Benjamin Shambaugh – Some Interesting Facts – Volume I.

On another post, we give you the full story of Iowa City’s noted historian – Benjamin F. Shambaugh. So here, on this page and on two others (see links below), we’d like to share some of his writings that focused on Iowa City’s first year of existence – 1839. From its inception by declaration of law in January 1839 to the sale of the first plots of land in August & October 1839, here’s a brief overview of Iowa’s new capital city – from the pen of Shambaugh…

In 1921, the Old Settlers’ Association of Johnson County took a number of Benjamin Shambaugh’s writings and combined them into one 19-page article – **Some Interesting Facts About The Early History Of Iowa City And The Old Capitol Building** – publishing it in their 1921-22 Yearbook. Here on this page and two others, we offer you the full article – complied by subject and with some pictures and commentary along the way. Here are links to the other two pages: Volume II, and Volume III.

It all begins in January 1839 – Territorial Governor Robert Lucas – who took office in August 1838 – signs into law the declaration that a new capital city will be developed for the Territory of Iowa. That city, by law – built in Johnson County – will be known as Iowa City. Read more here.

On May 1, 1839, Commissioner Chauncey Swan and a few others gathered at John Gilbert’s Trading Post in Napoleon – Johnson County’s county seat at the time – to begin the hunt for the perfect location for Iowa City. Yet, nothing really good comes easy, right? Here, Shambaugh tells the story. You can read more here.

Iowa City has her “official” birthday on May 4, 1839, when Commissioner Chauncey Swan and his traveling party place a wooden stake in the ground – the spot where Iowa’s new capitol building will be built. Read more here.

Once the decision was made on location, the word spread quickly, and by June 1839, there were new settlers already coming into Johnson County, looking to secure their future by picking a piece of land, building a ‘claim cabin‘, and waiting for the Territory to announce when land purchases could begin.

Matthew Ten Eyck, George T. Andrews, and Asaph Allen were just a few of those “early bird” pioneers who placed their stake on some Johnson County land. Read more about the early claim cabins of Johnson County.

In order to sell land to investors, the new city of Iowa City had to be surveyed, platted and mapped. On June 27, 1839 that process began, and by, July 4th, the results were in – and the very first map of Iowa City was now printed and available to see. Read more here.

So, let the map distribution begin…

Iowa City has had its share of city-wide parties over the years. But the very first one happened on July 4, 1839. You can read more party details here, but for now, Shambaugh tells us more…

Following the big July 4th celebration, those who “saw” the amazing potential of Iowa City decided to “cash in” on the coming flood of pioneers. On July 25, 1839, Governor Lucas, announced two sale dates when the public could begin purchasing land in the newly-surveyed Iowa City: the third Monday in August and the first Monday in October. This announcement stirred excitement across Iowa Territory and back East as well. One Johnson County pioneer – the former sea captain Frederick M. (F.M.) Irish (above), who came here in 1838 – funded the construction of Lean Back Hall – a much-needed tavern/hotel for those new-comers who would be arriving in August & October…

*Read more about The Lean Back Hall and other early Iowa City hotels here.*

Do you remember the name – Matthew Ten Eyck? He and his family were “early birds” who staked out a claim early in the summer of 1839. As Shambaugh mentioned earlier, Chauncey Swan took Ten Eyck’s first claim cabin – located on Clinton Street – to use as his headquarters, and in return, Swan gave Ten Eyck the go-ahead to start construction on a permanent log cabin – a two-story job – on a choice lot on the corner of Dubuque Street & Iowa Avenue…

*Read more about Matthew Ten Eyck and the early log cabins of Iowa City.*

Here, Shambaugh quotes yet another key Iowa City historian – Cyrus Sanders – who tells us about four other “early birds” who began construction on projects prior to the August 19th land sale. Apparently, two of them – Joseph Coe and Walter Butler (red x’s below) – were able to secure their land – locking in a low price prior to the sale, but two others – Wesley Jones and John Willison (black x’s below) – had to wait and buy their land along with the rest of the bidders. Read more about Walter Butler and his purchase of Lot 5 in Block 80.

And so, finally, on August 19th – the third Monday in August – the sale of land “officially” started in Iowa City…

According to the reports, one of the eight lots in Block 86 (see map above) was the first one sold – going to John Trent – who worked for the American Fur Company – for $100. It sounds like F.M. Irish’s Lean Back Hall successfully served as the host for all “refreshment” breaks – which I’m sure included a few barrels of whiskey! Read more about these early land sales here.

Well, that takes us up to the fall of 1839. Now, let’s click over to Volume II – where Benjamin F. Shambaugh tells us about many of the first businesses of Iowa City…