Iowaville, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Iowaville, Iowa
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Map of Iowa c.1845 Carey and Hart
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Van Buren |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 319 |
Iowaville was once a small town in Iowa, United States. It was located near the Des Moines River, close to where the towns of Eldon and Selma are today. Established around 1838, Iowaville is now mostly farmland. However, it remains an important place for archaeologists who study Iowa's past. It's often called a "ghost town" because it no longer exists as a populated place.
What Was Iowaville?
Iowaville was a small community that grew up on the lowlands next to the Des Moines River. It was located near the border between Davis and Van Buren counties. The town was founded around 1838. It was built near the site of even older trading posts, which were places where people exchanged goods.
A Place of History
The land where Iowaville was built has a long and interesting history. For many years, it was used by the Ioway Indians. People from the Ioway tribe often visited Fort Madison, which was an early U.S. Army post. This fort was active from 1808 to 1813 in the Upper Mississippi area.
Around the 1810s or early 1820s, the Iowaville area faced challenges. It may have been attacked by other tribes, like the Sauk under leaders such as Pashepaho and Black Hawk. There is also a possibility that the Dakota tribe attacked the area. Another idea is that the Ioway people might have left the area because of a widespread illness.
Life in Iowaville
A famous Sauk chief named Keokuk lived near Iowaville for a period of time. Later, a trader and settler named John Jordan started working in the area in 1837. He was the one who officially planned out the town of Iowaville in 1838.
For a while, Iowaville was a busy and successful town. At its busiest, about 200 people lived there. A post office was opened in Iowaville on January 11, 1840. This allowed people to send and receive mail.
Why Did Iowaville Disappear?
Iowaville faced a major challenge during the Flood of 1851. This flood caused a lot of damage to the town. After this, the town began to decline. Its population quickly dropped.
The main reason for Iowaville's decline was the arrival of the railroad. When the railroad was built, it went through the nearby town of Eldon instead of Iowaville. This meant that businesses and people moved to Eldon, which had better transportation. The post office in Iowaville eventually closed on September 26, 1870.
Even though the town is gone, the area remains historically important. The famous Native American leader Black Hawk spent his final years living in this region. Today, Iowaville is mostly farmland, but it's still a significant site for understanding Iowa's past.
