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A
Glimpse of Iowa in 1846
By John B.
Newhall
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Pages 90-99
Page 90.
Postmaster-
Lawyers.-
| J.G. Wickersham, Norton Munger, L. Johnson, C.E Stone,
W.F. Telford, J.M. Young. |
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Physicians.-
| W.S. Burdsal, Collins, O'Hara & Sullivan. |
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Hotels.-
| Rapids Hotel, Wm.
Coleman; Mansion House, J. Welch; American House, A.C. Meeker. |
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Religious Denominations-
| Methodist, Presbyterian
and Roman Catholics. |
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Keokuk likewise contains an extensive Steam Flouring Mill; 1 Steam Saw Mill; 3
Blacksmith Shops; 3 Tailors; 2 Bakeries; 2 Saddlery Shops, several Groceries,
and one of the most extensive Coopering establishments in the upper country,
owned and conducted by R.B. Hughes & Co.
STATISTICS.
There have been about fifty new buildings
erected during the last year, and many are now in progress of erection. The
amount of Wheat shipped from Keokuk, before the close of navigation, (November,
1845) was 40,000 bushels, besides a considerable amount of Rye, Barley,
Flaxseed, & c. During the "packing" season, of last year, the extensive
Coopering establishment of Hughes & Co. turned out 1900 Pork Barrels, 300 Lard
Tierces, 400 Beef Tierces, in addition to a large number of Flour Barrels,
shipped to St. Louis during the spring and summer.
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IOWA CITY
The site of this city was selected by a board
of commissioners in 1839, as the permanent Capitol of Iowa. The situation is one
of great beauty, in the midst of all that wild and enchanting scenery so
peculiar to a prairie country. Its incipient growth was rapid and almost
unparalleled in the history of towns. In eleven months from the period the first
settlement was made (then an Indian hunting ground) Iowa City contained a
population of about 700 souls, 3 hotels, half dozen stores, several churches,
and artizans of almost every description.
Page
91.
The
State House, or Capitol, is situated on a commanding eminence, overlooking the
whole city, and when completed will be decidedly the most spacious and
magnificent edifice in the Territory. The design is a chaste specimen of Grecian
and Doric architecture, surmounted by a dome, supported by 22 Corinthian
columns.
The Territorial Legislature already convenes in this edifice; it likewise
contains the Territorial Library, and the office of the Secretary, Treasurer,
&c. of the Territory, although the interior is not yet finished. Iowa City is 75
miles from Burlington, 86 from Dubuque, 30 miles from Bloomington, and 80 miles
east of the Raccoon Fork of the Des Moines.
IOWA CITY DIRECTORY- 1846
Mercantile Establishments-
| Dry Goods, Groceries,
&c.- John Powell, E.C. Lyon, C.H. Berryhill, L. Holt, Theodore Sanxay, M.
Murray, Geo. Andrews. |
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Grocery and Provision Dealers.-
| F.P. Brassart, C.H.
Buck, M.M. Montgomery, N.C. Boye. |
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Coffee Houses-
| Charles Frink, R.C.
Keathy. |
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Churches-
| Old School Presbyterian,
Pastor, Rev. M. Hummer |
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| New School Presbyterian,
Pastor, Rev. W.W. Woods |
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| Episcopal Methodist |
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| Protestant, Pastor, Rev.
Mr. Pierson. |
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| Roman Catholic, Pastor,
Rev. Mr. Godfrey. |
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| Baptists, Pastor, Rev.
Mr. Smith |
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| Christian Church,
Pastor, Rev. J. Clark. |
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Physicians-
| S.M. Ballard, Jesse
Bowen, Henry Murray, Ezra Bliss, S.R. Crummey, N.G. Sales, W.W. Woods, Wm.
McComrack. |
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Lawyers-
| Curtis Bates, J.P.
Carleton, G. Folsom, M. Reno, Hugh D. Downey, Eastin Morris, W. Penn
Clark, D.A. Shaffer, F.H. Lee, Geo. S. Hampton, P.H. Patterson, P.D.
Turner. |
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Institutions-
| Mechanics' Mutual Aid
Association |
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| Fire Company (No. 1) |
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| Iowa City (Masonic)
Lodge No. 4 |
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| Iowa City Royal Arch
Chapter No. 2 |
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Schools-
| Iowa City University;
Iowa City College; Female Academy; Mrs. Craig, Preceptress. |
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Printing Offices-
| Iowa Capital Reporter,
published on Wednesdays, by A.H. Palmer |
| Iowa City Standard,
published on Wednesdays by Foster and Morris |
| Watchman (Religious)
Rev. C.R. Fisk, Editor. |
Mills-
| Iowa City Mill Company,
grinding and sawing; likewise another for grinding and carding. |
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Postmaster-
The situation of Iowa City, and surrounding
landscape, will remind the tourist of the city of St. Omir, in France. Perhaps
no two places in the world, are encompassed with natural scenery more strikingly
similar. The writer speaks as an eye witness. Time will not obliterate his
impressions, when gazing, by the soft sunlight of France, upon the spires and
domes of the latter city, surrounded by "tower, moat, and battlement." |
