For Students:
Quick Facts Scavenger Hunt A Prairie Problem
Build A Prairie Who Was Albert Lea? History Detective
Mystery Photo Albert's Great Adventure

"The general appearance of the country is one of great beauty. It may be represented as one grand rolling prairie, along one side of which flows the mightiest river in the world, and through which numerous navigable streams pursue their devious way towards the ocean. In every part of this whole District, beautiful rivers and creeks are to be found, whose transparent waters are perpetually renewed by the springs from which they flow. Many of these streams are connected with lakes; and hence their supply of water is remarkably uniform throughout the seasons. All these rivers, creeks, and lakes are skirted by woods, often several miles in width, affording shelter from intense cold or heat to the animals that may there take refuge from the contiguous prairies."

From: "Iowa District of the Wisconsin Territory" in The Book that Gave Iowa its Name, A reprint, Published at Iowa City Iowa in 1935 by the state Historical Society of Iowa. Used with permission.

You may enjoy reading more biographical information about Albert M. Lea. Following his 1835 journey through Iowa, he also wrote a memoir of his journey and later published his Notes on the Wisconsin Territory; Particularly with Reference to the Iowa District, or the Black Hawk Purchase. These documents provide an abundance of information about Iowa in 1835 in the actual words of Albert M. Lea.

  For Students:
Quick Facts Scavenger Hunt A Prairie Problem
Build A Prairie Who Was Albert Lea? History Detective
Mystery Photo Albert's Great Adventure