Gateway Access Realty

Iowa City, IA Area Guide

General Info

Iowa City has it all, big city amenities tempered with small town hospitality. Sitting in the heart of the Midwest, in east central Johnson County, Iowa City has always been a locale where people could enjoy culture and a variety of fun. Just take a walk downtown, and enjoy the pedestrian plaza. You’ll find a sense of community that’s rare these days and probably find some students doing battle in a game of chess on the plaza’s life size board. A block down, seniors will probably be enjoying a class at the Senor Center, or a cup of coffee at one of the outdoor cafes. Listen as a local band playing anything from jazz to blues is on the outdoor stage or visit the state’s historic Old Capitol Building, a famous landmark of the University of Iowa campus.

No matter what your idea of a good time is, Iowa City will have it for you to enjoy, so plan a visit today and you’ll see what we mean!

To learn more, visit: http://www.icgov.org/default/?id=1359

History

When Governor Robert Lucas wanted to move the capital out of Burlington and closer to the center of the Iowa territory, Iowa City was created by an act of Legislative Assembly in January of 1839. This act began “An Act to locate the Seat of Government of the Territory of Iowa…so soon as the place shall be elected, and the consent of the United States obtained, the commissioners shall proceed to lay out a town to be called Iowa City.”

In 1868, Commissioners Swan and Ronalds met in Napoleon just south of today’s Iowa City site and selected a place on bluffs above the Iowa River north of Napoleon, placed a stake in the center of the proposed site and began planning Iowa’s new capital city. Even though it was selected in 1839, it didn’t officially become the capital until 1841, after construction on the capital building had begun. When it was completed in 1842, and the last four territorial legislatures and the first six Iowa General Assemblies met there until the capital of Iowa was moved to Des Moines.

To learn more, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_City,_Iowa#History

Attractions & Activities

 The Englert Theatre

 Opened in 1912, the Englert Theatre was built by William Englert and his wife Etta during a boom time for business. Everything from Vaudeville touring acts to talkies played there. When a fire nearly destroyed the building, Etta Englert and her new husband rebuilt to the code of the era, when ornate movie palaces were being built in cities across the U.S. By 1999, the managers of the Englert had decided to close the theatre, but it was bought by the city and refurbished and after five long years, Iowa City’s first theatre became the community’s dream with the first live performance given their in over 60 years.

To learn more, visit: http://www.englert.org/index.php

Iowa City Community Theatre

A non profit community organization, the Iowa City Community Theatre was established in 1956, dedicated to promoting the dramatic arts in the Iowa City area. Providing a venue for individual creative expression through participation, ICCT is committed to increasing community interest in the performing arts. To learn more, visit:http://www.historicmorven.org/

For a complete list of attractions in Iowa City, visit: http://www.iowacitycoralville.org/visitors_whattosee.asp

Parks and Recreation

To see a comprehensive list of the parks in Iowa City and their amenities, visit: http://www.icgov.org/default/?id=1000

Events Calendar

From the The Englert Theatre to the Iowa Jazz Festival and Friday Night Concert Series, Iowa City has a little something for everyone and the whole family to enjoy. For a list of events, please visit: http://www.princetontwp.org/calendars.html

To learn more, visit : http://www.culturalcorridor.org