City history
Discover the history of Iowa City, from its origins as a territorial capital to its status as a global center of literature.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Named after the Iowa River"
No specific indigenous name for the settlement site is reliably documented in historical records; the city was formally established as Iowa City in 1839.
Named for the Iowa River
The river's name is an anglicized reference to the Ioway people who once inhabited the region.
Chapter two
The adoption of standard time by railroad companies helped unify timekeeping across the region, replacing local solar time.
The implementation of the Uniform Time Act standardized the use of daylight saving time throughout the United States.
Chapter three
Following the formal establishment of the Iowa Territory, Iowa City was designated as the official capital and political center.
The University of Iowa was founded, establishing the city as a prominent center for higher education and research.
The capital status was transferred from Iowa City to Des Moines, ending its era as the primary state political hub.
The city was recognized globally as a UNESCO City of Literature for its vibrant and diverse writing community.