• 1905. At the turn of the 20th century, a set of decorative penny postcards was produced by the Meskwaki Tribe in Tama County, Iowa.
• 1905. The Science Building (Calvin Hall) is moved across Jefferson and Capitol Streets to make way for the new Natural Science Building (MacBride Hall). (2), (3)
• 1905. The new SUI Armory opens adjacent to Iowa Field. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1905. A $20 prize is awarded to senior John C. Parish for writing the lyrics for Old Gold, SUI’s first official song. The first performance comes at commencement in June 1909. (2)
• 1905. The decorative hexagonal drinking fountain/watering trough opens on Iowa Avenue.
• 1906. The Hall of Natural Science (Macbride Hall) opens on University Square.
• 1906. SUI purchases Unity Hall (Unitarian Church), expanding it in 1911 to become the first Student Union. (2)
• 1906. The Iowa City business community publishes “Our Live Ones” featuring cartoon pics of 40 prominent city leaders. (2)
• 1906. Otto Fink partners with H.J. Wieneke, managing Fink’s Cigar Store in the St. James Hotel. (2), (3)
• 1906. The new Iowa City Post Office opens for business on Linn Street.
• 1906. Iowa City’s City Park (78 acres) opens. (2)
• 1906. Waldo Boller “officially” joins his father, D.J. Boller, in managing Boller Furniture Company of Wayland, Iowa. (2)
• 1906. Ding Darling becomes the political cartoonist for The Des Moines Register. (2)
• 1907. Jacob B. Boller dies in Kalona, Iowa.
• 1907. The long-standing Horse Barn (1860’s) is razed, making way for the construction of the new Physics Building (Jessup Hall). (2)
• 1907. The State Historical Society of Iowa elects Benjamin Shambaugh Superintendent/Editor. (2)
• 1907. Lulu M. Johnson, Johnson County’s namesake, is born in Gravity, Iowa.
• 1907. The influential Dunkel Family has been in Iowa City since 1840 with many of their exploits appearing in local newspapers. 1907 is no exception!
• 1908. In response to the national outbreak of tuberculosis, the State of Iowa opens Oakdale Hall sanatorium.
• 1908. The decorative Water Closet (bathrooms), located adjacent to Old Capitol, is razed. (2), (3)
• 1908. Burch the Bear makes his debut performance at Iowa football games. (2)
• 1909. SUI’s first Observatory (now a carpenter’s shop) is razed, making way for the construction of the new SUI President’s home on N. Clinton Street. (2), (3)
• 1909. Miss Tillie Hanson of St. Louis receives her first in a series of 12 colorful penny postcards from her cousins and friends in Iowa City.

• 1910. Captain Tom Baldwin brings his Red Devil aeroplane to Iowa City for first successful flight in Iowa.
• 1910. Burch the Bear escapes his cage and ends up frozen in the Iowa River. (2)
• 1910. On March 21, Iowa Citians narrowly approve a vote to annex large portions of land outside the city limits – doubling the size of Iowa City.
• 1910. The Iowa City Electric Railway begins operation with a single trolley car running between the Rundell neighborhood on the east side to downtown Iowa City.
• 1910. 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration for Jacob & Catherine Miller in Deer Creek. (2)
• 1911. Young photographer, Fred W. Kent, begins undergraduate work at SUI. (2), (3)
• 1911. Robert N. Carson, AAA member, organizes the Red Ball Route – an improved roadway from St. Louis to St. Paul, running through Iowa City. (2)
• 1911. In Muscatine, rioting breaks out as pearl button manufacturers go head-to-head with employees – the Iowa governor calls in the state militia.
• 1911. St. Agatha’s Seminary in Iowa City closes after 50 years of offering fine educational opportunities to women – the building is renamed Svendi Hall and serves as a women’s dorm for SUI students.
• 1911. In late November, Iowa City receives a visit from Klondike Bill and his seven-team dog sled.
• 1912. Iowa City’s new baseball club – The Gold Sox – play their first season in Rundell Park.
• 1912. SUI hosts its first Homecoming Weekend.
• 1912. The Physics Building (MacLean Hall) opens on University Square.
• 1912. Clarence Ray Aurner publishes Leading Events in Johnson County, Iowa – Volume 1, and Volume 2 follows in 1913.
• 1912. Waldo E. Boller marries Olive Alice Hulme in Wayland, Iowa. (2), (3)
• 1912. William & Etta Englert open The Englert Theatre in Iowa City – a state-of-the-art theater that seats 1,079 patrons.
• 1913. Fred Racine – Iowa City’s famed cigar store owner – buys out the Gold Sox – renaming the Iowa City baseball club – The Racine Ramblers.
• 1913. Iowa defeats Iowa State 45-7 at Iowa Field, ISU fans take Iowa’s Victory Bell, hiding it in the belfry of Unity Hall. (2)
• 1913. SUI Student Union relocates from Unity Hall to Brunswick Bowling Parlor on Iowa Ave. – Unity Hall becomes the home for the School of Music. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1913. The Women’s Gymnasium opens on Jefferson St. (renamed Halsey Hall in 1975).
• 1914. The SUI Student Union moves into the St. James Hotel. (2), (3), (4)
• 1914. The Mississippi Valley Electric Company buys out the Iowa City Electric Company, keeping Iowa City street cars running until being replaced in 1930 with motorized buses.
• 1915. John T. Frederick, an undergraduate at SUI, starts Midland Magazine.
• 1915. Fred W. Kent becomes the “official” photographer for all SUI events. (2), (3)
• 1915. William Hollis (Hollie) Boyer marries Edith Mae (Edie) Agee in Trenton, Missouri.
• 1916. On Good Friday, the St. James Hotel burns to the ground. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1916. Kathyrn Anna Boller is born in Wayland, Iowa, daughter of Waldo & Olive Boller – lives only one day (Nov 29).
• 1916. A telephone pole on the corner of Dubuque & Washington Streets in Iowa City becomes the world’s record holder for displaying the most road identification signs, including the Red Ball Route.
• 1917. SUI holds its first Homecoming Parade.
• 1917. The Daily Iowan moves its offices from 28 S. Clinton into Close Hall – George Gallup serves as editor in the early 1920’s. (2)
• 1918. Iowa City opens the first commercial airport west of the Mississippi River. (2)
• 1918. Nile Kinnick, Iowa’s only Heisman Trophy winner, is born in Adel, Iowa.
• 1918. Olive Hulme Boller’s brother, John Dill Hulme dies in France during WWI.
• 1919. W.R. Law writes the SUI song, “On Iowa,” (2), (3)
• 1919. SUI Engineering students erect their first Homecoming Corn Monument.
• 1919. SUI Children’s Hospital opens on the west side of the Iowa River.
• 1919. Ding Darling meets Herbert Hoover for the first time at the Ft. Des Moines Hotel.

• 1920. SUI Power Plant/Armory (Hall of Electrical Engineering) adjacent to Old Capitol is razed, following a fire. (2), (3)
• 1920. The last homes and businesses located on Blocks 96-99 on the Iowa River – west of Old Capitol – are scheduled for removal – making way for the new SUI Student Union. (2)
• 1920. The first airmail flight from Chicago to Omaha has a single stop in Iowa City.
• 1920. The hard work of Iowa’s own Carrie C. Catt and others culminates in the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote.
• 1920. Waldo E. Boller takes over management of the family business, Boller Furniture Company in Wayland, Iowa. (2)
• 1921. George Edward Boller is born in Wayland, Iowa. (2), (3), (4)
• 1921. The Iowa State Legislature officially approves Dixie C. Gebhardt’s design of the Iowa State Flag.
• 1921. Iowa’s March King, Karl L. King, helps pass The Iowa Band Law, which opens up opportunities for community bands nationwide.
• 1921. All-American Duke Slater leads Iowa to a mythical national championship in college football, highlighted by a 10-7 victory over Knute Rockne’s Fighting Irish.
• 1921. A 120-page volume entitled University of Iowa Songs is released featuring Old Gold and other Iowa-related spirit-songs.
• 1921. A full-scale rehabilitation of Old Capitol begins, shoring up many unfinished facility issues, including replacement of the spiral staircase, and making the building more useful as SUI’s administration building.
• 1923. SUI’s second Observatory and the Weights & Measures Building are razed, making way for the Pentacrest’s University Hall (Jessup Hall). (2), (3)
• 1923. Dixie Lee (Boyer) Boller is born in Trenton, Missouri. (2), (3), (4)
• 1923. H.J. Wieneke, long-time Iowa City businessman, dies.
• 1923. Cornerstone for SUI’s Iowa Memorial Union is laid – Unit I opens in 1925, Unit II in 1927. (2), (3)
• 1923. Samuel W. Mercer moves Economy Advertising to expanded building on N. Linn St.
• 1923. The Iowa City Public Schools name their new athletic field – Shrader Field – honoring Lt. Edwin Shrader who was killed in a airplane crash in 1922.
• 1924. The SUI Homecoming Committee distributes its first Homecoming Badge.
• 1924. EKKO Radio Stamps hit the market promoting over 600 radio stations across the country, including Iowa City’s WSUI and KFQP.
• 1924. The School of Journalism moves into Close Hall. (2)
• 1924. University Hall (Jessup Hall) opens on University Square.
• 1924. The BCR&N Railroad ends passenger service to Iowa City.
• 1925. SUI President MacLean’s dream of a “New University” is nearly complete. The set of five buildings on University Square is dubbed The Five Spot by SUI students, but a contest in The Daily Iowan produces the name . . . The Pentacrest. (2), (3)
• 1925. The first Iowa-related US postage stamp – honoring Norse-American heritage – has a first-day release in Decorah and Algona, Iowa.
• 1925. Newton R. Parvin – son of T.S. Parvin – dies, ending an 80-year Parvin-family run as General Secretary of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa. (2)
• 1926. 5-year old George Boller attends his first Iowa football game with his dad, Waldo Boller. (2), (3), (4)
• 1926. Union Field opens (Block 98) south of the new Iowa Memorial Union.
• 1926. Carrie C. Catt is featured on the cover of Time magazine.
• 1927. Iowa Field House and Armory open on the west side of the Iowa River. (2), (3)
• 1927. SUI Professor of Natural History, C.C. Nutting dies – visionary for natural science displays in Macbride Hall.
• 1927. First commercial air flight (from Chicago) into Iowa City.
• 1927. Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover addresses The Iowa Society of Washington DC on the subject of his “Boyhood Days In Iowa.”
• 1928. SUI University Hospital opens its first wing (including the Hospital Tower) on the west side of the Iowa River. (2), (3)
• 1928. Iowa-born Herbert Hoover is elected President of the US. (2), (3), (4)
• 1928. Aviator Paul B. Shaw moves to Iowa City – begins Shaw Aircraft Company. (2)
• 1929. Iowa Stadium opens on the west side of the Iowa River. The first game was Oct. 5 with Iowa beating Monmouth 46-0. The dedication game (Oct. 19) was rain-drenched with Iowa and Illinois playing to a 7-7 tie. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1929. The Homeopathic Medical Building is destroyed by fire. Corner of Dubuque & Jefferson Streets is made into green space until 1960’s.

• 1930. Artist Grant Wood creates his iconic painting, American Gothic.
• 1931. Allyn and Helen Lemme return to Iowa City – opening their home to African American SUI students who are shut out of dorms due to racial prejudice.
• 1932. Rex the ROTC Dog welcomes Ossie Solem, Iowa’s new football coach. (2), (3)
• 1932. Ronald Reagan begins his stint as Sports Director at WHO Radio in Des Moines.
• 1933. Unity Hall (Old Unity) is razed, is replaced (1945) with temporary quonset hut classroom space during WWII. (2), (3)
• 1933. As Unity Hall is razed, Iowa’s Victory Bell is discovered in the belfry, hidden there by ISU fans in 1913. The Victory Bell goes to the winner of 1933 Hawkeye/Cyclone game. (2)
• 1933. 12-year old George Boller travels with family friends to Chicago to take in the World’s Fair.
• 1933. On August 17, the little town of Nira, Iowa (population 20) becomes the center of attention, when USPS issues a stamp honoring Franklin Roosevelt’s NRA work relief plan. (2)
• 1934. Iowa City artist Mildred Pelzer debuts her eight murals celebrating Iowa City historical events. The murals are displayed in The Jefferson Hotel until the 1949. (2)
• 1934. Racial targeting of All-American Ozzie Simmons at Iowa’s Homecoming game raises tension between Iowa and Minnesota. The two governor’s cool things off with a friendly wager in 1935 using a prized hog named Floyd of Rosedale. (2), (3)
• 1935. As part of Roosevelt’s New Deal, the WPA – Works Progress Administration – begins putting Iowans back to work all across the Hawkeye State.
• 1935. SUI-trained lawyer, Judge Charles B. Elliott dies in Minneapolis.
• 1937. The Hawkeye Marching Band, under the leadership of ROTC since its inception in 1881, becomes part of the School of Music. The Scottish Highlanders make their first football appearance. (2)
• 1938. FDR’s WPA programs sponsor artists, musicians, writers, actors, and historians – resulting in numerous benefits to Iowa City and the fine arts.
• 1938. Iowa celebrates the 100th anniversary of becoming a US Territory. USPS issues a commemorative stamp featuring Old Capitol. (2)
• 1938. George Boller begins his college studies at SUI.
• 1939. Nile Kinnick wins the Heisman Trophy as he leads the Iron Men of Iowa to college football fame and fortune. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8)
• 1939. Iowa City celebrates its 100th anniversary. (2)
• 1939. The CRANDIC Railway brings Red Devil cars into service – making riders a bit dizzy with higher speeds over uneven tracks. The joke – “Come Swing & Sway the CRANDIC Way” begins to circulate with some calling the cars “Vomit Comets.”
• 1939. Two major Iowa River WPA beautification projects begin.
• 1939. Iowa City opens its third high school locating it on the Johnson County Fairgrounds east of the city.
• 1939. Aviator Paul B. Shaw begins CAA Civilian Pilot Training Program at Iowa City Airport – first class includes SUI coed Sally Johnson. (2)
• 1939. On the 100th anniversary of Iowa City, Benjamin Shambaugh publishes his classic book, The Old Stone Capitol Remembers. (2)

• 1940. A New Year’s Day fire destroys the second floor of Close Hall.
• 1940. The keel is laid in place for the USS Iowa in New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn.
• 1941. Meredith Willson has two love songs that become chart-toppers recorded by Hollywood’s top stars.
• 1941. Waldo E. Boller (age 57) dies in Wayland, Iowa. (2)
• 1941. Boller Furniture Company closes after 45 years of serving the people of Henry County. (2), (3)
• 1941. Paul Engle begins the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in temporary quonset hut classroom on N. Clinton St. in Iowa City.
• 1942. In the midst of WWII, the USS Iowa battleship is launched.
• 1942. The U.S. Navy begins its Pre-Flight Training School at SUI & over the next 3 years will train 2,500 pilots – with most going on to fly warplanes in the Pacific during WWII.
• 1942. George Edward Boller enters the Army (WWII), assigned to Japanese Relocation Camp in Heart Mountain, Wyoming, where he meets Dixie Lee Boyer, who is a school teacher there. (1944). (2)
• 1942. As a result of WWII, food rationing becomes a common household issue. Meet one Iowa City family as they learn to work with U.S. Government Ration Books.
• 1943. Nile Kinnick dies while piloting his Navy fighter in WWII training exercises. (2)
• 1943. The USS Iowa carries President Roosevelt to Tehran to meet with WWII allies, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin.
• 1943. War rationing forces the SUI Homecoming Badge to be made of cardboard, not metal.
• 1944. Bing Crosby introduce Meredith Willson’s first pop song dedicated to his home state of Iowa.
• 1944. Druggist & hometown artist E.E. Taber designs humorous ‘Greetings from Iowa’ postcards to sell in his drugstore in Clarion, Iowa.
• 1944. Jim Zabel becomes Sports Director at WHO Radio in Des Moines, beginning his 70-year career with Iowa Hawkeye sports.
• 1945. George Boller & Dixie Boyer exchange love letters during WWII. (2)
• 1945. George Edward Boller marries Dixie Lee Boyer in Billings, Montana. (2), (3)
• 1945. The USS Iowa serves as the Third Fleet’s flagship in Tokyo Bay as Japanese surrender, ending WWII.
• 1946. Iowa celebrates 100th anniversary of US statehood. USPS issues State Centennial commemorative stamp in Iowa City, and US Mint issues a commemorative half-dollar. (2), (3)
• 1946. Eric Hollis Boller is born in Wayland, Iowa. (2)
• 1946. Daniel J. Boller dies in Wayland, Iowa. (2)
• 1947. SUI celebrates its 100th anniversary. (2), (3)
• 1947. Following in the footsteps of Benjamin Shambaugh, William (Steamboat Bill) Peterson is appointed Superintendent/Editor of the State Historical Society of Iowa. (2)
• 1947. Fred W. Kent founds the SUI University Photo Service.
• 1948. Richard Spencer III creates Herky the Hawk, SUI’s famous mascot. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1948. USPS celebrates George Washington Carver, who was educated in Iowa, and made a huge contribution to the world of agriculture and science. A second commemorative is released in 1998 as well.
• 1948. William Edward Boller is born in Wayland, Iowa, dies after two days (Dec 5). (2)
• 1948. USPS celebrates Iowan Carrie C. Catt and her role in Woman’s Suffrage.
• 1948. In Cedar Rapids, Tait Cummins becomes Sports Director for WMT-Radio, while Bob Brooks begins his long career in sportscasting.
• 1948. Sandy Boller’s parents – Jack Unrue and LaVonne Holm – marry in Warsaw, Indiana. (2)
• 1949. North Hall, built in 1865 adjacent to Old Capitol, is razed.
• 1949. The first Midwest Old Settlers & Threshers Reunion is held in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

• 1950. Sandra Elaine (Unrue) Boller is born in Warsaw, Indiana. (2)
• 1950. Meredith Willson composes May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You, debuting it on national radio – The Big Show. (2), (3)
• 1950. In response to a challenge for a new school song, Meredith Willson writes The Iowa Fight Song, debuting it on The Big Show. (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7)
• 1950. Meredith Willson writes & records Till I Met You – the unsuccessful precursor to The Music Man‘s Till There Was You.
• 1951. Martin Jay Boller is born in Wayland, Iowa. (2), (3), (4)
• 1951. Cruise across the Hawkeye State with this “official” Iowa Highway Map.
• 1951. Herbert Hoover is awarded the first Iowa Award, the highest honor given to an Iowa citizen. (2)
• 1951. Dr. James Van Allen takes over the leadership of the SUI Physics & Astronomy Department.
• 1951. Meredith Willson is asked by NBC-Radio executives to write a song celebrating NBC’s Silver Jubilee and its famed 3-note trademark. The result came in October – Three Chimes of Silver.
• 1951. Meredith Willson’s Christmas classic – It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas – is released by Perry Como & Bing Crosby.
• 1952. Veterans Hospital opens in Iowa City, adjacent to University Hospitals.
• 1952. City Park’s Amusement Rides begin their 66-year run.
• 1953. Following in the rich tradition of Ding Darling, Frank Miller becomes the political cartoonist for The Des Moines Register.
• 1953. The CRANDIC Railway runs its last passenger car between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.
• 1954. The Hawkeye spirit-song “Roll Along, Iowa” debuts at Iowa Stadium.
• 1954. The U.S. Supreme Court rules against segregated schools in Brown v. Board of Education, 86 years after the Iowa Supreme Court made the same decision.
• 1955. Ding Darling is awarded the second Iowa Award, the highest honor given to an Iowa citizen. (2)
• 1955. Barbara (Miller) Boller dies in Wayland, Iowa. (2)
• 1956. 5-year old Marty Boller attends his first football game with his dad, George Boller – the Hawkeyes win the Big Ten championship and are invited to their first Rose Bowl (1957) overpowering California 38-12. (2)
• 1956. Director Fred Ebbs introduces ‘The Boom’ – the Hawkeye Marching Band’s long-standing pre-game tradition that kicks off each show. (2), (3)
• 1957. The Boller family relocates from Wayland to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. (2), (3)
• 1957. Meredith Willson’s Broadway smash, The Music Man, debuts in the Majestic Theatre in New York City. (2), (3)
• 1957. William Hollis (Hollie) Boyer, long-time employee of Rock Island Railroad, dies in Trenton, Missouri. (2)
• 1958. The Explorer Space Program launches three satellites into orbit, pushing the US into the space race with Russia. Equipment designed and built by Dr. James Van Allen and his SUI team detect rings of radiation around our planet – rings eventually named the Van Allen Radiation Belts.
• 1958. Rev. Fred L. Penny and his family move to Iowa City to take over leadership of Bethel AME Church. (2), (3)
• 1959. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks to a standing-room-only crowd gathered in the SUI Memorial Union Ballroom.
• 1959. SUI Physicist, Dr. James Van Allen, appears on the May cover of TIME Magazine.
• 1959. Capitol Records releases Meredith & Rini Willson’s LP – …And Then I Wrote The Music Man – an amazing record that gives a unique listen to Willson’s Broadway classic.
• 1959. After a huge Rose Bowl win, sports historian Dick Lamb produces a LP Record dedicated to the Evy era in Iowa football – Hooray For The Hawkeyes.

• 1960. Under the direction of William J. Peterson, the State Historical Society of Iowa opens the Centennial Building in Iowa City.
• 1960. The Old Gold Singers begin performing SUI’s Alma Mater, making it a popular song selection on campus.
• 1961. Simon Estes, music student at SUI, meets vocal instructor Charlie Kellis, who opens doors for Estes to become the world-renowned opera singer he is today.
• 1961. SUI Physicist, Dr. James Van Allen becomes the fourth winner of the coveted Iowa Award. (2)
• 1962. The movie version of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, debuts in Mason City. (2), (3)
• 1962. It’s Homecoming 1962 – The Daily Iowan publishes a special story on SUI’s four most popular spirit-songs.
• 1962. Brothers Fred & Herb Gartzke rescue the 1881 bell and clock from Iowa City’s old City Hall before its razed.
• 1963. Eric Boller and his Mt. Pleasant HS Panthers football team finished season ranked #1 in Iowa – undefeated, untied, un-scored upon.
• 1963. Photographer Fred W. Kent takes iconic photo of Old Capitol memorial service for President Kennedy. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1964. The Beatles appear on Ed Sullian’s TV show, making Meredith Willson’s Till There Was You a big-time pop hit.
• 1964. After 117 years, the State University of Iowa (SUI) changes its name to The University of Iowa (UI). (2)
• 1964. The City of Iowa City acquires 17.5 acres of F.M. Irish’s property, birthing Hickory Hill Park. (2)
• 1965. Undergraduate Frank Patton releases a LP record album featuring audio sound bites from across the SUI campus called Echoes of Old Gold.
• 1965. 14-year-old Marty Boller and his mom, Dixie, and two grandmothers, Edie & Olive, attend USPS Herbert Hoover stamp day in West Branch with 22,000 other attendees. (2), (3)
• 1966. The Hawkeye, George E. Boller, comes back home to Iowa City, taking a new job with The Daily Iowan. The Boller family relocates from Mt. Pleasant to Iowa City. (2), (3), (4)
• 1968. Photographer Fred W. Kent takes iconic photo of Old Capitol memorial service for Martin Luther King, Jr., (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)
• 1968. Close Hall is closed – demolition begins (1970).
• 1968. The Tom Davis-era (1968-1972) begins with the Hawkeye Marching Band. Martin Boller will join the sousaphone section 1969-1972. (2), (3)
• 1968. Sandy Unrue graduates from Concord High School in Elkhart, Indiana – enrolls as music major at Northwestern University. (2)
• 1969. Martin Boller graduates from Iowa City High School – enrolls at UI as music major. (2), (3), (4), (5)
• 1969. Olive Alice (Hulme) Boller dies in Iowa City, Iowa. (2), (3)
• 1969. Ron Gonder begins his long career as Sports Director at WMT-Radio in Cedar Rapids.
• 1969. Lolly Parker Eggers comes in staff at the Iowa City Public Library. Over the next twenty-five years she becomes a true mover-n-shaker for women’s rights across Johnson County.
• 1969. One year after her death, the Iowa Art Guild publishes Sketches of Historic Iowa – a collection of art from Harriet P. Macy – an art teacher from Des Moines – 38 years – who taught the beauty of diversity to all of her students.

• 1970. Iowa City opens a new elementary school, naming it after long-time civil rights activist and community leader, Helen Lemme.
• 1972. Iowa Stadium is renamed honoring Iowa’s only Heisman Trophy winner, Nile Kinnick. (2), (3)
• 1972. Campus tension over the Vietnam War increases. The student-led Homecoming Committee announces that traditional Homecoming will be renamed Old Capitol Week.
• 1972. Meredith Willson comes to Iowa City for the Hancher Auditorium debut performances of The Music Man. Marty Boller was a senior in the Hawkeye Marching Band and was part of this memorable performance. (2), (3), (4)
• 1972. Sandy & Marty both present senior recitals in order to graduate with music degrees from college.
• 1973. The Chemistry Laboratory/Pharmacy Building (East Hall Annex) is razed.
• 1973. Dr. Christine Grant becomes the University of Iowa’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women – a national pioneer and influential voice for gender equity in collegiate athletics.
• 1973. The Iowa City Press Citizen begins publishing articles on Johnson County/Iowa City history by Irving Weber. (2)
• 1973. The Hawkeye Alumni Marching Band is formed under the direction of Tom Davis.
• 1973. In preparation of America’s Bicentennial the USPS issues a series of stamps saluting Postal Service Workers.
• 1975. Martin Jay Boller marries Sandra Elaine Unrue in Skokie, Illinois – move to Buffalo Grove to continue their music teaching jobs in School District #21 – Wheeling, Illinois. (2)
• 1974. The Rock Island Railroad has its final passenger run into Iowa City. (2)
• 1975. The original Dental Building (1894) is razed, clearing the Pentacrest of any remaining Red Brick Campus (1895) buildings.
• 1975. Iowa’s March King, Karl L. King, becomes the seventh recipient of the coveted Iowa Award. (2)
• 1975. Davenport High School graphics art teacher, John Holladay, sells his first sports art poster at an art show in Omaha.
• 1976. Old Capitol celebrates the U.S. Bicentennial by re-opening on July 4 after several years of complete restoration. (2)
• 1976. USPS celebrates America’s Bicentennial by issuing a sheet of stamps featuring all 50 State Flags.
• 1976. Irving Weber publishes his first book with the first article filled with fun facts about Old Capitol.
• 1976. George Boller: A Hawkeye Football Nut, by sports writer Al Grady, is published in the Iowa City Press Citizen (Homecoming Oct 1976). (2), (3)
• 1977. After a 43-year drought, Iowa and Iowa State renew their football series in Iowa City. Hawks win – 12-10!
• 1977. The University of Iowa purchases the Hutchinson-Kuhl home on Park Road – making it the new home of the U of I Press.
• 1978. James Alan McPherson becomes the first African-American to win a Pulitzer Prize for fiction with his collection of essays, “Elbow Room.”
• 1978. W.P. Kinsella, a Canadian studying at UI Writers Workshop, writes a 20-page story called “Shoeless Joe Jackson Comes to Iowa.” (2), (3), (4)
• 1978. Marty & Sandy Boller’s oldest son, David Boller, is born in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The Bollers move to Evanston to start new job – managing Logos Book Store. (2), (3)
• 1979. The Iowa City Press Citizen publishes Irving Weber’s “Chronology – 1841-1979: 25 people who left their stamp on Iowa City.”
• 1979. UI Football Coach Hayden Fry introduces the Tiger Hawk logo.

• 1980. Marty & Sandy Boller’s oldest daughter, Debbie Boller, is born in Evanston, Illinois. (2), (3)
• 1981. Under the leadership of Lolly Parker Eggers, the Iowa City Public Library opens its new downtown facility. (2)
• 1982. USPS issues one of its most popular commemorative series – a 50-stamp sheet featuring the official state bird and flower of each state. The Iowa stamp features the Eastern Goldfinch and the Wild Rose.
• 1983. Following in the footsteps of Ding Darling and Frank Miller, Brian Duffy becomes the political cartoonist for The Des Moines Register. (2)
• 1983. Marty & Sandy Boller’s youngest daughter, Jenny Boller, is born in Evanston, Illinois. (2), (3)
• 1984. Composer Meredith Willson dies, and is buried in Mason City, his hometown. (2)
• 1985 #1-ranked Iowa vs. #2-ranked Michigan play in Kinnick Stadium. Hawks win 12-10!
• 1986. Marty & Sandy Boller’s youngest son, John Boller, is born in Evanston, Illinois. (2), (3)
• 1986. George Boller retires from his University of Iowa job – The Daily Iowan/UI Printing Service 1965-1986 and Dixie Boller retires from Mid-Prairie Schools. (2)
• 1987. Marty & Sandy Boller and family relocate from Evanston, Illinois to Iowa – Iowa City (1987), Cedar Rapids (1990). (2), (3)
• 1988. Meredith Willson is posthumously awarded The Iowa Award, the highest honor given to an Iowa citizen. (2)
• 1988. USPS celebrates Iowa Territory Sesquicentennial with a postcard issued in Burlington.
• 1988. USPS celebrates Iowa-born William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. A second commemorative is released in 1994 as well.
• 1988. Edith Mae (Edie) Agee Boyer dies at age 94 in Trenton, Missouri.
• 1989. Herb Gartzke donates the 1881 bell from Iowa City’s old City Hall prior to the city’s 150th anniversary.
• 1989. Iowa City celebrates its Sesquicentennial (1839-1989) on May 4th-5th-6th. (2)
• 1989. W.P. Kinsella’s story, “Shoeless Joe Jackson Comes to Iowa” is released as “Field of Dreams” blockbuster movie. (2)

• 1990. Marty Boller’s Calvin Hall artwork is displayed in Iowa City Press Citizen and Cedar Rapids Gazette (October). (2)
• 1991. Dixie Lee (Boyer) Boller dies in Iowa City, Iowa, buried in North Hill Cemetery in Wayland. (2)
• 1991. Marty Boller begins full-time pastoral ministry position with River of Life Ministries in Cedar Rapids, Iowa – leads to work with March for Jesus (1994-1997) and Promise Keepers (1995-2000).
• 1991. Union Park – the green space just south of IMU – is renamed for Philip G. Hubbard – SUI’s first African-American professor. (2)
• 1992. Women’s suffrage leader Carrie C. Catt is honored with the highest award for an Iowa citizen, The Iowa Award.
• 1993. The National Postal Museum opens in Washington DC – USPS celebrates with a set of 4 postage stamps.
• 1993. Iowa City historian Margaret N. Keyes releases her updated version of Nineteenth Century Home Architecture in Iowa City – classic study in historic Iowa City.
• 1994. George Edward Boller dies in Iowa City, Iowa, buried in North Hill Cemetery in Wayland.
• 1996. USPS celebrates Iowa Statehood Sesquicentennial with a commemorative stamp issued in Dubuque. (2)
• 1996. USPS celebrates Iowan Glenn Miller and his contribution to Big Band Music.
• 1996. Simon Estes is given The Iowa Award, the highest honor given to an Iowa citizen. (2)
• 1997. Iowa City’s famous historian, Irving Weber, dies. (2)
• 1998. Marty & Sandy Boller and their family plant Father’s House Vineyard Church in Cedar Rapids.
• 1998. USPS celebrates Iowa artist, Grant Wood, & his most famous work American Gothic. (2)
• 1998. USPS celebrates Ioway chief, White Cloud.
• 1999. USPS celebrates Iowa’s very own Music Man, Meredith Willson with a commemorative stamp honoring Broadway composers. (2)

• 2000. USPS celebrates the 29-star US flag (1847) after Iowa became a state (1846).
• 2000. Des Moines Register political cartoonist Brian Duffy releases his Iowa Millennium Poster – featuring 58 Iowa-related icons.
• 2001. An accidental construction fire destroys Old Capitol’s dome, bell, and cupola. Closes the building for five years for major repairs and renovations. (2), (3)
• 2001. Tower Place & Parking opens in Iowa City featuring the 1881 clockworks from Iowa City’s old City Hall. (2)
• 2002. A new bell is installed in Old Capitol, replacing the one (1864) destroyed in the 2001 fire. (2)
• 2002. George Washington Carver is given The Iowa Award, the highest honor given to a resident of our state. (2)
• 2002. Marty & Sandy Boller pay first visit to Marty’s ggg grandfather, George F. Boller’s grave site in Goshen, Indiana.
• 2003. The new golden dome is lifted onto Old Capitol, replacing the one destroyed by fire (2001). (2)
• 2004. New owners of the old Englert home on Dubuque Street in Iowa City uncover 1877 P.T. Barnum circus posters, used in a very creative way.
• 2004. USPS celebrates Iowa-born movie star, John Wayne.
• 2004. The US Mint releases a state quarter featuring the artwork of Grant Wood – Arbor Day.
• 2005. USPS celebrates President Ronald Reagan, who began his career in show business by becoming the radio voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 1930’s on WHO-Radio in Des Moines. A second & third commemorative is released in 2006 & 2011.
• 2006. On April 13, a F-2 tornado hits Iowa City leaving $15 million in damage including the loss of one of the city’s oldest churches.
• 2006. After five years of renovations and repairs following 2001 fire, Old Capitol reopens to the public. (2)
• 2006. ‘Rose’ – The Steinway Concert Grand Piano, made in 1876, finds a new musical home in the Senate Chamber of Old Capitol in Iowa City.
• 2006. Marty Boller writes original version of Our Boller Story – proposing a Boller 200th Anniversary in America celebration in 2016 – the website version of OBS debuts in 2010. (2), (3)
• 2007. Renée Sueppel and her team begin The Women at Iowa Project – produced by the Council on the Status of Women and the University of Iowa cable network (UITV) and designed to tell the stories of recent Iowa women graduates. (2)
• 2009. The Shattering Silence monument is dedicated in Des Moines, honoring Ralph Montgomery and the Iowa Supreme Court on the 170th anniversary of their landmark decision setting Montgomery free from his Missouri-based slave owner.

• 2010. Arcadia Books publishes Iowa City historian Bob Hibbs’ classic book of Iowa City-themed penny postcards. (2)
• 2012. University of Iowa celebrates its 100th Homecoming Weekend (1912-2012).
• 2012. The Meskwaki Language Preservation (MLP) Program begins teaching the native language to a new generation.
• 2014. Iowa City celebrates its 175th Anniversary.
• 2015. Marty & Sandy Boller begin new teaching assignment with Sustainable Faith, traveling extensively around the Midwest. (2)
• 2015. Iowa City historian/artist Marybeth Slonneger releases her fourth book on Iowa City history: Finials: A View of Downtown Iowa City.
• 2015. Marty Boller posts revised version of Our Boller Family family tree website.
• 2016. The Bollers celebrate 200 years in America by replacing George F. Boller’s broken gravestone in Goshen, Indiana.
• 2016. The Bollers celebrate 200 years in America by taking an October Road Trip, which includes stops in Iowa City, Mt. Pleasant, Wayland, and Kalona.
• 2017. The Stead Family Children’s Hospital opens adjacent to Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
• 2018. Bethel AME Church in Iowa City celebrates its 150th anniversary. (2)
• 2019. The Muscatine Board of Education makes good on its discriminatory past, naming their new middle school for Susan Clark – the 12-year-old black student it banned from attending public schools in 1868.

• 2020. After 30 years of ministry work in Cedar Rapids, Marty & Sandy Boller relocate back home to Iowa City – This website, Our Iowa Heritage, “officially” begins. (2), (3), (4)
• 2021. The Bollers celebrate May 11 – George Boller’s 100th Birthday.
• 2021. Johnson County officially makes African-American Lulu M. Johnson, Iowa Ph.D., its county namesake. (2)
• 2021. The Iowa City Public Library celebrates its 125th Anniversary.
• 2021. Iowa City honors Simon Estes with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
• 2021. Iowa City honors the thirty-year veteran of the Iowa Writers Workshop, James Alan McPherson, by renaming a city park in his memory. (2), (3)
• 2021. Major League Baseball comes to the “Field of Dreams” movie set in Dyersville, Iowa. (2)
• 2021. The football field in Kinnick Stadium is named for All-American Duke Slater, star of Iowa’s 1921 national championship team, and one of the first African-Americans given this high award.
• 2021. Iowa City, Johnson County, and UI all take positive steps in breaking down long-standing walls of racial discrimination, honoring James Alan McPherson, Lulu Johnson, and Duke Slater respectively, while electors welcome both a Sudanese and a Vietnamese woman to public office.
• 2021. #3 Iowa vs. #4 Penn State is the first ‘Top-Five-Ranked’ game in Kinnick Stadium since 1985. Hawks win a thriller 23-20!
• 2021. Marty Boller publishes The Christmas Eve Santa Came to Iowa – a Christmastime short story that features artwork from the ‘Father of Political Cartoons’ – Thomas Nast.
• 2021. Iowans celebrate our Quartoseptcentennial (175th) Anniversary of Statehood – December 28, 1846. (2)
• 2022. The University of Iowa celebrates its Quartoseptcentennial (175th) Anniversary – February 25, 1847.
• 2022. Meredith Willson’s Music Man enjoys yet another Broadway revival – this time featuring Hugh Jackman & Sutton Foster. Bollers joined with 28 others from Mason City, Iowa to celebrate the moment.
• 2022. A complete regilding of Old Capitol’s golden dome is completed – just in time to celebrate the University’s 175th birthday.
• 2022. A two-year, seven-million dollar renovation project begins on the Johnson County Court House.
• 2022. Johnson County’s newest historic site – Remembrance Park – is dedicated at the intersection of Sand Road & Napoleon Street in Iowa City. (2), (3)
• 2022. The Johnson County Boller Family gathers in Kalona for a Third Cousin Reunion.
• 2022. Nearly 200 years after the 1838 treaty that forced the tribe from the state, the Ioway once again have land in Iowa – seven acres in Johnson County.
• 2023. The Bollers celebrate January 1 – Dixie L. Boyer Boller’s 100th birthday.
• 2023. Our Iowa Heritage posts Iowa City’s Top 50 Influencers – 1832-1939. (2)
• 2023. The City of Coralville celebrates its sesquicentennial. (2)
• 2023. The term “woke” is being used as a slam against those who, like Lincoln in 1860, are standing for social justice and racial equality. Do we understand the historical significance?
• 2023. Iowa-PBS broadcasts Meredith Willson – America’s Music Man – which includes a rare photograph from Our Iowa Heritage collection. (2), (3)
• 2023. Iowa-PBS airs the informative documentary on Nile Kinnick – Iowa’s only Heisman Trophy winner.
• 2023. PBS-Wisconsin broadcasts John McGivern’s Main Streets – Iowa City – which features a series of Did You Know? trivia questions from Our Iowa Heritage collection.
• 2023. In April, Iowa Women’s Basketball Star Caitlin Clark stopped by the Coralville Community Food Pantry to help raise funds for our Coralville neighbors in need.
• 2025. A Marty & Sandy Boller 50th Wedding Anniversary Bash is planned for July 12. (2)

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Click here for a complete INDEX of Our Iowa Heritage stories…

For more info on any of these stories found in Our Iowa Heritage, please drop me an email.