Here are the five most unique fun facts about Muscatine and its history:
How Muscatine got it’s Name
Muscatine is unique in that it is a city whose name is not shared with any other – either in the U.S. or the world. The origins of the name are still debated by historians. Many believe that the name comes from the Mascoutin Native American tribe who were the original caretakers of this area of land in the 18th century. It is said that the name Mascoutin means ‘fiery nation’.
The Pearl Button Capital of the World
Buttons on high-end fashion jackets and shirts used to be made from pearl, and few people know that Muscatine used to be the largest producer of pearl buttons in the world. Creating 37% of the entire world’s button supply, Muscatine would produce 1.5 billion buttons annually until the industry fell to the development and mass production of plastic buttons. However, the history of their pearl button production earned Muscatine the title of the Pearl Button Capital of the World and the city slogan “Pearl of the Mississippi”. Check out the Muscatine Pinterest page for more information on the pearl button making process.
Mark Twain and the Muscatine Journal
Muscatine is especially proud of one of its most prominent residents, Mark Twain. Twain spent a summer here in Muscatine in 1855 where he wrote for The Muscatine Journal, our local newspaper, and revered at the sunsets over the Mississippi. In Twain’s book, Life on the Mississippi, he writes, “And I remember Muscatine—still more pleasantly—for its summer sunsets. I have never seen any, on either side of the ocean, that equaled them.”Ben Hershey and the Lumber Industry
Lumber and woodworking have continually been major industries in the Muscatine area. One of the early businessmen in this industry was multimillionaire Ben Hershey who was known as the “Lumber King”. When Lutheran living was first founded, he owned much of the land in the Muscatine area. The Reinemund family, Lutheran Living’s Founders, reached out to Hershey when the time came to build a facility. After his death, his family granted the Reinemund family their summer home which sat on five acres of land. With renovations, this became the site where Lutheran Living currently resides.A Foodie’s Haven along the Mississippi
Present day Muscatine is home to a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars making it a great place for dining. From Thai to Mexican to Italian, Muscatine offers it all in terms of food choices and is a perfect place to take the family for dinner. Our top restaurant choices are Salvatore’s Risorante, Boonie’s On the Avenue, and Tantra Thai Bistro.There is a rich history in Muscatine, and Lutheran Living is proud to be a part of it. To learn more about our history, read one of our older blogs, Compassionate Care and Service: A History of Lutheran Living.
