by Donna Seliger
Good morning, class. Today we are going to study the state of Iowa. As you know, the 40th annual ACB convention will be held in Iowa, so we need to know something about the geography and history of that state.
Iowa is relatively flat with a few rolling hills and several rivers. It is surrounded by four states: Illinois on the east separated by the Mississippi River; Missouri on the south; Nebraska on the west with the Missouri River dividing the two states and Minnesota to the north. The state is well-known for its corn, cows and pigs. Also grown here are soybeans and wheat.
As part of the Louisiana Territory, the land which is now Iowa was sold to the United States in 1803. Then in 1846 Iowa became a state; at the time, the capital was Iowa City, but the capital was later moved to Des Moines.
In 1851 the last bit of land belonging to the Indians was given up to the state. Today, the most famous Indian reservation, purchased from the state in 1857 by the Meskwaki Indians, is located in east central Iowa.
Each August, a state fair is held in Des Moines. The state fair tradition has been alive in Iowa since 1854 when the first fair was held in the southern part of the state. Ours is one of the country’s largest state fairs and draws guests from around the world.
You may be interested to know that the University of Iowa was established in 1847 and opened its doors in 1855 to 124 students. The following year the Iowa Agricultural College opened and is now known as Iowa State University.
The Iowa College for the Blind (Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School) opened for students in 1854 and is using its original main building to this day. It is located in the north central town of Vinton.
Iowa’s first train robbery occurred when Frank and Jesse James held up a train for $3,000.
Many famous people have called Iowa home — including President Herbert Hoover, John Wayne, Andy Williams, Betty White, and ACB’s new board member, Jerry Annunzio.
Crops and cattle aren’t our only sources of income. Iowa has the third largest number of insurance companies in the world. Amana appliances, Maytag appliances, Winnebago motor homes and Pella windows are manufactured here as well.
Before our class ends, I want to tell you a bit about the people who live and work here. They are from every corner of the world. It was reported that in the Des Moines school district last year students spoke at least 57 different languages. The people are hospitable and trusting for the most part.
Our next lesson will be on the city of Des Moines, the site of next summer’s ACB convention.
The ACB national convention will take place from June 30-July 7, 2001, in Des Moines’ modern convention center. The lead hotel will be the Marriott, but ACB members will be able to choose from among five hotels. (That’s why we’re calling the 2001 convention our “Five Star Convention!”)
As our semester progresses, you can expect to learn more about Des Moines, and about the convention center, the skywalks, and the various hotels where we will be staying.
Class dismissed.