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.
Johnson County ‘Firsts’. 1838 was Johnson County’s first full year of existence, and over the next decade, it grew from less than 50 people to a population of nearly 5,000. During that time, there were a lot of historic “firsts” – from “first” settlers, to “first” structures, to “first” celebrations. Join us as we re-visit this intriguing “firsts” list – first published in the 1924-25 Old Settlers’ Association (OSA) Yearbook.
The Claim Association – Johnson County’s Welcome Wagon. When it was announced that Johnson County would soon become the host for Iowa’s new capital city, land investors and others began flooding into the area. And since the U.S. government had not yet completed the surveying that was required in order to “sell” land, it became necessary for the local citizens to police those “squatters” who would attempt to acquire land without going through the right channels. Thus, the Claim Association of Johnson County was born in March 1839.
The Log Cabins Of Johnson County. In the earliest days of Johnson County, building a log cabin – while not an easy endeavor – was the only way a new settler could have a roof over their head. Join us for an extensive look at our county’s earliest log cabins – from the Trading Posts on the Iowa River to Iowa City’s first hotel/tavern. As you might guess, none are still visible today, but thanks to the Old Settlers’ Association (1887-1918), we have two beautiful replicas to enjoy in City Park.
Philip Clark – Johnson County’s Irish Settler. In 1836, two brave souls from Indiana met up with John Gilbert at Fort Armstrong on the Mississippi River. Within a year, Philip Clark and Eli Myers had moved their families to what would eventually become Johnson County, Iowa. Here’s the amazing story of one man’s transition from being an Irishman from Indiana into one of our area’s most famous farmers.
Courting Johnson County. In December 1837, Johnson County – Iowa District – Wisconsin Territory came into existence. Within a year, Iowa became a territory and the first county court house was built – the first of four over the last 180+ years. Follow the story with us, as we move from Napoleon to Iowa City, ending up today with a whole new Johnson namesake.
The Johnson County Business Meeting That Changed Iowa History. With the creation of Johnson County, John Gilbert went to work, calling for a “business meeting” where a diverse team of six men and one woman met to draft a strategic plan that would be presented to the Iowa Territorial legislature, requesting major funding for roads, bridges, and a post office! The plan worked and over the next year, big preparations were made to make Johnson County the home of Iowa’s new capital city.
The U.S. Post Office Comes to Johnson County. One of the most important aspects of life for early settlers in Iowa was the receiving and sending of letters. Postal records indicate that Iowa City established its first “officially recognized” post office in 1841. But other records show that Johnson County had postal service prior to that time (1839), even though that service was sketchy at best.
1840 – The Road From Bloomington To Iowa City. When Napoleon was Johnson County’s only pioneer settlement, a roughly-cut trail made its way eastward through the Iowa prairie to Bloomington – on the Mississippi River. But now, in 1840, with Iowa City becoming the new Territorial capital, a new and improved road was needed to connect these two growing communities. Here’s a rare look at the early stages of development on one of Johnson County’s oldest roads.
Coralville – Taming The Iowa River. Between 1841 and 1844, there were three dams and grist mills built in Johnson County. The third – built by the Iowa City Manufacturing Company – proved to be the most successful and was built on the historic limestone shores of the Iowa River where Coralville stands today. Take a big step back in time with us to 1777 B.C. and meet Coralville’s first pioneers – native people living alongside the Iowa River who evolved into the role of Iowa’s first farmers long before the white man ever came to America.
1844 – A View From The Capitol’s Cupola. In the winter of 1844, Project Manager Chauncey Swan escorted a few of his friends up the wooden stairs to the unfinished cupola of the new capitol building. A detailed report of what the team saw that day – perched high above 1844 Iowa City – makes for one fascinating read. Come join the tour and see Johnson County like you’ve never seen it before!
Arriving In Johnson County In 1846. Nine-year-old Susannah A. Yarborough (Irish) arrived in Johnson County with her family in November 1846 – just one month before Iowa became a state. Read her descriptive first remembrances of Iowa City – from the rolling prairie to the corn meal and wild turkeys that kept the family alive that first cold winter in Iowa.
Johnson County’s Own – Washington Township. Just as Iowa was becoming a state, a small group of farming pioneers from the Casselman River Valley of Maryland & Pennsylvania headed west to Johnson County to start what would eventually become Iowa’s largest Amish-Mennonite community. Here’s the story of how Washington Township got started – and it includes my ggg grand aunt Susanna Miller!
The Boller Farms of Johnson County – 1853. As Iowa became a state in 1846, 40-acre parcels were being sold at low prices to adventurous young men and women back east who wanted to start a new life. The Boller family bought eight parcels (320 acres) of rich farmland in the southwest corner of Johnson County, Iowa, and by 1853 had begun a new adventure on land that is still being farmed by Bollers today.
Johnson County’s Own – Amish, Iowa. Between 1850 and 1880, the little Amish/Mennonite community of Amish, or as it is also called – Joetown – was the center of commerce for Washington Township in Johnson County. But, when the railroad came in – 5 miles south of town – Kalona took off, leaving Amish in the dust. Come read the story of C.C. Yoder – proprietor of Amish’s Dry Goods Store during the latter part of the 19th century.
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.
Johnson County’s Own – The Wandering Doc Comes Home To Solon. Dr. Otto Heinsius came to New York City from Prussia in 1845. Over the next 18 years, the good doctor and his growing family had short stints in Albany, NY, Scranton, PA, and Tuscarawas, OH. But in 1863, the Heinsius finally found a place they loved – Iowa. After eight years in Iowa City, the booming village of Solon needed a doctor and a druggist – so it was one last move for Dr. Otto – The Wanderer who finally found a home!
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.
Greetings From Clarksville Or Coralville? The village on the Iowa River that was formed around the Territory’s largest grist mill and dam became known to many as Clarksville when Ezekiel Clark and his brother-in-law, Samuel J. Kirkwood, took over the mill in the 1850’s. In 1866, the townspeople renamed it Coralville, opened its first post office in 1869, and incorporated the village in 1873. Yet despite all that, many locals continued to call it Clarksville even at the turn of the century. Come read the full story.
Cyrus Sanders – Setting Johnson County History Straight. Cyrus Sanders came to Johnson County in 1839, just as Iowa City was being formed. He not only wrote a daily journal about his earliest days here, but in the 1880’s, The Iowa City Daily Republican invited him to write a regular column on Johnson County history. In 1882, a bit of under-handed shannanigans literally stole away Cyrus Sanders’ material, publishing it under other people’s names! But today, we’re giving honor to where honor is due.
ICBT’s Sketch Of Johnson County – 1880. Iowa City is growing like a weed – attracting new business & industry thanks to the dedicated work of the Iowa City Board of Trade. In the fall of 1880, ICBT publishes a 28-page booklet that offers an expansive overview of Iowa City and Johnson County. Over the years, this publication has become a treasure trove for historians, and now you can peruse it – in full – right here.
– Page Two – The Iowa City Business Directory.
– Page Three – Iowa City’s Manufacturers.
– Pages Four/Five/Six – Doing Business In Iowa City.
– Page Seven – Iowa City’s Churches & Civic Organizations.
– Page Eight – Iowa City’s Educational Opportunities.
The Boller Children & Johnson County Schools. During the second half of the nineteenth century, most schools in Iowa were one-room schoolhouses. Here’s a turn-of-the-century Boller story that’s connected to School #7 (Prairie Dale) in Johnson County, Iowa.
1901 – Opening Johnson County’s New Court House. It’s Saturday – June 8th, 1901 in Iowa City, Iowa. The city is full of excitement – for today is the big dedication ceremony for the new Johnson County Court House. According to the local newspapers at the time – this is one of the largest celebrations in Iowa City in years. Come read all about it.
Johnson County’s New Namesake – What a Lulu! A graduate of SUI – BA in 1929 and a Masters in History (1930) – Johnson went on to distinguish herself as the second African-American woman in the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. in History, and the first to receive a Doctorate of any kind in Iowa! In June 2021, Johnson County, Iowa did something that rarely happens – they officially changed their eponyn, removing a racist slave-holding southerner in favor of this amazing African-American Iowa farm girl who spent her life teaching us things we all need to know.
Johnson County Historical Resources. Over the last one-hundred and fifty years, there have been local historians who have painstakingly laid out the stories of our county, leaving us a treasure trove of facts and figures, names and places. Allow me here to introduce you to nine key historic resources, written from 1868 to the present, with on-line links included so you can easily access them as well.
Johnson County Remembrance Markers. Over the last 175+ years, the good people of Johnson County, Iowa have established many remembrance “stones” – memorials placed here and there with the hope that when you and I see them, we will stop and remember the person, event, or story that lies behind the monument we’re looking at. In this post, we give you a quick look at twelve such examples, ranging from 1837 to today.
The Lost Towns, Villages & Post Offices Of Johnson County. Over the last 180+ years, there have been at least 58 towns, villages and post offices that have completely disappeared from the map of Johnson County. Here, we take a brief look at each of these “ghost” locations scattered across 19 of the county’s 21 townships. Come pick a favorite. Might it be Shoo Fly, Wad Town, Snook’s Corner – or just maybe…Big Bottom and/or Buttsville?
Johnson County Historical Society (JCHS). The Johnson County Historical Society was organized in 1967 as the Mormon Trek Memorial Foundation and its purpose was to commemorate the Mormon Handcart Expeditions. The Foundation resolved to create a local history museum, and to reflect this new purpose, the name was changed to the Johnson County Historical Society (JCHS). In 2021, JCHS moved to it’s new location in the Iowa River Landing, to the Xtream Arena, a highly accessible venue for concerts, family shows, and special events.