Embedded Files
In this activity, students investigate the history of a selected river or other waterway using online research, historical records, and personal interviews, then create a mural depicting their findings. In this abbreviated version, you will do some basic research and briefly share your initial questions and findings.
Research a Local River
Research a Local River
Select a river in your area. Research the river using online resources, a local library, local historical society, and/or long-time residents of the area.
For this abbreviated version, you can reach out to the local historical society or do an Internet search.
If it is a smaller river or creek, are there long-time local residents who can provide information about it?
Can you access historical photos to determine land use, or other changes near the river?
One option for historical aerial photos: https://ortho.gis.iastate.edu/
Share your questions and what you learned on the shared Jamboard. [Create a new page (frame).]
Example: Middle Raccoon River
Example: Middle Raccoon River
The following example includes information on the Middle Raccoon River in Guthrie County, Iowa. If you opt to not research a local river, you can use the information provided to learn more about the Middle Raccoon and its place in history.
A quick internet search shows that the Middle Raccoon River flows from northwestern Carroll County through Guthrie and Dallas counties in western Iowa. It flows past Carroll, Coon Rapids, Springbrook State Park, Panora, Linden, and Redfield. There are three dams on the river and Whiterock Conservancy. There is also a water trail on the river.
Several websites have additional information about the river...
http://www.lakepanorama.org/home.asp
https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/Springbrook-State-Park
https://www.whiterockconservancy.org/
https://www.mycountyparks.com/county/Guthrie/Park/Lenon-Mill-Park.aspx
https://www.traveliowa.com/trails/middle-raccoon-river-water-trail/87/
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Guthrie/Park/Middle-Raccoon-River-Access.aspx
Historical Events and the Middle Raccoon
Historical Events and the Middle Raccoon
? - Mound Builders inhabited Iowa (mounds can still be found in Springbrook State Park)
1673 - Marquette and Joliet reach Iowa (Mississippi River)
? to 1800s - several tribes of native peoples inhabited Iowa; forced re-location of native peoples
1850s - EuroAmerican settlement of Iowa (great migration); conversion of forests and prairies into plowed fields
1851 - City of Panora established
1852 - Reese Mill (dam) constructed near Panora
1850s - Redfield (originally New Ireland) established along Middle Raccoon River
1850s - 17,000,000 acres of public land in Iowa transferred to speculators and homesteaders
1864 - Carrolton (now Coon Rapids) established and grist mill built on Middle Raccoon
1877 - Lenon Mill (dam) constructed on south edge of Panora
1892 - First gasoline powered tractor
1913 - Lowhead dam constructed on the west side of Redfield
1950s - Garst and Thomas Seed expanded into major businesses in Coon Rapids
1969 - Lake Panorama constructed near Panora on Middle Raccoon
1970s - 2000 - (dates approximate) land entered into public wildlife areas along Middle Raccoon
1993 - Historic flooding
2004 - Whiterock Conservancy organized (public/private partnership; 5000 acres) from land donated by the Garst family
Images of the Middle Raccoon
Images of the Middle Raccoon
Look at the following pictures. What do you see? What do they tell you about the relationship of people to the river? Do you see things that raise more questions?
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