Burlington, Iowa Welcomes You

The Stars and Stripes Chapter, the seventh in Iowa, was officially chartered April 28, 1897, at the home of Edith Crapo.   Mrs. Alice Little, last of the twenty-one charter members, died in 1964 at the age of 101.

The following article with no masthead included, published in a local Burlington newspaper, recounts a Chapter meeting during the organizational process:
"Stars and Stripes Chapter was organized on January 20, 1897, and the name chosen and constitution adopted January 23.  On February 22, there being fourteen members, the first programme meeting was held at the home of Miss [Edith] Crapo, our indefatigable young Regent, who has given unlimited time and thought and energy to the forming of this Chapter.  The parlor was draped with flags, and the tea table trimmed with patriotic colors and appropriate flowers.  Tiny flags were presented to the members, and to each flag was tied a cord bearing some stirring extract from Washington's writings or addresses."

The 100th Anniversary celebration banquet commemorating the signing of the Stars and Stripes Chapter Charter, was held April 28, 1997, exactly 100 years to the day at the First Christian Church, Burlington, Iowa.  Joining Chapter Regent DiAnne Lerud-Chubb, Honored Chapter Daughter Marjorie Stoikovic and other members of Stars and Stripes were State Regent Dione Norris, State Vice Regent Rosemary Fichter, State Registrar Maria Whetsler, and District Directors Michelle Juehring, Neva Witmer and Myrna Elliott.  

Throughout the years, the Chapter has supported projects of the National and State Societies and endeavors to perpetuate the memory of history-making events by placing bronze markers at local sites of historical significance.  

Historical markers have been placed by the Stars and Stripes Chapter at the following Des Moines County sites:

• Stagecoach Depot at Jimtown Road, 2 miles west of Danville on US Highway 34.
• Lt. Zebulon Pike¹s Landing, Crapo Park in Burlington, overlooking the Mississippi River.  Pike unfurled the Stars & Stripes August 23, 1805.  Organizing Stars and Stripes Regent Edith Crapo was a member of the Crapo family for which Crapo Park was named.
• Blackhawk Springs, Crapo Park in Burlington, overlooking the Mississippi River.  Named for the Sauk warrior leader Black Hawk.
• First Legislative Assembly of Iowa Territory, west side of 3rd Street between Washington and Columbia Streets in Burlington.
• Pathway of the Pioneers, in front of Washington School at Agency and Curran Streets in Burlington.  Wagons circled west on this hilltop, Agency Hill.
• Solar Eclipse of 1869, South Hill Park at 7th and Elm Streets in Burlington.
• James Wilson Grimes Homesite, 700 Pine Street in Burlington.  Grimes was a prominent lawyer and legislator.
• Seven Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Des Moines County, a bronze plaque is located at the Des Moines County Court House in Burlington.

	Luther Bailey 1762-1839 burial site-an abandoned graveyard or moved to Aspen Grove
	Daniel Bean 1763-1840 burial site unknown
	William Blair 1760-1840 buried in Round Prairie Cemetery, Yellow Springs Township, Des Moines County
	Peter Gearhart 1764-1850 buried in Spring Creek Cemetery now part of the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant
	John McDonald 1753-1844 buried in Franklin Mills Cemetery five miles north of Burlington
	John Morgan 1758-1843 moved to Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington
	Frederick Ware 1762-1848 buried in Kossuth Cemetery, Yellow Springs Township, Des Moines County