Iowa District facts for kids

Map showing the Iowa District as part of the Michigan Territory.

The Iowa District was a special area of land in North America. It was located west of the Mississippi River and was claimed by the United States. Think of it like a large region that was getting ready to become a state.

From June 28, 1834, to July 4, 1838, the Iowa District was part of the Michigan Territory. Later, it became part of the Wisconsin Territory. This district was much larger than the state of Iowa is today. It also included parts of what are now Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

What Was the Iowa District?

The Iowa District was a large piece of land. It was located in the central part of North America. The United States claimed this land in the early 1800s. It was west of the important Mississippi River.

This area was not yet a state. Instead, it was a "district" within a larger territory. This meant it was managed by the government of that territory.

How the District Was Organized

In September 1834, leaders decided to divide the Iowa District. They split it into two main parts. These parts were called counties.

• A border line was drawn straight west. This line started from the lower end of Rock Island in the Mississippi River.
• The land north of this line was named Dubuque County. This area started just south of where Davenport is today.
• All the land south of this line was named Des Moines County.

This division helped manage the growing population. It also prepared the area for future statehood.

Becoming the Iowa Territory

The Iowa District did not stay part of the Wisconsin Territory forever. On July 4, 1838, a big change happened. The Wisconsin Territory was made smaller. At that time, the entire Iowa District became its own new area. It was officially named the Iowa Territory. This was an important step. It meant the area was closer to becoming a state.