Our Iowa Heritage: An Introduction. We might suggest you start here! Here’s how & why I got started collecting stamps, coins, and other Iowa memorabilia.
The 1860’s in Iowa City. In the 1860’s, photography has now become common-place. Thanks to Iowa City’s masterful artist – Isaac A. Wetherby – here’s some wonderful Iowa City shots taken during this turbulent decade.
1860 – Let’s Visit The State Fair! Six months before the outbreak of the Civil War, Iowa City played host to the Seventh Iowa State Far. While the autumn weather was a bit wet, still the crowds came – with over 8,000 attending The Trial of Speed – featuring Iowa’s three fastest stallions. Here’s a day-by-day review of all the activities from this exciting four-day event in October 1860.
The Bridges of Iowa City. The Iowa River played a major role in why Iowa City is where it is today. In the earliest years, crossing the river was no easy thing to accomplish. Here’s the story of how Iowa City became a City of Bridges – all beginning with the Burlington Street Bridge in 1860. FYI: This page was nominated as Page of the Year by The BridgeHunter’s Chronicles in 2021!
Samuel J. Kirkwood – Iowa’s Civil War Governor. After the Lincoln-Douglass debates changed American politics, gubernatorial candidates Samuel Kirkwood and Augustus Dodge crisscrossed Iowa debating the pros and cons of slavery. In 1860, Iowans chose rightly, sending Kirkwood to Des Moines, opening the door for a humble miller from Coralville to become Iowa’s famous Civil War Governor.
Iowa, Slavery, & The Underground Railroad. From the moment Iowa was first proposed to become the 29th State in the Union, the pressure was on the good people of The Hawkeye State to decide if we would be a northern state, siding with those against slavery, or join with our neighbors to the south, Missouri, which was a slave state. Iowa overwhelming supported freedom for all, thus becoming an important stop in The Underground Railroad.
Iowa & The Civil War – 1861-1865. As a ‘free state’ Iowans played a major role in the Civil War. Under the leadership of Iowa’s Civil War Governor – Samuel Kirkwood – Iowa offered 48 infantry regiments, 9 cavalry regiments and 4 batteries of artillery to the Union troops. The Hawkeye State also furnished one black regiment and one thousand replacement troops for the war effort between 1861 and 1865.
1862 – Seeking Iowa Civil War Promotions. Between 1861 and 1865, Iowa – with a total population of 674,913 in 1860 – provided 76,534 men to fight with the Union Army. In fact, Iowa contributed more troops per capita to the Union Army than any other state. Here’s the 1862 story of four brave Iowa soldiers who gave their all for the war effort, and in the end, were rewarded with promotions that led to major leadership roles later in life.
1863 – A Proclamation Of Thanksgiving Across America. On October 20, 1863 – in the midst of the great Civil War – President Abraham Lincoln issued a powerful statement from the White House – calling all Americans to stop on the last Thursday in November, be thankful, and remember the great abundance of “gracious gifts of the Most High God.” A good reminder for all of us, yet today.
Meet Four Iowa City Civil War Veterans. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, a unique group of four young Iowa Citians enlisted for the Union Army: two Pritchard brothers – James E. & John N., and two good friends of the Pritchards – John C. Rutan and William W. Kirkwood. Fortunately, we have three of their postal covers and two personal letters written during the war years – letters that offer us amazing insight into both their personal lives and turbulent times in which they lived.
Mattie & Me – Iowa City’s A.B. Cree. When it comes to Civil War letters, there’s no one like Iowa City’s Alfred B. Cree and his collection of letters to “the one I love best” – Mrs. A.B. Cree – or Mattie – for short. From 1862-1865, Captain Cree faithfully wrote back home as his regiment trekked across the south from Texas to New Orleans, from Tennessee to North Carolina and Virginia, finally mustering out in Savannah, Georgia in July 1865.
The Great American Postage Stamp Exchange Of 1861. After the Civil War broke out in April 1861, the U.S. Postal Service was concerned that rebels in the Confederate States would sell their U.S. postage stamps back to northerners – thus providing funding for the South. By mid-year, a whole new set of U.S. stamps was issued with strict instructions for postmasters in the North to make the transition from old to new within a six-day window. Obviously, with communication and transportation issues slowing things down, this Great American Postage Stamp Exchange of 1861 had a few hiccups along the way!
Iowa City’s Civil War Postmaster – J.R. Hartsock. During the Civil War, moving mail quickly across the nation was a high priority. Here in Iowa City, we had a dedicated postmaster who took this job seriously, and in the process, won over the hearts of Iowa Citians. Upon his retirement in 1872, the new building/hotel on the southeast corner of Clinton Street & Iowa Avenue was named after him.
Major Ira J. Alder – The Hundred-Day Civil War Veteran. In 1864, the North desperately needed more man-power. President Lincoln approved a recruitment idea that added over 80,000 men to the war effort, asking each man for a 100-day commitment. SUI student, Ira Alder was one of those young men who served his country and then returned to Iowa City, being called The Major until his death in 1922.
Henry County’s Newspaperman, Statesman & Civil War Hero. Here’s a salute to Samuel McFarland, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa’s Civil War hero who also played a big part in the history of Iowa City as it transitioned from State Capitol to Home of the University of Iowa.
Gustavus D. Hinrichs – SUI’s Own Dr. Derecho. In 1863, this Danish-born chemist – fluent in seven languages – arrived in Iowa City and over the next 23 years made SUI’s science and chemistry department into a world-renowned program. A brilliant mind, Hinrichs researched and published in a wide variety of sciences, including physics, astronomy, geology, and meteorology, yet it was his stormy personality that makes his story so memorable.
John P. Irish – Iowa City’s Black Knight. For nearly 20 years (1864-1882) – as the owner/editor of The State Press in Iowa City – John P. Irish was the voice of the Democratic Party across Iowa. Known for his harsh words and sharp wit, he battled Republicans at every turn, and in the process, became a highly supportive friend to SUI – helping fund both the School of Law (1865) and the School of Medicine (1870).
A Rocky Mountain Mayor with Strong Iowa Roots. Here’s yet another story of one Iowa farm boy who risked it all in the Civil War and then took advantage of free land in Kansas, eventually becoming the mayor of Great Bend, Kansas and then Colorado Springs!
All Aboard Iowa RPO’s. As railroads became the fastest and most efficient way to move both freight and people, so the United States Postal System wisely used the rails to get mail across the country. RPO’s (Railway Postal Offices) were the mobile offices that made it all happen.
St. Agatha’s of Iowa City – Breaking The Glass Ceiling. In 1861, Mary Haberstroh donated one of her late husband’s prime properties, The Park House, to the Sisters of Charity (BVM), with the condition of it being transformed into a cutting-edge educational haven for women. Over the next fifty years (1862-1911), St. Agatha’s School/Seminary joined the State University of Iowa (SUI) in making Iowa City into one of the most opportune places in the nation when it came to attaining equality in education for women.
Celebrating Freedom – Juneteenth 1865. On June 19, 1865, the last group of African Americans living in Galveston Bay, Texas received the word that the Civil War was over and that they were now free Americans! Juneteenth has been celebrated as an American Independence Day since 1866, and today, it has finally become a National Holiday. Freedom for All!
The Old Settlers Of Johnson County – 1866-1925. In the early 1860’s, the pioneers of Johnson County who had lived here for at least 20 years formed Iowa’s very first Old Settlers’ Association. From their very first “festival” in 1866 to their big reunions of the 1920’s, the OSA left a rich history for us via their annual yearbooks and those two beautiful log cabins built for future generations in City Park.
Johnson County’s Own – Coralville. First established around Iowa’s largest grist mill and dam – located on the limestone shores of the Iowa River – Coralville took its name from that vast collection of fossilized coral found within that same limestone. When a famed zoologist from Harvard University visited in 1864, he pointed out the treasure beneath their feet, and by 1866, the village, once known as Clarksville, adopted its new name.
Iowa City’s Normal Academy Of Music. Determined to re-make our city from being the former state capital into an educational mecca for the state, Iowa City welcomes yet another training academy to the growing collection of schools. On August 6, 1867, The Iowa State Normal Academy Of Music opens under the direction of Professors H.S. & J.E. Perkins of Boston, welcoming over 100 students into its classes held in Old Capitol.
Wm. G. Hammond – Let There Be Law In Iowa City! In 1863, a young lawyer from Anamosa, Iowa started a new law practice in Des Moines. Two years later, he was chosen by two Iowa Supreme Court Justices to head up the first law school west of the Mississippi River. In 1868, with the help of forward-thinking educators in Iowa City, the law school relocated, becoming the SUI Law Department – with William G. Hammond serving as its first Chancellor. Under his leadership, the SUI School of Law led the nation in equal rights – graduating a woman, an African-American, and a foreign student from Burma in the 1870’s.
Clark + Clark + Cole = Equality in Education. Did you know that the Iowa Supreme Court outlawed segregated schools in 1868 – eighty-six years before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Brown v. Board of Education in 1954? Thanks to Muscatine’s Alexander Clark and his 12-year-old daughter Susan, working alongside Judge Chester C. Cole, the color barrier was broken, placing the Hawkeye State on the cutting edge of the civil rights movement.
1869 – Mark Twain Comes To Iowa City. Just as the 1860’s are coming to a close, the American humorist – Mark Twain – comes to Iowa City to present his latest lecture – The American Vandal Abroad. Metropolitan Hall was packed, but apparently Twain’s presentation was a “humbug” as reviewed by a local newspaper. But the Vandal didn’t react too well to his poor showing, making a bigger scene the next morning at his hotel. Come read the full story.
Meet Iowa City’s Mayors – 1869-1887. After fourteen years as an independent community with no ties to Territorial or State government, in 1853, the people of Iowa City voted to officially become an incorporated city. With that decision, came city government and our first city mayor and city council. Join us – over six pages – as we take a deeper look at the 60+ men and women who have led our city over the last 170+ years. Here’s Volume II (1869-1887).