Large numbers of Dutch farmers and craftsman searching for religious freedom left Holland for the lush land in central Iowa. Pella was settled by 800 Dutch immigrants. With encouragement from those in Pella more Dutch families immigrated and Orange City was settled in the mid-1800s.
Where did the Scandinavians settle in Iowa?
Scandinavian. The northern Iowa settlements extended from Allamakee and Clayton counties to Winnebago county, and came largely from settlements at Rock County, Wisconsin, Dane County, Wisconsin, and Boone County, Illinois. From the late 1850s through the 1880s, Norwegians pushed to the western portions of the state.
Where did the majority of early settlers in Iowa come from?
The northern Iowa settlements extended from Allamakee and Clayton counties to Winnebago county, and came largely from settlements at Rock County, Wisconsin, Dane County, Wisconsin, and Boone County, Illinois. From the late 1850s through the 1880s, Norwegians pushed to the western portions of the state.
Where can you find Dutch immigrants in the United States?
Luckily, the United States, the land of immigrants, is diverse enough to provide worthy domestic alternatives. One of them is a small town in Iowa where you can get a hearty dose of Dutch culture.
Where did most Czechs in Iowa settle?
Most Czechs in Iowa settled in Cedar Rapids. During the 1850s, Iowa's Czech population became substantial; when the town was reincorporated in 1856, a quarter of its roughly 1600 inhabitants were Czech immigrants.
Where did the Dutch settle in Iowa?
The core of the new Dutch colony, between five and six hundred immigrants, traveled north from St. Louis in the summer of 1847 and settled in Lake Prairie Township.
Why did the Dutch settle in Iowa?
They chose Iowa because the gently sloping prairies reminded them of their homeland. In August of that year the 800 arrived in Marion County, led by Henry Peter Scholte, a minister who had rebelled against the religion of the Dutch government.
Are there a lot of Dutch people in Iowa?
Sioux Center, Iowa is the city with the largest percentage of Dutch in the United States (66% of the total population).
Is there Dutch in Iowa?
Pella Dutch, also known as Iowa Dutch, is a dialect of the Dutch language spoken in Pella, Iowa. It is a subdialect of South Guelderish. Pella Dutch's origins began with the migration of a group of 800 Dutch settlers under the leadership of Dominee (Reverend) H. P. Scholte in 1847.
Who were the first settlers in Iowa?
Most of Iowa's first white settlers came from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia. The great majority of newcomers came in family units. Most families had resided in at least one additional state between the time they left their state of birth and the time they arrived in Iowa.
Is Pella a Dutch name?
What's in a Name: Pella, 'City of Refuge' known for its Dutch traditions. Pella, an idyllic town in Marion County that is home to about 10,000 people, has a rich history of Dutch culture, starting with its settlement in 1847 by 800 Dutch immigrants led by the Rev. Dominie Hendrik “Henry” P.
What is the most Dutch city in America?
Nicknamed “America's Dutch Treasure,” Pella is home to the charming Molengracht plaza, a bustling district complete with a traditional Dutch-style canal; the tallest working grain windmill (at 124 feet) in the country; and an annual spring festival that celebrates tulips and Dutch culture.
Where do most Dutch expats live?
The most popular destination countries of Dutch emigrants have been the same for years: Belgium and Germany head the list, followed by Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Other popular destination countries are France, Australia and Turkey.
Why do the Dutch sweep the streets?
It's a tradition that comes from the Netherlands street cleaning after the long winters. Mayor Nancy DeBoer called for a white glove inspection and then, after the city council made a motion to have the streets cleaned, called upon Town Crier John Karsten to spread the word to have the streets cleaned.
What is Pella Iowa known for?
Pella offers a "touch of Holland" right here in Iowa. Best known for its annual "Tulip Time" celebration, Pella is covered in these cheerful spring flowers during the first week in May. Vermeer Mill, at 724 E 1st Street in Pella, is a working windmill. It's the tallest working mill in the United States.
What is the elevation of Pella IA?
890′Pella / Elevation
What is Pella Iowa known for?
Pella offers a "touch of Holland" right here in Iowa. Best known for its annual "Tulip Time" celebration, Pella is covered in these cheerful spring flowers during the first week in May. Vermeer Mill, at 724 E 1st Street in Pella, is a working windmill. It's the tallest working mill in the United States.
What is the elevation of Pella IA?
890′Pella / Elevation
What was the Dutch colony in Iowa?
Iowa’s Dutch colonies have their roots in the Netherlands ’ Calvinist reformation. At the dawn of the 19 th century, the United Kingdom of the Netherlands was comprised of two sections: the northern section–what we consider the Netherlands today–was predominantly Calvinist Protestant. The southern section, later Belgium, was primarily Catholic. A separation from Belgium occurred in 1839, leaving eleven northern provinces as the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Where did the Scholte colony go?
Scholte and a committee tasked with locating the colony site traveled to the federal land office at Fairfield, Iowa. Their goal was to find a site that combined rich, farmable land with ample wooded timbers, all in sufficient acreage for colonization. In Marion County they found what they wanted. Flanked by the wooded lands of the Skunk River to the north and the Des Moines River to the south, the gently rolling tallgrass prairie of northeast Marion County was ideal.
Why did the town of Pella become a Dutch town?
The town of Pella didn’t simply adopt a Dutch aesthetic to stand out. It’s the result of early Dutch settlement, and a concerted effort by the descendants of those settlers to preserve their cultural heritage.
Where to go for tulip beds in Iowa?
When locals want to enjoy the outdoors, they don’t roll around in the Sunken Gardens’ tulip beds — they go to Lake Red Rock . Iowa’s largest lake, Lake Red Rock is just 10 minutes from Pella, and has an abundance of outdoor adventure on its 35,000 acres of land.
What is the name of the square in Amsterdam that is a replica of a Dutch square?
At the center of it all is Molengracht Plaza, a replica of an authentic Dutch square, complete with a canal and an Amsterdam-like promenade. Photo: Jaarsma Bakery /Facebook. Pella doesn’t just look Dutch, it also tastes Dutch.
Why did the Dutch come to Iowa?
Many did not like the new leadership of the Netherlands under William I. Economic conditions were poor in their homeland, worsened by a potato crop failure There was also a desire to obtain religious freedom, after having been treated poorly on account of religion in their home country. It is likely the latter motivation that led them to name their first Iowan colony Pella, in reference to a religious place of refuge. Once initially established, letters from early Dutch immigrants were published and circulated in the Netherlands, increasing subsequent immigration. A fine example of this is an 1848 piece by Scholte himself, Eene Stem uit Pelle (A Voice from Pella). Additional Dutch immigration continued to Pella, and in the following years a daughter colony was founded at Orange City.
Which Native American tribes gave up their land in Iowa?
Western Iowa was ceded by a group of tribes including the Missouri, Omaha, and Oto in 1830. The Ioway ceded the last of their Iowa lands in 1838.
What tribes lived in Iowa in 1804?
By 1804, there were a number of Native American groups in Iowa: the Sauk (Sac) and Meskwaki (Fox) on the eastern edge of Iowa along the Mississippi; the Ioway along the bank of the Des Moines River; the Oto, Missouri, and Omaha along the Missouri River, and the Sioux in the Northern and Western parts of the State. Additionally, earlier records indicate the presence of the Illinois in Iowa, though they were nearly gone by the time of the 1804 observations. The total number of these groups in Iowa in 1804 is estimated to be less than 15,000. While these groups generally came initially for food, some of them (e.g., Illinois, Sauk, Meskwaki) immigrated as a result of warfare with other tribes or the French. The early and mid-19th century saw the movement of additional groups of Native Americans into Iowa, such as the Potawatomi and Winnebago, followed by the emigration from Iowa of nearly all Native Americans.
What were the changes in Iowa during the Archaic period?
When the American Indians first arrived (in what is now Iowa) thousands of years ago they would hunt and gather living in a Pleistocene glacial landscape. By the time European explorers visited Iowa, American Indians were largely settled farmers with complex economic, social, and political systems. This transformation happened gradually. During the Archaic period (more than 2,800 years ago), American Indians adapted to local environments and ecosystems, slowly becoming more sedentary as populations increased. More than 3,000 years ago, during the Late Archaic period, American Indians in Iowa began utilizing domesticated plants. The subsequent Woodland period saw an increase on the reliance on agriculture and social complexity, with increased use of mounds, ceramics, and specialized subsistence. During the Late Prehistoric period (beginning about A.D. 900) increased use of maize and social changes led to social flourishing and nucleated settlements. The arrival of European trade goods and diseases in the Protohistoric period led to dramatic population shifts and economic and social upheaval, with the arrival of new tribes and early European explorers and traders.
How many coal mines were there in Iowa in 1919?
By 1899, Iowa's coal mines employed 11,029 men to produce almost 5 million tons of coal per year. In 1919, Iowa had about 240 coal mines that between them produced over 8 million tons of coal per year and employed about 15,000 men.
What is the history of Iowa?
Native Americans in the United States resided in what is now Iowa for thousands of years. The written history of Iowa begins with the proto-historic accounts of Native Americans by explorers such as Marquette and Joliet in the 1680s. Until the early 19th century Iowa was occupied exclusively by Native Americans ...
How many people lived in Iowa in 1850?
By 1850, there were 192,214 people living in Iowa. Nearly 90% of the population at this time was from America, with Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania contributing the most settlers. Though immigration from other parts of the world had not yet hit full stride, there nonetheless existed 20,969 foreign immigrants in 1850.
Mainland In North America
In 1602, the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands chartered a young and eager Dutch East India Company ( Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie or "VOC") with the mission of exploring North America's Rivers and Bays for a direct passage through to the Indies.
Caribbean Sea
Dutch colonization in the Caribbean started in 1634 on St. Croix and Tobago (1628), followed in 1631 with settlements on Tortuga (now Île Tortue) and Sint Maarten. When the Dutch lost Sint Maarten (and Anguilla where they had built a fort shortly after arriving in Sint Maarten) to the Spanish, they settled Curaçao and Sint Eustatius.
South America
From 1630 onward, the Dutch Republic gained control of a large portion of northeastern Brazil from the Portuguese. The Dutch West India Company set up their headquarters in Recife; it also exported a tradition of religious tolerance to its New World colonies, most notable to Dutch Brazil.
Where are the villages in Iowa?
These 12 villages are in southern Iowa, and they include Bentonsport, Birmingham, Bonaparte, Cantril, Douds-Leando, Farmington, Iowaville-Selma, Keosauqua, Milton, Mount Sterling, Pittsburg and Stockport. As you tour through the villages, you can enjoy shopping for antiques, baked goods and much more. 5.
Where is the Amish community in Iowa?
The Amish Boulevard, Hazleton. The Hazleton community is recognized as Iowa’s most conservative Amish community. There are almost 50 Amish run businesses on the Amish Boulevard, so prepare to spend some time meandering down the street to shop for a wide array of things, such as handmade furniture, baked goods and more.
What is the Amish by way?
The Amish By-Ways tour offers a rare inside look into Amish life. The tour takes winds its way along scenic back roads, where you can get a close-up look at Amish schools, homes and farms, with several stops at country shops along the way.
Is Iowa an Amish state?
Iowa is home to many established Amish settlements throughout the state. Here are a few communities and sights that will definitely pique your interest and take you into another world. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life.
Netherlands
Pella: The First Colony
- Scholte and a committee tasked with locating the colony site traveled to the federal land office at Fairfield, Iowa. Their goal was to find a site that combined rich, farmable land with ample wooded timbers, all in sufficient acreage for colonization. In Marion County they found what they wanted. Flanked by the wooded lands of the Skunk River to the north and the Des Moines River to the so…
Religious Affiliations
- Beginning in 1856, Pella churches formalized their affiliations with the Reformed Church in America. Congregations organized, divided, and reorganized as the First Reformed Church (1856), followed by the Second and Third churches. Even more conservative were those members of the First Christian Reformed Church, affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church in North America.
Sioux County: The Second Colony
- Between 1850 and 1860, Iowa’s population tripled; by 1870, the state’s population surpassed one million. Land ownership opportunities for the maturing Dutch families of southeast Iowa were increasingly constrained by shortages of locally available land. Attention turned to establishment of a second colony to address these problems and accommodate additional immigration. The H…
Resources For Iowa’s Dutch Heritage
- Pella Public Library, Pella, IA. Collection includes maps, local histories, Dutch publications, family histories, some personal papers and family charts; digital sampling of historical documents an...
- Geisler Library Archives & Special Collections, Central College, Pella, Iowa. Books, histories, manuscript collection includes Hendrik Scholte’s personal papers.
- Pella Public Library, Pella, IA. Collection includes maps, local histories, Dutch publications, family histories, some personal papers and family charts; digital sampling of historical documents an...
- Geisler Library Archives & Special Collections, Central College, Pella, Iowa. Books, histories, manuscript collection includes Hendrik Scholte’s personal papers.
- Pella Historical Society & Museums, Pella, IA.Historical village, Scholte House Museum, Vermeer Windmill; sponsors of Pella’s annual Tulip Time.
- Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society, Sioux Center, IA. Genealogical and historical collection housed at the Sioux Center Public Library, Sioux Center, IA.
Newspapers
- Many Marion and Sioux County newspapers have been digitized. Others are available on microfilm. See “Newspapers,” State Historical Society,for existing issues and links to online digital images.
- The Pella Weekblad began publication in the early 1860s and continued through 1942. The Pella Nieuwsbladserved the Dutch community between 1899 and 1901.
- Many Marion and Sioux County newspapers have been digitized. Others are available on microfilm. See “Newspapers,” State Historical Society,for existing issues and links to online digital images.
- The Pella Weekblad began publication in the early 1860s and continued through 1942. The Pella Nieuwsbladserved the Dutch community between 1899 and 1901.
- TheSioux Center Nieuwsblad, the DeVrije Hollander, and De Volksvriend, all published at Orange City. De Volksvriend initially served as a publicity voice for the Sioux County colony. But over its s...
Religious Resources
- The two primary denominations for Iowa’s Dutch immigrants are the Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church in North America. A limited number of congregational records have been microfilmed and digitized. Some closed churches’ records are housed in denominational archives. Local research is often the best strategy for church records and comm…
Books & Publications
- Beltman, Brian W. “A Dutch Immigrant’s Success Story: E. J. G. Bloemendaal’s Sojourns and Settlement in Northwest Iowa.” The Annals of Iowa 62 (Spring 2003): 201–234.
- ________. “Ethnic Territoriality and the Persistence of Identity: Dutch Settlers in Northwest Iowa, 1869–1880.”The Annals of Iowa 55 (Spring 1996): 108–9.
- Donnel, William M. Pioneers of Marion County, Consisting of a General History of the County …
- Beltman, Brian W. “A Dutch Immigrant’s Success Story: E. J. G. Bloemendaal’s Sojourns and Settlement in Northwest Iowa.” The Annals of Iowa 62 (Spring 2003): 201–234.
- ________. “Ethnic Territoriality and the Persistence of Identity: Dutch Settlers in Northwest Iowa, 1869–1880.”The Annals of Iowa 55 (Spring 1996): 108–9.
- Donnel, William M. Pioneers of Marion County, Consisting of a General History of the County from Its Early Settlement to the Present Date. Also, the Geography and History of Each Township, Includin...
- Dyke, Charles L. The Story of Sioux County.Orange City, IA: Verstegen Printing,1942.
Overview
Native Americans in the United States resided in what is now Iowa for thousands of years. The written history of Iowa begins with the proto-historic accounts of Native Americans by explorers such as Marquette and Joliet in the 1680s. Until the early 19th century Iowa was occupied exclusively by Native Americans and a few European traders, with loose political control by France and Spain.
Iowa: Home for Immigrants
As the cession of Native American lands in Iowa continued, settlement by the United States pushed further westward. By 1838 there were 22,859 people in Iowa, and 42,112 by 1840. One interesting occasion illustrating the westward push occurred on April 30, 1843. Much of the land in central Iowa had been ceded from the Native Americans to the United States pursuant to the "New Pu…
Prehistory in Iowa
When the American Indians first arrived (in what is now Iowa) thousands of years ago they would hunt and gather living in a Pleistocene glacial landscape. By the time European explorers visited Iowa, American Indians were largely settled farmers with complex economic, social, and political systems. This transformation happened gradually. During the Archaic period (more than 2,80…
Early Historic Native Americans
By 1804, there were a number of Native American groups in Iowa: the Sauk (Sac) and Meskwaki (Fox) on the eastern edge of Iowa along the Mississippi; the Ioway along the bank of the Des Moines River; the Oto, Missouri, and Omaha along the Missouri River, and the Sioux in the Northern and Western parts of the State. Additionally, earlier records indicate the presence of the Illinois in Iowa, t…
Iowa's first Euro-American settlers
The Black Hawk Purchase opened up the lands of Iowa to settlers for the first time, and "official" settlement began pursuant to this on June 1, 1833. At the time of the opening of these lands, there were likely only 40-50 Americans then settled in Iowa. Many of those who settled before June 1, 1833 were at the Native American villages of Ahwipetuk (now Nashville) and Puckeshetuk (now …
Transportation: Railroad Fever
As thousands of settlers poured into Iowa in the mid-19th century, all shared a common concern for the development of adequate transportation. The earliest settlers shipped their agricultural goods down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, Louisiana. Steamboats were in widespread use on the Mississippi and major rivers by the 1850s. In the 1850s, Iowans had caught the nation's railroa…
American Civil War
Iowa became a state on December 28, 1846 (the 29th state), and the state continued to attract many settlers, both native and foreign-born. Only the extreme northwestern part of the state remained a frontier area.
Iowa supported the Union during the American Civil War, voting heavily for Lincoln and the Republicans, though there was a strong antiwar "Copperhead" movement among settlers of Sout…
Political arena of late 19th through early 20th century
The Civil War era brought considerable change to Iowa and perhaps one of the most visible changes came in the political arena. During the 1840s, most Iowans voted Democratic although the state also contained some Whigs. During the 1850s, however, the state's Democratic Party developed serious internal problems as well as being unsuccessful in getting the national Democratic Party to respond to their needs. Iowans soon turned to the newly emerging Republic…