1803Culture
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson organized two parties of explorers to map the Louisiana Purchase.
1805Military
In 1805, Pike landed at the bluffs below Burlington and raised the United States Flag for the first time on what would become Iowa soil and recommended construction of a fort.
1829Government
The American Fur Company of John Jacob Astor established a post in the area in 1829.
1833History
Settlement began in 1833, shortly after the Black Hawk Purchase, when Samuel (aka Simpson) White, Amzi Doolitle, and Morton M.
1834History
In the spring of 1834 they allowed John Gray, who purchased the first lot with his wife Eliza Jane, to rename the town for $50.
1837Government
In 1837, Burlington was designated the second territorial capital of the Wisconsin Territory.
1840Government
Orr, Governor of Nebraska and the first Republican woman governor
Matt Perisho, Major League Baseball player
Charles Elliott Perkins (1840–1907), railroad tycoon Chicago, Burlin...
1841History
Remey (1841–1928), rear admiral of the U.S.
1848Infrastructure
The "Burlington Route" (1848–1970) merged into the Burlington Northern Railroad (1970–1996), which in turn merged into the BNSF Railway (1997–present).
1849History
On May 22, 1849, Maj.
1874History
Navy
Mason Remey (1874–1974), religious leader of the American Baháʼí community
William Butler Remey (1842–1895), Judge Advocate General of the Navy, 1880–1892
George Scott III ...
1875History
Andreas wrote in 1875, White erected a cabin in the area, later platted to be Front Street between Court and High streets.
1885Crime
In April 1885, economist Henry George gave a speech titled "The Crime of Poverty" at the Burlington Knights of Labor local advocating for a citizen's dividend paid for by a land...
1889History
The Burlington Babies first began minor league play in the city in 1889.
1900Economy
Among the oldest businesses in Burlington, the Murray factory (now Murray Turbomachinery and owned by Dresser-Rand) which has been in operation in Burlington since before 1900, ...
1903Government
Mickey, 17th governor of Nebraska from 1903 to 1907
May Naudain (1881–1923), musical theatre and vaudeville singer
Robert Noyce, co-founder of Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel
...
1929Military
Howard (1929–1993), received the Medal of Honor in Vietnam
John Hurlburt (1898–1968), NFL player
James M.
1937Culture
Another long-lived business is Case Corporation, which has been at its current location on Des Moines Avenue, approximately a quarter-mile from the Mississippi River, since 1937.
1954Sports
Starker Leopold, zoologist, and conservationist
Everett Lindsay, NFL player
Steve Macko (1954–1981), baseball player with the Chicago Cubs
Arabella Mansfield, first female lawye...
1957Economy
The first backhoes rolled off the assembly line at the Burlington plant in 1957, which is now the only plant in the United States that produces the Case Loader/Backhoe, giving B...
1968Education
Burlington Community High School was constructed in 1968, and occupied the following year, with the first graduating class in June 1970.
1970History
In 1970, the community had its highest ever population.
1976Architecture
After purchasing Benner Tea, Aldi opened its first store in the United States at Burlington in 1976.
1977Architecture
Westland Mall opened in nearby West Burlington in 1977.
1984Architecture
It signed on August 2, 1984, from a tower on Winegard Drive.
1986Government
Initially an independent station, it became a charter FOX affiliate in 1986, but suffered from duplication from KLJB in the Quad Cities.
1996History
In 1996, the station became a full-time satellite of KLJB, and now operates as Quad Cities station KGCW.
2000History
=== 2000 census ===
As of the 2000 census, there were 26,839 people, 11,102 households, and 7,105 families residing in the city.
2003Infrastructure
Iowa Highways 99 and 406 served the town before they were decommissioned in 2003.
2005History
The Bees play at Community Field, which underwent extensive renovation in 2005.
2009Education
All are new buildings or have been recently completely rehabilitated, the newest, North Hill Elementary, received its first students in 2009, there are no elementary school buil...
2010History
=== 2010 census ===
As of the 2010 census, there were 25,663 people, 10,938 households, and 6,693 families residing in the city.
2012Civil Rights
In March 2012, the Des Moines Register reported that "Unemployment here is 7.6 percent, compared with the 5.4 percent state average".
2020History
=== Climate ===
== Demographics ==
=== 2020 census ===
As of the census of 2020, there were 23,982 people, 10,629 households, and 6,145 families residing in the city.
2022History
In 2022 Ben Jacobs of The New Republic wrote that the area's economy had more problems related to late 20th century globalization compared to that of Dubuque, Iowa.
2025Infrastructure
Burlington Trailways provided daily intercity bus service from its West Burlington hub, but it shut down in 2025.