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History of Keokuk

Keokuk, Iowa: A Historical Timeline

Early Settlement and Founding (1820–1840s)

  • 1820: Dr. Samuel C. Muir, a former U.S. Army surgeon, becomes the first permanent white settler in what would become Keokuk. Muir, who had married a Native American woman, built a cabin near the Mississippi River, marking the beginnings of a non-native presence in the region. His presence foreshadowed the influx of settlers that would soon follow.
  • 1824: The Half-Breed Tract is established, setting aside land for descendants of Native American and European ancestry. This unique land designation created legal complexities for generations, as land ownership within the tract was disputed for decades due to unclear inheritance laws.
  • 1827: John Jacob Astor’s American Fur Company sets up a trading post at the future site of Keokuk. The fur trade was a dominant economic driver in the early 19th century, with Keokuk becoming a key hub due to its strategic location along the Mississippi River.
  • 1829: Settlers formally name the village “Keokuk” in honor of the Sauk Chief Keokuk. The chief was known for his diplomacy with the U.S. government and his efforts to keep his people at peace with white settlers, distinguishing himself from other leaders of his time.
  • 1832: The Black Hawk War ends, leading to an influx of settlers. After the war, Native American land cessions accelerated, opening Iowa’s fertile lands for farming and settlement. Keokuk’s location made it an attractive site for commerce and trade.
  • 1837: Dr. Isaac Galland surveys and plats the city; the first public sale of town lots takes place. This marked an official step toward transforming Keokuk from a scattered settlement into a planned town, with formalized streets and property divisions.
  • 1839: The first hotel, Keokuk House, is built. As the town grew, businesses and accommodations developed to cater to river travelers and prospective settlers. This hotel was among the earliest signs of a thriving local economy.
  • 1841: Keokuk’s first post office is established. Postal services were essential for communication in the 19th century, allowing settlers to stay connected with the eastern United States and supporting the town’s growing economy.
  • 1847: Keokuk is incorporated as a town. With incorporation came structured governance, allowing local leaders to plan for infrastructure, public safety, and the management of growing populations.
  • 1848: The first city election is held, and Keokuk is re-incorporated under state law. The development of municipal government enabled the community to establish laws and services that would shape its future development.

Mid-19th Century Growth (1850s–1860s)

  • 1850: The College of Physicians and Surgeons, the first medical school in Iowa, is founded in Keokuk. Medical education was crucial at a time when frontier towns lacked adequate healthcare, and this institution played a role in training early doctors in the region.
  • 1853: Keokuk serves as an outfitting site for Mormon pioneers traveling west. Thousands of Latter-day Saints passed through Keokuk, preparing for their long and arduous journey to Utah. The town became a major gathering point during their westward migration.
  • 1855: Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) works in Keokuk as a typesetter for his brother’s newspaper. Twain’s experiences in Keokuk influenced his later writings, particularly his observations of river life and small-town America.
  • 1857: Construction begins on the Des Moines Valley Railroad, linking Keokuk to the state capital. Railroads were transformative for economic growth, connecting Keokuk’s businesses to larger markets and encouraging further population growth.
  • 1861: The Civil War begins, and Keokuk becomes a key training site for Iowa’s volunteer infantry. The city established military camps to train soldiers, and its hospitals later cared for wounded troops, reinforcing its role in wartime logistics.
  • 1862: Keokuk establishes five Union Army hospitals and a national cemetery for fallen soldiers. The hospitals treated many casualties from the war’s major battles, and the cemetery remains a solemn tribute to those who lost their lives.
  • 1865: By the war’s end, over 80,000 Union troops have passed through Keokuk. The city’s contributions to the war effort, including medical aid and troop training, earned it national recognition.
  • 1867: The Des Moines Valley Railroad reaches Des Moines, boosting trade and transportation. This connection allowed for efficient movement of goods, helping local businesses thrive.
  • 1869: The first railroad bridge across the Mississippi at Keokuk is completed. This engineering feat facilitated faster and more reliable transport across the river, integrating Keokuk into the national rail network.

Late 19th Century Developments (1870s–1900)

  • 1875: The Keokuk Westerns baseball team plays the first professional baseball game in Iowa. This game reflected the growing popularity of baseball in America and Keokuk’s participation in the early history of the sport.
  • 1877: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes the Des Moines Rapids Canal, improving river navigation. Before the canal, the Des Moines Rapids had been a major obstacle to river traffic, limiting commerce.
  • 1883: Chief Keokuk’s remains are reinterred in Keokuk with a monument in Rand Park. This monument serves as a reminder of the town’s namesake and its deep Native American history.
  • 1891: The Keokuk Union Depot opens, serving multiple railroads. Rail depots were critical for connecting Midwestern towns to national trade routes, and Keokuk was no exception.
  • 1890s: Keokuk’s population grows, and new industries emerge. Manufacturing, river trade, and the railroad industry contributed to the city’s economic expansion.

20th Century Transformations (1900–1950s)

  • 1910: Construction begins on the Keokuk hydroelectric dam (Lock and Dam No. 19). The project was an engineering marvel, bringing power and industrial growth to the region.
  • 1913: The dam is completed, making it the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world at the time. This allowed Keokuk to attract businesses and supply electricity to surrounding areas.
  • 1915: The double-deck Keokuk–Hamilton Bridge opens, accommodating trains and automobiles. This infrastructure improvement enhanced connectivity and trade.
  • 1934: Keokuk records Iowa’s highest-ever temperature at 118°F. The record-breaking heat highlighted the extreme climate variations experienced in the region.
  • 1930s–1940s: The Mark Twain Zephyr train begins service to Keokuk, and new industries emerge. The city continued modernizing its transportation and industrial sectors.
  • 1957: The navigation lock at Lock 19 is expanded, improving barge traffic. This modernization ensured Keokuk remained an important shipping hub on the Mississippi River.

Late 20th Century and Modern Keokuk (1960s–Present)

  • 1961: The George M. Verity steamboat museum is established. This floating museum preserves the history of steamboat navigation on the Mississippi.
  • 1985: The new Keokuk–Hamilton Bridge opens to traffic. This modern infrastructure project further streamlined transportation between Iowa and Illinois.
  • 1993 & 2008: Major floods impact Keokuk, demonstrating the continued challenge of managing the Mississippi’s waters.
  • 2020s: Keokuk continues preserving its historic landmarks while adapting to modern economic challenges. The city remains proud of its heritage and its role as Iowa’s “Gate City.”