

As the 1930’s came to a close, few people across America knew that their entire world would soon be radically changed. Europe was at war, but most Americans assumed that President Roosevelt would keep the U.S. out of the conflict. My father, George Boller, for example, was a student at SUI in 1938 and 1939, and like most Hawkeyes, he was more concerned about Iowa’s football game against Notre Dame than what Hitler was doing over in Poland.

During the summer of 1939, the good citizens of Iowa City took time out of their summer schedules to celebrate 100 years of existence. And quite the party it was.


(M-0015) The City of Iowa City celebrated its 100th anniversary on July 2-3-4, 1939. This pin was issued to commemorate the occasion. (M-0049) My dad’s Iowa Cowbell was a pretty popular item at Iowa Stadium during the Ironmen/Kinnick era.








During this special centennial year – this Greetings From Iowa City penny postcard was apparently a hard find!




(P-0084) This set of 16 postcards featured Old Capitol on the cover and the Burlington Street bridge on the backside.













(P-0132) (M-0016) (P-0133) (P-0134)







(M-0108) Here’s a look at the University of Iowa campus in the 1930’s. This is an “official” Campus Guide Map published in 1934. Compare this to these Iowa City maps from 1839, 1868 & 1900 (below).






(L-0058) The Old Stone Capitol Remembers – Iowa City Centennial 1839-1939 Souvenir Program.

















Click here to go on to the next section…
Click here for a complete INDEX of Our Iowa Heritage stories…