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.
U.S.S. Iowa – The Navy’s Finest. In 1940, the world was headed for war. In preparation for the battles to come, the Navy ordered a new set of warships (BB-61) that would be the mother of all battleships. On August 24, 1942, the U.S.S. Iowa was commissioned, serving the country faithfully until 1990.
The U.S. Navy Comes To Iowa City – 1942-1944. Not many know that the U.S. Navy came to Iowa City during WWII, working alongside Paul B. Shaw and his esteemed pilot training team at the Iowa City Airport. Over a three-year period (1942-1944), 2,500 pilots were trained here – with many joining the war effort in the Pacific, helping America win the war.
Taking To The Skies – Iowa City 1943. Meet two young men from Michigan – Sterry B. Williams and William G. Parfet. Thanks to a digitized version of a rare Kodak 8mm color movie, we can enjoy a quick trip to Iowa City in July 1943. Williams & Parfet have just completed their 3-month assignment here at the U.S. Navy Pre-Flight School, and this “home movie” gives us a beautiful glimpse of what it was like to be a part of this historic, yet little-known, part of Iowa City & SUI history.
1942 – War Rationing Hits Iowa City. World War II not only interrupted the lives of over 10 million American men who were inducted into the military, it also caused severe shortages of all sorts of things back home: rubber, metal, clothing, gasoline, and maybe the most precious item of all – food. Because of these supply shortages, the U.S. government established a system of rationing that would more fairly distribute foods that were in short supply. Come meet the Boyle’s of Iowa City – a typical American family that learned to work with Ration Books during the War.
‘Greetings From Iowa’ Postcards – One Corny Artist. As WWII was raging, an artistic druggist from Clarion, Iowa produced a line of ‘Greetings From Iowa’ postcards featuring his light-hearted sketches. E.E. Tabor, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, poked fun at the Hawkeye State with these hilarious (and very corny) classics.
George E. Boller & Dixie L. Boyer. Now, it gets personal. My mom and dad met during WWII at a Japanese-American relocation center in Heart Mountain, Wyoming. These two Midwest kids got married in 1945, returned to Iowa, and never looked back. Blessed with three boys – all born in Wayland, Iowa, George & Dixie moved first to Mt. Pleasant, ending up with their happiest years in Iowa City – my dad’s adopted home.
1946 – Iowa Celebrates 100 Years Of Statehood. World War II came to an end in 1945, and in 1946, Iowans celebrated the entire year, remembering the 100th anniversary of Iowa statehood in 1846.
1947 – The SUI Centennial Celebration. The State of Iowa just celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1946. Now, it’s time to celebrate SUI! Created only 59 days after Iowa became a state – February 25, 1847 – the University is now 100 years old. One century in – yet still, only just begun!
William J. Petersen – Iowa’s Steamboat Bill. Raised on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi, this young man from Dubuque went on to become world-renowned as a history professor at SUI (1930-1968) and as the long-time supervisor for the State Historical Society of Iowa (1947-1972). Taking after Samuel Clemens, Petersen became famous because of his writings about life and steamboating on the Father of Waters.
KXIC Radio – Sports & Talk – Two Iowa City Icons. In 1948, Gene Claussen left his job at KMOX in St. Louis to return to Iowa City, where he became the major investor of a new day-time-only radio station – KXIC. A risky endeavor, at best, on June 6, 1948, KXIC-Radio – 800 on the radio dial broadcast its first program, and it’s been on-the-air ever since. While there have been numerous radio personalities who’ve worked at KXIC over the years, there are two names that stand tall above all the others – Sports Editor Gene Claussen and Social Editor Dottie Ray.
Two Iowa City Presidential Whistlestops – 1948 & 1952. The Presidential races of 1948 and 1952 brought the campaigns of President Harry S. Truman (1948) and General Dwight D. Eisenhower (1952) right to the front door of Iowa City. Read these first-hand accounts of two unforgettable Whistlestops that drew huge crowds to the CRI&P Railroad Depot on Wright Street.