Muscatine County, Iowa

COMMUNITY NEWS


Source of article: "Muscatine Journal", Muscatine, Iowa May 21, 1932, Page 7
Submitted by Norma Rogers

MUSCATINE, THEN NEWBURG BUT LATER BLOOMINGTON,
SURVEYED JUST 87 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH

The current month marks the eighty-seventh anniversary of the platting of what today is Muscatine. It was in May, 1936, that a little town named Newburg was surveyed. The name probably had its inception from the fact that it was a " new burg." However, it soon discarded that monicker and adopted that of Bloomington, retaining the latter name for about 12 years, when it was in turn changed to Muscatine.

Delving into the history of the time, it is interesting to note that virtually the entire town of Newburg could have been bought for $3,000 in 1836. According to an excerpt of a local history the original proprietors, John Vanatta and Captain William Clark, began disposing of their interests in the town. One sixth interest, it is recorded, was purchased by Dr. John H. Foster and Suel Foster for $500. Other purchasers at that time were Col. T.M. Isett, Adam Funck, Henry Funck, Robert C. Kinney, William St. John, G.H. Hight, B.White, William Devon and J.W. Neally.

Today the city of Muscatine has a total assessed valuation of $13,757,000.

The first public land sales took place at Burlington in November, 1838. The county reserved the quarter section on which the court house stands and paid the government $1.25 per acre for it. When this occurred there were probably about 50 buildings and 200 people upon that part of the town plat included in the county's quarter section.

The town of Bloomington was again surveyed in 1840. It was originally incorporated in 1839.

The first election in the village was at the home of R. C. Kinney exactly 84 years ago, taking place May 6, 1839. Joseph Williams was chosen president. There were 40 votes cast.

He had two rivals, Arthur Washburn and Lyman C. Hine. However, Williams was given 38 votes.The first meeting of the officials was held May 10 of that year.

The first city ordinance passed related to the sale of liquors. Saloons in those days were politely termed groceries and licenses were at a stupendous sum of $25 per year.

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