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Iowa Investigative Report

Iowa Research Home

Research Process

Research Topics

Research Rubric

Iowa trivia Quizzes

Research Topic - Pioneers and Explorers

Who were the explorers, men and women, who opened up Iowa to settlement? That is the topic of this module called Pioneers. Here you have a chance to investigate the first settlers and explorers. How the land was opened to settlement and the ways these individuals and families went about the task of making Iowa their home.

You might wish to focus on the people or you might like to focus on the technologies of the 19th century. Maybe you are interested in the stories of your ancestors who came in the 19th century to Iowa and made it their home. This could be a genealogy project on your own family. Maybe you would like to focus on early inventions and occupations in the new territory. Another approach could be a look at the interaction of the new settlers with the native people's still living on the land.

Review the Links and print materials and choose a topic or activity to investigate in depth. Wagons Ho!

Links

Early history of the State - begins with Joliet and Marquette, then moves on to other important visitors.

Early history of the state with information about the Native Americans and the fist explorers

Early History, especially more information on Joliet and Marquette

EXPLORERS

Lewis and Clark explored the borders of Iowa, the following link is for the Lewis and Clark Trail in Nebraska and Iowa.



Keelboat model and drawing -

Zebulon Pike was one of the first explorers of Iowa.

Julien Dubuque was probably the first resident white man in Iowa. Learn about him and his mines.


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 Fort Madison - here you can investigate the role of one of Iowa's first forts.

Fort Atkinson - one of Iowa's first forts

Other Iowa Forts

Mormon Pioneer Trail - The Mormons traveled through Iowa on their way to Salt Lake City, Ut. This site give information on the trail.

Amana Colonies - the True Inspirationists settled in Iowa for religious freedom. Learn about their colony here.

Living History Farms attempts to recreate Iowa agriculture at different times. Learn about farming in past eras by visiting these sites.

Laura Engels Wilder spent a year of her life living in Iowa in the Burr Oak area.

Iowa agricultural pioneers

Pioneer homes

Pioneer shelter

 Fr Samuel Mazzuchelli,O.P. was one of the first Catholic Missionaries in Iowa.

Pioneer field trips - this link suggests some places to visit to find out more about our pioneer heritage.

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Iowa History CD Roms

available in our computer center and other libraries

The first CD in this list contains the text of books, magazines and booklets on Iowa and its history. To use this CD load it into a computer with Adobe Reader installed. Click on the Mac Begin.pdf icon. When the program opens, click the continue button and then you are at the welcome page with the main menu at the left of the page. It would be good to go to the Instructions the first time you are using the CD, so you can learn how to navigate it.

Iowa History - Treasures from the Archives Vol.2, O.J. Fargo, Green Valley Area Education Agency, 2000

The second CD contains 7000 Iowa related images. Please note the limitations on the use of these images. The images may be perused with the search engine on the CD.

Iowa History - Treasures from the Archives Vol.4 Picturing Iowa, O.J. Fargo, Green Valley Area Education Agency, 2001

The third CD in this list contains the text of Diaries and Letters, Books, Journal Articles, Military Records, Miscellaneous and a Database on Iowa and its Civil War history. To use this CD load it into a computer with Adobe Reader installed. Click on the Mac Begin.pdf icon. When the program opens, click the continue button and then you are at the welcome page with the main menu at the left of the page. It would be good to go to the Instructions the first time you are using the CD, so you can learn how to navigate it. If you need to use the Database, check with the Computer tech person on duty in the lab.

Civil War and Iowa - Greyhounds and Hawkeyes, O.J. Fargo, Green Valley Area Education Agency, 2000

The fourth CD contains Iowa and Civil war related images. Please note the limitations on the use of these images. The images may be perused with the search engine on the CD.

Civil War Pictures, O.J. Fargo, Green Valley Area Education Agency 14, 2001
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Print Materials in the Regina Media Center

Andreas, A.T., Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875, Iowa City, Iowa: State Historical Society of Iowa, 1970

Chamberlain, Izanna L. and Sherinian, Mary Chamberlain, Prairie Memories: an 1891 Iowa Album in Painting and Verse, 1st ed. Iowa City, Iowa: Rudi Pub, 1991

Fargo, O.J., editor, A History of Iowa Pioneers, Creston, Iowa, Green Valley AEA, 1983

Fargo, O.J., editor, A History of Iowa Pioneer Farming, Creston, Iowa, Green Valley AEA, 1983

Galland, Isaac, Iowa Emmigrant: Containing a Map and General Description of Iowa Territory, Iowa City, 1950?

Hoffman, M.M. Antique Dubuque:, Dubuque, Iowa:Telegraph Herald Press, 1930

Lokken, Roscoe L. Iowa Public Land Disposal, Iowa City, Iowa: State Historical Society of Iowa,1942

MacBride, Thomas Huston, In Cabins and Sod Houses,Iowa City, Iowa: State Historical Society of Iowa, 1928

McGreal, Sister mary Nona,O.P.,Samuel Mazzuchelli,O.P.: A Kaleidoscope of Scenes from his Life, Sinsinawa Dominicans

Nye, Russel G.Pioneering on Iowa Prairies, 1961

Parker, George Frederick, Iowa Pioneer Foundations,Iowa City, Iowa: State Historical Society of Iowa, 1940

Pratt, LeRoy G. Discovering Historic Iowa, American revolution Bicentennial ed., Des Moines, Iowa: Iowa Dept. of Public Instruction, 1973

Riley, Glenda, Frontierswomen, the Iowa Experience, 1st ed., Ames,Iowa, Iowa State University Press, 1981

Shambaugh, Bertha Maude, (Horack), Amana that Was and that Is,Iowa City, Iowa: State Historical Society of Iowa,1932

Tips for Stagecoach Travelers, Cedar Falls, Iowa ; University of Northern Iowa, 19..?

Zug, John, The Amanas Yesterday, Iowa City, Iowa, Pennfield Press, 1975

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 Questions about the assignments can be addressed to:, June 6, 2002