Welcome to Clinton Iowa
Visitors to the Clinton area enjoy a variety of tour possibilities. Stop by while passing through on U.S. Highway 30 or Interstate 80. Stay overnight for dinner, theatre or casino gaming at our new Wild Rose Casino & Resort. Or, spend a day or two enjoying the history, nature, beauty and special events of this Mississippi River area.
Is your group interested in antique shops, architectural, mystery or gambling tours? Whatever your group's need is, contact the Clinton Convention & Visitors Bureau for specific information. We'll help you custom plan itineraries to fit your group's special interest... whether your group has two hours or two days to spend in our area.
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Our History
The city of Clinton might still be a small hamlet named New York if it were not for geographical good fortune. Platted as the town of New York in 1836 by its first settler, Joseph Bartlett, the community was one of several that clustered on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Other communities were Lyons, Ringwood, Chancy and Camanche.
The fledgling settlement had little hope of growth. In 1839, it consisted of a sprinkling of cabins, two stores and a tavern. Lyons, to the north, where a ferry had been established by Elijah Buell, grew at a healthy pace. Lyons was first a mill town with grain and flour mills before being recognized for its lumber potential.
Throughout the 1840’s New York changed little while communities around it continued to develop. However, in 1855, the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad changed its plans and announced it would cross the river at Little Rock Island adjacent to Bartlett’s settlement, instead of at Lyons.
The Iowa Land Company bought Bartlett’s tract and renamed it Clinton, in honor of DeWitt Clinton, governor of New York State. From that date on Clinton grew, absorbing Ringwood, Chancy and Lyons, and becoming the Clinton County seat as well.
In the early 1800’s, not everyone could afford passage on the steamboats which paddled the Mississippi bringing goods and people to Clinton County. Some came by horse-drawn wagons; others walked the many miles.
Among the walkers in 1835 was Dr. George Peck. When he came upon a high bluff on the west river bank, he thought it ideal for a great city and set about platting it. He named his town after an Indian tribe, but misspelled it. Camanche, with its erroneous “a” was born.
That same year, Martin Dunning arrived from Chicago with a load of general merchandise and became the first businessman to settle in Camanche. Peck’s investment was secured when Albany, Illinois was platted across the river and a ferry to Camanche was established. Camanche was the first governmental seat when the county was formally organized in 1840.
A bit of Camanche history - its old railroad depot has been fully restored and set on the library grounds as an
historic museum.
Between the late 1850’s and 1900, the Clinton area was regarded as the sawmill capital of the nation. Huge log rafts were floated down river from Wisconsin and Minnesota, cut into lumber at Clinton, then shipped to growing communities east, west, north and south via the river and the railroads.
In 1865, the sawmills of Clinton, Lyons and Camanche produced 21.5 million board feet of lumber. By 1892, production had risen to more than 195 million board feet.
Lumbermen W. J. Young, Chancy Lamb and David Joyce were counted among the 13 millionaires residing in Clinton during one period and were among the city’s more influential leaders.
These families and others who gained great wealth during the era constructed magnificent mansions along 5th, 6th and 7th Avenues in Clinton. That area became the center of elite social life. Elaborate and festive dinner parties, often catered out of Chicago, were frequent.
Once again, location aided the River City Area.
The railroad and the river continue to provide economic diversity in all directions, attracting manufacturing and heavy industry to the community, plus providing sport and recreational activities and commerce. Since the early years of this century, and continuing forward, the Clinton area has prospered as an industrial center, with a steadily growing list of products and services, which are delivered to all parts of the nation and the world.
––––––––––––––––
Our History
The fledgling settlement had little hope of growth. In 1839, it consisted of a sprinkling of cabins, two stores and a tavern. Lyons, to the north, where a ferry had been established by Elijah Buell, grew at a healthy pace. Lyons was first a mill town with grain and flour mills before being recognized for its lumber potential.
Throughout the 1840’s New York changed little while communities around it continued to develop. However, in 1855, the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad changed its plans and announced it would cross the river at Little Rock Island adjacent to Bartlett’s settlement, instead of at Lyons.
The Iowa Land Company bought Bartlett’s tract and renamed it Clinton, in honor of DeWitt Clinton, governor of New York State. From that date on Clinton grew, absorbing Ringwood, Chancy and Lyons, and becoming the Clinton County seat as well.
In the early 1800’s, not everyone could afford passage on the steamboats which paddled the Mississippi bringing goods and people to Clinton County. Some came by horse-drawn wagons; others walked the many miles.
Among the walkers in 1835 was Dr. George Peck. When he came upon a high bluff on the west river bank, he thought it ideal for a great city and set about platting it. He named his town after an Indian tribe, but misspelled it. Camanche, with its erroneous “a” was born.
That same year, Martin Dunning arrived from Chicago with a load of general merchandise and became the first businessman to settle in Camanche. Peck’s investment was secured when Albany, Illinois was platted across the river and a ferry to Camanche was established. Camanche was the first governmental seat when the county was formally organized in 1840.
A bit of Camanche history - its old railroad depot has been fully restored and set on the library grounds as an
historic museum.
Between the late 1850’s and 1900, the Clinton area was regarded as the sawmill capital of the nation. Huge log rafts were floated down river from Wisconsin and Minnesota, cut into lumber at Clinton, then shipped to growing communities east, west, north and south via the river and the railroads.
In 1865, the sawmills of Clinton, Lyons and Camanche produced 21.5 million board feet of lumber. By 1892, production had risen to more than 195 million board feet.
Lumbermen W. J. Young, Chancy Lamb and David Joyce were counted among the 13 millionaires residing in Clinton during one period and were among the city’s more influential leaders.
These families and others who gained great wealth during the era constructed magnificent mansions along 5th, 6th and 7th Avenues in Clinton. That area became the center of elite social life. Elaborate and festive dinner parties, often catered out of Chicago, were frequent.
Once again, location aided the River City Area.
The railroad and the river continue to provide economic diversity in all directions, attracting manufacturing and heavy industry to the community, plus providing sport and recreational activities and commerce. Since the early years of this century, and continuing forward, the Clinton area has prospered as an industrial center, with a steadily growing list of products and services, which are delivered to all parts of the nation and the world.