Volume 14, Issue No. 6, Nov/Dec 2022

 

More than 140 years after the smoke from the gunfight at the O.K. Corral dissipated into the desert air in Tombstone, Ariz., the legend of one of the Old West’s most famous gunfights still burns hot in the minds of those fascinated by the events of Oct. 26, 1881. What often gets overlooked, however, is the connection that Iowa has to the legendary gunfight that lasted only 30 seconds. Key figures in the historic event were former residents of the Hawkeye State, including the Earps (Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan) and the McLaurys (Frank and Tom, both of whom were killed by the Earps and their friend John “Doc” Holliday). Other former Iowans who were in Tombstone that day were Wyatt Earp’s common-law wife Mattie Blaylock and Holliday’s common-law wife “Big Nose Kate” Elder. What’s more, the judge that presided over the hearings regarding the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, was none other than former Tipton attorney Wells Spicer. Saddle up for Christine White’s cover story that burns the breeze from Iowa to Tombstone!

 

Publisher Michael Swanger commemorates the anniversaries of the Sullivan brothers’ deaths and educator May Francis becoming the first woman to be elected to a statewide public office in Iowa.

 

Retired state curator Jerome Thompson sculpts a story about artist Christian Petersen and Iowa State University’s “Fountain of the Four Seasons.”

 

Discover the great educator who played a pivotal role in the birth and growth of Des Moines Area Community College’s Urban Campus. You’ll also learn about the fight for DMACC Urban Campus 1972-1980 from Matt Walsh, DMACC professor of history.

 

Dive in and find out about Zoe Olsen, who could have made a splash in the world as a dancer were it not for her incredible athletic aptitude as a springboard diver that eventually earned her two Olympic medals. Michael Swanger tells the story.

 

“Country Roads” columnist Arvid Huisman reminiscences about joys of Christmas through his “snapshots.”

 

TO READ MORE FASCINATING STORIES ABOUT IOWA HISTORY, subscribe to Iowa History Journal. You can also purchase back issues at the store.

 

 

Volume 14, Issue No. 5, Sept/Oct 2022

 

Football legends Jack Trice and Duke Slaterplayed during the early 1920s for intrastate rivals Iowa State and the University of Iowa but they have some historical significance in common: both of their names remain familiar to modern-day fans as the fields on which their alma maters play their games have been named for them. Read Don Doxsie’s in-depth cover story to learn what made these two men legends of the gridiron and more.

 

Publisher Michael Swanger devotes his column to newly inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame player Bud Fowler, the first African American player to integrate professional teams and who briefly played for the Keokuk Hawkeyes.

 

Ready for some canvas creativity? Discover how tent shows reigned supreme, bringing shows to the masses across Iowa during the late 1800s and early 1900s from John Busbee.

 

Treat yourself to the tasty history of how Waterloo’s Gem Doughnut Machine mechanized the doughnut with Tim Harwood.

 

Jerry Harrington chronicles Dick Clark’s walk across Iowa 50 years ago and how it earned him a U.S. Senate seat.

 

“Country Roads” columnist Arvid Huisman recalls how “hibbles” and cussers were verboten in his house.

 

Don’t slip past discovering Vihjalmur Stefansson the arctic explorer, reindeer expert and Iowa graduate from “Iowa Scrapbook” columnist, Cheryl Mullenbach.

 

 

Volume 14, Issue No. 4, Jul/Aug 2022

 

Perhaps no other Iowan has had more “universal” appeal than Mount Pleasant native Dr. James Van Allen, the longtime professor of physics at the University of Iowa who became known as the modern day “Father of Space Science.” Explore the incredible professional journey of Van Allen, who over the course of seven decades discovered radiation belts that now bear his name and developed a way to map the solar system based on solar winds, solar storms and cosmic rays, in our cover story written by Timothy Walch.

 

Publisher Michael Swanger shares some good news about IHJ contributing writers winning the state’s Excellence in History Awards and IHJ’s increased newsstand distribution at new outlets.

 

Explore the Sioux City Army Air Base where World War II bomber crews trained, including actor Jimmy Stewart.

 

Get the full story on our Excellence in History Award winners.

 

A favorite childhood memory for generations of central Iowans, it’s time to spend time again with TV pioneer Betty Lou Varnum, host of the beloved children’s TV show “The House With the Magic Window.”

 

Author and broadcaster Jeff Stein, who is heard on Iowa radio stations daily through his syndicated “Iowa Almanac” and “Iowa Business Report” programs and who hosts a morning show on News/Talk 1540 KXEL in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids concludes his three-part series about the history of radio in Iowa, “Making waves,” as he tunes in to how the popular radio character “Josh Higgins” allowed Joe DuMond to make Iowa broadcasting history.

 

“Country Roads” columnist Arvid Huisman shares “All the news that’s fit to print” and how Iowa’s weekly newspapers printed the news a century ago.

 

Discover the story behind Sioux City’s female professional wrestler, Clara Mortensen from “Iowa Scrapbook” columnist, Cheryl Mullenbach.

 

 

Volume 14, Issue No. 3, May/June 2022

 

Sauk Chief Keokuk, for whom Iowa’s southernmost city is named, was a 19th century American Indian leader who historians have compared to King Solomon, to Daniel Webster and to a cunning riverboat gambler. Indeed, a case can be made for all three comparisons of this man of peace in an age of war; whose oratory was often as effective a weapon as his sword, which led to his election as chief of Sauk tribes in the Illinois-Iowa territories. His biographers fill many pages with accounts of his extraordinary decision-making and speaking skills when quick action was necessary. Author and former newspaperman John Skipper explores the deep and complex history of Chief Keokuk.

 

Publisher Michael Swanger interviews beloved character actor Barry Corbin (“Urban Cowboy,” “Lonesome Dove,” “No Country for Old Men,” “Yellowstone”) who returns to Winterset for this year’s  John Wayne Birthday Celebration, May 27-28.

 

Former Iowa governor and ambassador to China Terry Branstad and Margaret Hoover, great-granddaughter of Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover and host of PBS’ “Firing Line with Margaret Hoover,” co-author a guest column regarding the campaign to renovate the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch

 

Test your baseball knowledge. Do you know about Cy? Retired DMACC history professor John Liepa writes about Cy Slapnicka, the former ballplayer and cunning baseball scout who signed Bob Feller and other fellow Iowans to Major League Baseball.

 

Don’t miss out on the second part of the three-part series, “Making waves,” which focuses on how Iowa radio stations covered hometown teams and developed Hall of Fame broadcasters. Author and broadcaster Jeff Stein, who is heard on Iowa radio stations daily through his syndicated “Iowa Almanac” and “Iowa Business Report” programs and who hosts a morning show on News/Talk 1540 KXEL in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids brings you more interesting tidbits.

 

Eat dirt. “Country Roads” columnist Arvid Huisman confesses to having experienced a taste of geophagy. It’s a dirty job, but somebody has to do it.

 

“Iowa Scrapbook” columnist, Cheryl Mullenbach writes how Angora goats were quite valuable to Iowa farmers during the early 1900s.

 

 

 

Volume 14, Issue No. 2, Mar/Apr 2022

 

The wonder of radio broadcasting — sounds literally flying through the air from far off places — has captivated us for decades. Commercial radio broadcasting in Iowa is celebrating its centennial this year. It is impossible to image life without it. Our experiences are tied to it — happy memories tied to songs we heard on the radio, or tragedies remembered by “breaking news” bulletins. Broadcasting has in many ways united us as a people; the commonality of experiences we share instantaneously now thanks to radio, television and emerging digital technology were unheard of 100 years ago. Dial in our cover story, “Making Waves,” the first of a compelling three-part series written by author and veteran broadcaster Jeff Stein, who is heard on Iowa radio stations daily through his syndicated “Iowa Almanac” and “Iowa Business Report” programs and who hosts a morning show on News/Talk 1540 KXEL in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, to learn about the history of radio in Iowa. 

 

Publisher Michael Swanger shares the celebration around the University of Iowa’s 175th anniversary and its milestones, in his “Publisher’s Perspective” column.

 

Get a compelling account of the Farmers’ Holiday Strike of 1932 in which farmers mounted a populist revolt to protest depressed prices and government inaction from Council Bluffs writer, Ben Johnson.

 

Explore the history and pageantry of the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens in downtown Des Moines with Carson Ode. Find out how the former governor’s humanitarian efforts prompted the creation of the Asian culture display.

 

Author and retired newspaperman John Skipper shines the spotlight on Margaret Lindsay, the actress from Dubuque who appeared in 88 movies and won over Hollywood with her British accent as shared by

 

“Country Roads” columnist Arvid Huisman reminds us that somewhere there’s someone who thinks you talk funny.

 

Iowa Scrapbook columnist, Cheryl Mullenbach answers the question asked by farmers in 1920: What is a ton of manure worth?

 

 

 

Volume 14, Issue No. 1, Jan/Feb 2022

 

Did you know Iowa had an NBA team? Waterloo radio broadcaster Tim Harwood, author of “Ball Hawks — The Arrival and Departure of the NBA in Iowa,” tells the story of the only NBA team to have played in Iowa and how the Hawks helped professional basketball take flight in Waterloo.

 

Publisher Michael Swanger pays tribute to the late Bob Everhart, a multi-talented steward of traditional country, bluegrass and folk music in Iowa, in his “Publisher’s Perspective” column

 

Iowa’s got back. Mary Jo Nissen shares how beautiful back contests promoted chiropractic care in Iowa and how her mother, Louise Goodwin of Baxter, was named “Miss Perfect Back of America” in 1933.

 

Enigmatic, or at least complicated, Fort Dodge author Alan Nelson writes about the multi-dimensional poet Charles Blanden, and namesake of the city’s Blanden Memorial Art Museum.

 

IHJ’s publisher also explores the history of the stunning Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monumentlocated on the grounds south of the Iowa Statehouse in Des Moines that commemorates Iowans who fought in the Civil War and the little-known backstory of its controversial design and location

 

There’s no day like a snow day! Iowa Country Roads columnist, Arvid Huisman remembers the joys of snow days during his youth.

 

Iowa Scrapbook columnist, Cheryl Mullenbach tells how homemakers were introduced to many timesaving tips in 1924.

 

TO READ MORE FASCINATING STORIES ABOUT IOWA HISTORY, subscribe to Iowa History Journal. You can also purchase back issues at the store.

 

Discover more IHJ issues