Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States. It is the principal city of the Iowa City, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses Johnson and Washington counties. As of the 2007 census estimate, the city had a total population of 67,062 making it the sixth-largest city in Iowa. It is the county seat of Johnson County[1] and the home of the University of Iowa. It is located adjacent to Coralville, Iowa with which it forms a contiguous urban area. Iowa City was the second capital of the Iowa Territory, and the first capital of the State of Iowa. The Old Capitol building is a major landmark, and stands as a tourist attraction in the middle of the University of Iowa campus. The University of Iowa Art Museum and Plum Grove, home of the first governor of Iowa, are other tourist attractions. In 2008, Forbes Magazine named Iowa City the second Best Small Metropolitan Area for doing business in the United States.[2]
History
Iowa City was created by an act of Legislative Assembly of the Iowa Territory on January 21, 1839, fulfilling the desire of Governor Robert Lucas to move the capitol out of Burlington and closer to the center of the territory. The act began,
"An Act to locate the Seat of Government of the Territory of Iowa...so soon as the place shall be selected, and the consent of the United States obtained, the commissioners shall proceed to lay out a town to be called "Iowa City". [3]
A bird's-eye view map of Iowa City circa 1868.
Commissioners Chauncey Swan and John Ronalds met on May 1 in the small settlement of Napoleon, south of present-day Iowa City, to select a site for the new capitol city. The following day the commissioners selected a site on bluffs above the Iowa River north of Napoleon, placed a stake in the center of the proposed site and began planning the new capitol city. Commissioner Swan, in a report to the legislature in Burlington, described the site:
"Iowa City is located on a section of land laying in the form of an amphitheater. There is an eminence on the west near the river, running parallel with it." [4]
By June of that year, the town had been platted and surveyed from Brown St. in the north to Burlington St. in the south, and from the Iowa River eastward to Governor St.
While Iowa City was selected as the territorial capitol in 1839, it did not officially become the capitol city until 1841; after construction on the capitol building had begun. The capitol building was completed in 1842, and the last four territorial legislatures and the first six Iowa General Assemblies met there until 1876, when the state capitol was moved to Des Moines. [5] In a compromise gesture, the State University of Iowa was established in Iowa City.
2006 tornado
-
Damaged homes along Iowa Avenue
On the evening of April 13, 2006, one or more tornadoes struck Iowa City, causing severe property damage and displacing many from their homes, including many University of Iowa students. It was the first tornado ever to be recorded to hit Iowa City directly. No serious injuries were reported in the Iowa City area, but one person in rural Muscatine County died in a related storm. [1]
A popular Dairy Queen [2] which had been in business for 54 years was a victim of the storm (but was reopened in late September), along with two large car dealerships, and several other businesses along Riverside Drive and Iowa Highway 1. The 134-year-old Saint Patrick's Catholic Church was heavily damaged only minutes after Holy Thursday Mass, with most of its roof destroyed. The building was ruled a total loss and has since been demolished. The downtown business district as well as the eastern residential area and several parks suffered scattered damage of varying degree.
Additionally, several houses in the sorority row area were destroyed. The Alpha Chi Omega house was nearly destroyed though no one was injured and the building was later razed. Cleanup efforts were under way almost immediately as local law enforcement, volunteer workers from all over the state, and Iowa City residents and college students worked together to restore the city. The total cost of damage was estimated at around $12 million.citation needed A map of the damaged areas and other information can be found at the Iowa City Public Library tornado page. Photos and other visual media recorded of the storm can be viewed 4/13/06 Iowa City Tornado Photos.
2008 Flood
-
The University of Iowa Museum of Modern Art on North Riverside Drive during the height of the flood.
A local newspaper reported on June 11, 2008, that water exceeded the emergency spillway at the Coralville Reservoir outside of Iowa City. [6] As a result, the City of Iowa City and the University of Iowa were seriously affected by unprecedented flooding of the Iowa River, which caused widespread property damage and forced evacuations in large sections of the city. By Friday, June 13, 2008, the Iowa River had risen to a record level of 30.46 ft. (5:00 PM CST) with a crest of approximately 33 ft. predicted for Wednesday, June 18, 2008. Much of the city’s 500-year flood plain saw mild to catastrophic effects of the rapidly flowing, polluted water. Officials at the University of Iowa reported that up to 19 buildings were affected by rising waters. Extensive efforts to move materials from the University’s main library were undertaken as large groups of sandbagging volunteers began to construct a massive levee near the building.
On Friday, June 13, University employees were encouraged to stay home, and travel was strongly discouraged in Iowa City; one city statement advised, "If you live in east Iowa City, stay in east Iowa City; if you live in west Iowa City, stay in west Iowa City." On Saturday, June 14, officials at the University of Iowa began to power down the University's primary power generating plant along the Iowa River. Backup units continued to provide necessary power and steam services for essential University services, including the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Also on Saturday, Mayor Regenia Bailey issued a curfew restricting anyone except those authorized by law enforcement from being within 100 yards of any area affected by the flood between 8:30 PM and 6 AM.
Geography and climate
Iowa City is located at 41°39′21″N, 91°31′30″W (41.655816, -91.524991)[7], along the Iowa River.
The city has a total area of 24.4 square miles (63.3 km²), of which, 24.2 square miles (62.6 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.7 km²) of it (1.15%) is water.
The elevation at the Iowa City Municipal Airport is 668 ft. (203.6 m) above sea level.
| Weather averages for Iowa City, Iowa |
| Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Year |
| Average high °F (°C) |
32 (0) |
35 (1) |
46 (7) |
61 (16) |
73 (22) |
82 (27) |
87 (30) |
85 (29) |
78 (25) |
67 (19) |
49 (9) |
36 (2) |
61 (16) |
| Average low °F (°C) |
15 (-9) |
18 (-7) |
27 (-2) |
39 (3) |
50 (10) |
60 (15) |
64 (17) |
62 (16) |
53 (11) |
42 (5) |
29 (-1) |
19 (-7) |
40 (4) |
| Precipitation inches (cm) |
1.5 (3) |
1.4 (3) |
2.3 (5) |
3.0 (7) |
4.2 (10) |
4.7 (11) |
4.1 (10) |
3.9 (9) |
3.8 (9) |
2.7 (6) |
2.1 (5) |
1.6 (4) |
35.2 (89) |
| Source: Weatherbase[8] 2008-07-14 |
Demographics
| Historical Populations |
| Year |
Pop. |
%± |
| 1850 |
1,250 |
— |
| 1860 |
5,214 |
317.1% |
| 1870 |
5,914 |
13.4% |
| 1880 |
7,123 |
20.4% |
| 1890 |
7,016 |
−1.5% |
| 1900 |
7,987 |
13.8% |
| 1910 |
10,091 |
26.3% |
| 1920 |
11,267 |
11.7% |
| 1930 |
15,340 |
36.1% |
| 1940 |
17,182 |
12.0% |
| 1950 |
27,212 |
58.4% |
| 1960 |
33,443 |
22.9% |
| 1970 |
46,850 |
40.1% |
| 1980 |
50,508 |
7.8% |
| 1990 |
59,735 |
18.3% |
| 2000 |
62,220 |
4.2% |
| Source:"American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. and Iowa Data Center |
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 62,220 people, 25,202 households, and 11,189 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,575.0 people per square mile (994.3/km²). There were 26,083 housing units at an average density of 1,079.4/sq mi (416.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.33% White, 3.75% African American, 0.31% Native American, 5.64% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.25% from other races, and 1.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.95% of the population.
There were 25,202 households out of which 21.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 2% were households with same-sex couples (2000 U.S. Census), 3.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.6% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 16.2% under the age of 18, 32.8% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 7.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,977, and the median income for a family was $57,568. Males had a median income of $35,435 versus $28,981 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,269. About 2.7% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.2% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
Iowa City is commonly known as a "college town". It is home to the University of Iowa and also a small campus for Kirkwood Community College. The population increases during the months when the two schools are in session.
Iowa City is tied with Stamford, Connecticut, for the US metropolitan area with the highest percentage of the adult population holding a bachelor's degree or higher; 44 percent of adults hold a degree. (US Dept of Commerce @ www.census.gov)
Metropolitan area
The Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of Johnson and Washington counties in Iowa; Washington County was added to the MSA after the 2000 census. It had a 2000 census population of 131,676, and a 2006 estimated population of 139,567.[10]
Iowa City is flanked by Coralville and North Liberty. University Heights is completely contained within the boundaries of Iowa City, near Kinnick Stadium. Tiffin, Solon, and Hills are other small towns within a few miles.
Iowa City is one of the two namesakes of the "Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Technology Corridor", which includes the above communities plus Linn, Benton, and Jones counties. This area had a 2006 estimated population of 423,353.[11]
Government
According to the City Charter Iowa City is governed by an elected city council of seven members: four council members at large and three district members. The two council members at large who receive the most votes and the three district council members serve four year terms. The other two council members at large serve two year terms. A mayor and mayor pro tem are elected by the council from within its members to serve terms of two years. Current Iowa City Council members are:
- Regina Bailey (Mayor, District C)
- Mike O`Donnell (Mayor Pro Tem, At-Large)
- Connie Champion (District B)
- Amy Correia (At-Large)
- Ross Wilburn (District A)
- Matt Hayek (At-Large)
- Mike Wright (At-Large)
Under this form of council-manager government the powers of the city are vested in the council. The council is responsible for appointing the city manager (currently Michael A. Lombardo) who implements the policy decisions of the city council, enforces city ordinances and appoints city officials. The council also appoints the city attorney and city clerk. [12]
Culture
Old Capitol Building in February 2005
Iowa City has a variety of cultural offerings. It has a strong literary history and is the home of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, whose graduates include John Irving, Flannery O'Connor, T.C. Boyle and many other prominent American authors; the nation's leading Non-Fiction Writing Program; the Iowa Playwrights Workshop; the Iowa Summer Writing Festival; and the Nobel Peace Prize-nominated International Writing Program, a unique residency program that has hosted writers from more than 120 countries.
This literary heritage is also shown in the Iowa Avenue Literary Walk, a series of bronze relief panels that feature authors' words as well as attribution. The panels are visually connected by a series of general quotations about books and writing stamped into the concrete sidewalk. All 49 authors and playwrights featured in the Literary Walk have ties to Iowa.
Iowa City also sponsors a variety of events in the Summer of the Arts program. These include a nationally renowned jazz festival, a festival of the arts, open-air summer movies and free concerts every Friday night in the pedestrian mall (Ped Mall).[13]
In 2004, the Old Capitol Cultural District was one of the first Cultural Districts certified by the State of Iowa. The district extends from the University of Iowa Pentacrest, south to the Johnson County Courthouse, east to College Green Park, and north into the historic Northside Neighborhood.
In 2004. Forbes Magazine named Iowa City the third Best Small Metropolitan Area in the United States.[14] Utne Magazine ranked Iowa City eighth in its 1997 survey of "America's 10 Most Enlightened Towns".[3]
In June 2006, Kiplinger's rated Iowa City #10 on its list of the Top 50 Smart Places to Live. [4]
The Iowa Biennial Exhibition [TIBE] [5] began in 2004 as an international survey of contemporary miniature printmaking held its initial exhibition at the University of Iowa. The 2006 [6] exhibition, currently underway, received a 2007 "ICKY" award nomination in Visual Arts Programming from the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance for its exhibition at the University of Iowa’s Project Art Gallery.
Iowa City is home to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC), the state's only comprehensive tertiary care medical center. The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center in Iowa City is an NCI-designated Cancer Center, one of fewer than 60 in the country.[15]
In the fall of 2001, the cupola of the Old Capitol caught fire during the renovation of its gold leaf dome. The cupola was destroyed and the building was heavily damaged. In 2006, after an extensive restoration, the building re-opened to the public as it appeared during the time Iowa City was the state capitol. The building now serves as the Old Capitol Museum, as well as a venue for speeches, lectures, press conferences and performances in the original state senate chamber.
Local Landmarks
Families enjoying Weatherdance Fountain on the downtown Pedestrian Mall.
- Hancher Auditorium often hosts nationally touring theater, dance and musical shows, and has commissioned more than 100 works of music, theater and dance during the last 20 years.
- Hamburg Inn No. 2 is a popular family restaurant and favorite campaign stop for political candidates. It was featured in a 2005 episode of the political drama The West Wing. It has also been a favored campaign stop for many US Presidents, including Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan. It was featured in the New York Times for its widely renowned "pie shakes."
- ACT college testing services is headquartered in Iowa City.
- Oakland Cemetery contains graves of notable locals as well as the beloved "Black Angel" statue.
- Hickory Hill Park is a large natural area on the north side of town.
- Plum Grove Historic House was the residence of Robert Lucas, the first territorial governor of Iowa, and the novelist Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd.
Pedestrian Mall
-
City Plaza (commonly called the "Pedestrian Mall" or simply "Ped Mall") serves as a gathering place for students and locals and draws large crowds for its summertime events such as the Friday Night Concert Series and the annual Iowa City Jazz Festival and Iowa City Arts Festival. The Ped Mall area contains restaurants, bars, retail, hotels, and the Iowa City Public Library. It is known for its appeal to various local artists and musicians.
Transportation
Iowa City has a general aviation airport - the Iowa City Municipal Airport - on the south side of the city. The nearest airport with passenger service is The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids, about 15 miles to the northwest via Interstate 380.
Interstate 80 runs east-west along the north edge of Iowa City. U.S. Highway 218 and Iowa Highway 27 (the Avenue of the Saints) are co-signed along a freeway bypassing Iowa City to the west. U.S. Highway 6 and Iowa Highway 1 also run through Iowa City.
Iowa City is served by the Iowa Interstate Railroad and the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway (CRANDIC or CRandIC).
Iowa City Transit[7], Coralville Transit[8], and the University of Iowa's "Cambus" system[9] provide public transportation.
Media
- See also: Cedar Rapids Media
Three radio stations are based out of the University of Iowa. WSUI 910 AM is the area's National Public Radio station while KSUI 91.7 FM plays classical music. KRUI 89.7 FM is the University's student-run radio station.
Clear Channel Communications owns two of the Iowa City area's commercial radio stations: KXIC 800 AM, a news/talk station, and KKRQ 100.7 FM, a classic rock station.[16] KCJJ 1630 AM is an independently-owned, 10,000-watt talk radio and hot adult contemporary station that broadcasts from studios in Coralville. Another Iowa City-licensed station, KRNA 94.1 FM, now broadcasts from Cedar Rapids and is operated by Cumulus Media. Radio signals from other cities, including Cedar Rapids and the Quad Cities, also reach the Iowa City area.[17]
Iowa City and Johnson County are part of the Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Iowa City-Dubuque media market, which was ranked 87th by Nielsen Media Research for the 2007-2008 TV season.[18] Two television stations, KIIN channel 12 (PBS) and KWKB channel 20 (CW and MyNetwork TV), are licensed to Iowa City.[19] KCRG-TV 9, the ABC affiliate in Cedar Rapids, maintains a news bureau at Old Capitol Mall in downtown Iowa City.[20]
Mediacom, the local cable television company, provides seven public, education, and government access channels in Iowa City: City Channel 4, Infovision (channel 5), the Iowa City Public Library Channel (channel 10), Kirkwood Television Services (channel 11), University of Iowa Television (channel 17), Public Access Television (channel 18), and the Iowa City Community School District's channel 21.[21]
Two daily newspapers are published in Iowa City. The Iowa City Press-Citizen, owned by Gannett, publishes seven days a week with a Sunday edition that is packaged with Gannett's Des Moines Sunday Register. The Daily Iowan, the student newspaper of the University of Iowa, publishes Monday through Friday while classes are in session. In addition, The Gazette of Cedar Rapids maintains a news bureau in Iowa City.
Sports
Iowa City is home to the University of Iowa's athletic teams, known as the Iowa Hawkeyes. The football team plays at Kinnick Stadium, while men's and women's basketball, volleyball, and the wrestling teams compete at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Iowa City's two public high schools, City and West, are members of the Mississippi Valley Conference.
Notable natives
- See also: List of University of Iowa people
- Nancy C. Andreasen, World known Psychiatrist and Professor at the University of Iowa.
- Thomas R. Cech, the 1989 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry
- Tim Dwight, an NFL player with the Atlanta Falcons, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, and Oakland Raiders. He played high school football at Iowa City High School and college football at the University of Iowa.
- Dan Gable, Olympic gold medalist; served as head wrestling coach for the Hawkeyes, leading the program to 21 Big Ten conference championships and 15 national championships.
- Nate Kaeding, another NFL player, is a kicker for the San Diego Chargers. He played at Iowa City West High School and the University of Iowa.
- Janet Guthrie, female NASCAR driver
- Actor Hill Harper
- Greg Brown, folk musician
- John T. Struble (1828-1916) pioneer builder, rancher and farmer.
- Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd (1868-1943) popular novelist.
- Joey Woody, World Champion sprinter.
- Emma J. Harvat (1870 - 1949), first female mayor in the USA of any city over 10,000 people (1922).
- Marilyn Robinson Author of Gilead, Pulitzer Prize winning author
- Bob Barr , Former Georgia Congressman and 2008 Presidential Candidate
- Catherine Wagner , Poet and Miami University Professor
- Nia Long, Actress
References
See also
External links
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