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Florence-Council On The Iowa Site
Council on the Iowa Site at Florence.jpg
Florence-Council On The Iowa Site is located in Iowa
Florence-Council On The Iowa Site
Location in Iowa
Florence-Council On The Iowa Site is located in the United States
Florence-Council On The Iowa Site
Location in the United States
Location At the site of the now-gone village of Florence
Nearest city Oakville, Iowa
NRHP reference No. 78001243
Added to NRHP December 27, 1978

The Florence-Council On The Iowa Site is a special historical place. It was once a Native American village and later a small town. This site is located near Oakville, Iowa, in Louisa County. It has been recognized for its importance since 1978. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the Florence-Council Site?

This historic site holds many stories from the past. It was first a village for the Sauk people. Later, a small town called Florence grew here. Today, neither the village nor the town exists. But the land itself tells us about its history.

Home to Native American Leaders

Long ago, this area was a busy village for the Sauk people. It was home to important leaders like Black Hawk and Keokuk. These leaders had important discussions here. They talked about whether to try and get their tribal lands back in Illinois.

A Place of Important Debates

Black Hawk and Keokuk had different ideas. Black Hawk believed the Sauk should fight to reclaim their lands. Keokuk thought it was better to try and live peacefully. Their debates at this site were very important for the Sauk people's future.

The Black Hawk War Connection

This site played a key role in the Black Hawk War of 1832. It was here that Black Hawk's followers gathered. They prepared to cross into Illinois. Their goal was to take back their ancestral lands. This action led to the war.

After the Conflict

After the Black Hawk War ended, a treaty was signed. This area became known as "Keokuk's Principal Village." This name honored Keokuk's leadership. It also marked the end of a difficult time.

The Short-Lived Town of Florence

After the Native Americans moved from the area in 1836, a new settlement began. It was named Florence. This town existed for only about ten years. It was a small but active place.

Life in Florence

Even though Florence was not officially planned, it had some important services. There was a tavern where people could gather. At least one store sold goods. A ferry service helped people cross the Iowa River.

The Post Office

Florence even had its own post office. It opened on July 5, 1839. John Deihl, a local merchant, was the postmaster. The post office helped connect Florence to other places. However, it closed down on February 11, 1846. This shows how short-lived the town was.

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