Des Moines County Genealogical Society

"Discover, Preserve and share your family's history"

Frequently Asked Questions

 

WHO:

·                      Burlington was founded by people from the eastern part of the United States who came to this new territory for a variety of reasons.   It was named for Burlington, Vermont, the origin of one of the early settlers.

·                      Burlington became home to many immigrants who were seeking opportunity in the young nation.  Major immigrant groups in Burlington included German, Irish, and Swedish folks.

·                      Many of Burlington’s early residents were located here for a limited time.  Then they and/or their families moved even further to the west.  Burlington residents are known to have gone to Colorado, Oregon, Utah, and California as they sought even greater adventure and/or opportunity.

WHERE:

·                      In the past, Burlington (which never moved) was part of the Michigan Territory, the Wisconsin Territory, and the Iowa Territory.  It has been located in the State of Iowa since 1846.

·                      Burlington is on the west bank of the Mississippi River in southeast Iowa between the mouths of the Iowa and Skunk Rivers

·                      Des Moines (the City) is located in Polk County and has never been a part of Des Moines County.  (Iowa is funny that way;   the city of Keokuk is not in Keokuk County, Iowa City is not in Iowa County, Wapello is not in Wapello County – well, you get the idea.)

WHEN: 

·                      Burlington was first populated by white settlers around 1833 when the native residents were being moved to the west. 

·                      Burlington served as the capitol of the Wisconsin Territory from 1836-1838 and as the capitol of the Iowa Territory from 1838- 1842.

 

WHAT:

·                      Burlington, Iowa, was the home of the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy (CB&Q) Railroad. Now the Burlington / Santa Fe

·                      Burlington was a major steamboat stop for people seeking to move west.

·                      Burlington was a major manufacturing center – particularly of wood products – utilizing lumber that had been “rafted” down the Mississippi River from Wisconsin and Minnesota.  Manufacturers names include Leopold Desk Company, Chittenden & Eastman Furniture (Square Brand), Northwestern Cabinet Company, and Nurre Mirror.