Immigration in and out of Iowa - 19th Century Immigration and movement of Native Americans and the impact of cultures over time

By JFonse9

  • Growth of Immigration

    Immigrants from Britain and Ireland began to travel to and settle in Iowa. Source: 19th Century Immigration to Iowa | Teaching Iowa History. (2018). Teaching Iowa History. https://teachingiowahistory.org/historical-essays/19th-century-immigration-to-iowa

  • Native American Tribal Migration to Iowa

    Sauk and Mesquake tribes migrated from Wisconsin to Iowa and Illinois, developing settlements along the Mississippi River, Potawatomi Tribe also resettled in Southwest Iowa. Source: University Libraries | The University of Iowa. (2022). Iowa University Libraries. https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/exhibits/previous/native/

  • US Army begins to resettle Native American tribes

    Winnebago tribe was moved and resettled in Northeastern Iowa by the US Army. Source:
    University Libraries | The University of Iowa. (2022). Iowa University Libraries. https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/exhibits/previous/native/

  • Irish Immigration

    The 1840's saw an increase in Irish immigration in Iowa, due to food shortages in their homeland. Farming opportunities and the strong community within the Catholic Church in Iowa brought many to settle in Iowa. Source: 19th Century Immigration to Iowa | Teaching Iowa History. (2018). Teaching Iowa History. https://teachingiowahistory.org/historical-essays/19th-century-immigration-to-iowa

  • Dutch settlements in Pella, Iowa

    Dutch immigrants settled in Pella, Iowa. This settlement has had a great impact on the area that can still be seen today with unique architectural designs, local foods and events such as the tulip festival, including their cultural singing and dancing styles. Source: 19th Century Immigration to Iowa | Teaching Iowa History. (2018). Teaching Iowa History. https://teachingiowahistory.org/historical-essays/19th-century-immigration-to-iowa

  • Arrival of '48'ers

    The arrival of a group called the '48'ers, a group of craftsmen from Germany, saw in increase in the products available in Iowa. This group also established clubs promoting physical activity including dance, boxing, and singing, keeping their own traditions going in their new land. Source: 19th Century Immigration to Iowa | Teaching Iowa History. (2018). Teaching Iowa History. https://teachingiowahistory.org/historical-essays/19th-century-immigration-to-iowa

  • US Army continued relocating Native American tribed

    By the 1850's, all Native American tribes had been relocated from Iowa to settlements and reservations in Oklahoma and Kansas.

  • Increase in European Immigration

    Between 1850 and 1860, Iowa saw a large increase in immigration, notably from Germany with many fleeing military rule.

    The population boomed from 20969 immigrants to 324,069 by 1890. Print items were created in different languages, religious practices became more diverse, different foods were produced. Source: 19th Century Immigration to Iowa | Teaching Iowa History. (2018). Teaching Iowa History. https://teachingiowahistory.org/historical-essays/19th-century-immigration-to-iowa

  • Return of Native American tribes to Iowa

    Members of the Mesquakie tribes that had previously been driven out of Iowa, had returned and bought land in Tama County. The tribe tried to maintain their cultural practices of song, dance, poetry, and art, with much of these artifacts viewable on displays across Iowa today. Source: University Libraries | The University of Iowa. (2022). Iowa University Libraries. https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/exhibits/previous/native/

  • Growth in Immigration from Europe

    The 1860's to the 1890's saw a significant increase in immigration from Norway and Sweden with many relocating for farming and mining opportunities. Danish settlements also grew, bringing their dancing and theatrical performance groups also. Source: 19th Century Immigration to Iowa | Teaching Iowa History. (2018). Teaching Iowa History. https://teachingiowahistory.org/historical-essays/19th-century-immigration-to-iowa

  • Czech immigration increased

    The late 19th century saw an increase in Czech immigrants, many settling in the Cedar Rapids area. Today, museums are open sharing in the history with cultural artifacts and crafts, and Czech inspired architecture visible throughout the city. Source: 19th Century Immigration to Iowa | Teaching Iowa History. (2018). Teaching Iowa History. https://teachingiowahistory.org/historical-essays/19th-century-immigration-to-iowa

  • Current day

    Iowa is a diverse state, with a rich culture built on the foundations of the history brought to this state by immigrants. Many communities are still maintaining their immigrant heritage, sharing their own cultures, with so many aspects including foods, music, craft, art, language, and communities combining to make the state of Iowa what it is today.