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.
