Buena Vista, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Buena Vista, Iowa
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|---|---|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Clinton County |
| Elevation | 201 m (660 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
52729
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| Area code(s) | 563 |
Buena Vista is a small, unincorporated community in Clinton County, Iowa. It is located on the north bank of the Wapsipinicon River. This community is about 7 miles south of Calamus and two miles east of Dixon. For many years, from 1849 to 1914, Buena Vista had its own post office.
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History of Buena Vista
Buena Vista has an interesting history, mainly centered around a busy river crossing. Long ago, this area was an important spot for travelers.
Early Trails and Ferries
Back in 1839, there was a path called Boone's Trail. A man named Boone used this trail to move cattle from Missouri to Galena. He would cross the Wapsipinicon River (often called the "Wapsie") at a specific spot.
The first person to run a ferry here was John Shook. A ferry is a boat that carries people and vehicles across a river. Shook used a small flat-boat that could hold one team of horses and was moved by a rope.
Naming the Ferry and Post Office
Later, R. I. Jencks took over the ferry. He named it Buena Vista. This name came from the Battle of Buena Vista, a famous battle that had recently happened. Jencks also helped get a post office established here, which was also named Buena Vista. Even when the post office moved later, it kept the same name.
Changing Hands of the Ferry
The ferry business changed owners many times over the years:
- In 1849, Jencks sold the ferry to George Atherton.
- A few weeks later, Dr. Amos Witter bought it. He was traveling to California but decided to stay in Buena Vista.
- Before 1854, Dr. Witter sold the ferry to a man named Edgar.
- J. E. McArthur then ran the ferry until 1858.
- James Merritt bought it in 1858, and Jerome Dutton took over in 1859.
End of the Ferry Era
Jerome Dutton continued to operate the ferry until 1865. At that time, the land on the Clinton County side of the river was sold. Since Dutton still owned the land on the other side, the ferry service stopped.
The Buena Vista ferry had been very profitable for many years. It was especially busy in 1859 during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush. This was when many people traveled west hoping to find gold. However, a new bridge, called the Rothstein Bridge, was built nearby. This bridge made the ferry less valuable, eventually leading to its closure.
Another ferry also operated in the township for many years, run by Lyman Alger. Even the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad temporarily used a ferry here. This was to transfer passengers on the stage-route until the railroad could build its own bridge across the river.
