The story
from WikipediaRead it all ↗Sabula was established in 1835 when, according to legend, Isaac Dorman crossed the river from the Illinois side on a log and decided to settle on the present site of Sabula. Sabula is a name of French origin meaning "sand"; this refers to the sandy soil of the area.
In the late 19th century the principal industries in the community included a large "pearl button" factory—which produced buttons from clam shells harvested from large clam beds located in the river adjacent to the shoreline. (The factory is no longer there.) The thriving community also supported a large hog slaughtering industry.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
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The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Sabula’s history is told.
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2000
CommonsSabula, Iowa from the Mississippi River 062018
CommonsSabula, Iowa from the Mississippi River 052018
CommonsSabula, Iowa from the Mississippi River 042018
CommonsSabula, Iowa from the Mississippi River 032018
CommonsSabula, Iowa from the Mississippi River 022018
CommonsSabula, Iowa from the Mississippi River 012018
CommonsSabula City Hall2014
CommonsJohn S. Dominy House2014
CommonsJeremiah Wood House2014
CommonsIAMap-doton-Sabula20042 historic places in Sabula
2 places in Sabula are on the National Register of Historic Places, the country’s official list of buildings and places worth saving.
Where they are
Architectural styles
When they were listed
Then & now
When neighbors add old photos, retakes from the same spot appear here side by side.
Stories next door
nearby towns’ historyFrom Wikimedia Commons (10) and the National Register (2). Images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.