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The History of Durant, Iowa
Our History
1835 | David W Walton, first settler in this vicinity, which later becomes Durant.
1853 | The Mississippi and Missouri Railroad come to Iowa and survey across the northern part of Muscatine county.
1854 | Benjamin Brayton, a civil engineer for the Rock Island Railroad, comes to the area to negotiate railroad business. Brayton with friends, John Dix and Thomas Durant, change the course of the railroad to go through Cedar County. A town is laid out and platted by Brayton and Mr. Durant donates $800.00 for the erection of a schoolhouse. Brayton names the new town “Durant” in honor of his esteemed friend. Village well dug in June 1854.
1855 | Durant is recorded as a town June 27, 1855. First building in town erected by James Young, a carpenter, in August. Shortly thereafter the hotel and depot were built.
1858 | First schoolhouse built in the Spring of 1858.
1867 | Durant is incorporated on July 5th, Mr. Allen Nesbitt is elected as first Mayor.
1835 | David W Walton, first settler in this vicinity, which later becomes Durant.
1853 | The Mississippi and Missouri Railroad come to Iowa and survey across the northern part of Muscatine county.
1854 | Benjamin Brayton, a civil engineer for the Rock Island Railroad, comes to the area to negotiate railroad business. Brayton with friends, John Dix and Thomas Durant, change the course of the railroad to go through Cedar County. A town is laid out and platted by Brayton and Mr. Durant donates $800.00 for the erection of a schoolhouse. Brayton names the new town “Durant” in honor of his esteemed friend. Village well dug in June 1854.
1855 | Durant is recorded as a town June 27, 1855. First building in town erected by James Young, a carpenter, in August. Shortly thereafter the hotel and depot were built.
1858 | First schoolhouse built in the Spring of 1858.
1867 | Durant is incorporated on July 5th, Mr. Allen Nesbitt is elected as first Mayor.
Tri-County Heritage/Genealogy Museum
We are happy to announce that the Tri-County Heritage/Genealogy Museum has found a home at 820 5th Street in Durant (next to the post office).
Hours
The museum hours are Wednesdays from 3:00pm – 7:00pm, and Saturdays from 10:00am – 2:00pm.
Donations
If you have items you would like to donate to the museum, you may contact Charlie Wuestenberg at 563.785.6090.
Sign up for Cedar County Emergency Alerts
In the event of an emergency or severe weather, an alert will be sent to the phone number and/or email address provided by voice, text and/or email.