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Council Bluffs, Iowa

Located in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Council Bluffs was established in 1846. Lincoln designated Council Bluffs as the eastern terminus of the transcontinental railroad. Called Kanesville when it was a major stop on the Mormon Trail.
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Founded 1846 | Population 63,000 | Peak 63,000 (2024) | County Pottawattamie County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Council Bluffs, Iowa

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1846 Mormon Trail: Kanesville — major Mormon way station.
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1863 Transcontinental Railroad: Lincoln designates eastern terminus.
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1995 Casino Development: Riverboat and casino gaming.
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2010 Modern Era: Council Bluffs continued to develop as part of the region, with new infrastructure and community amenities.
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Latest News in Council Bluffs

May 9, 2016
Struggling Republican Bush Brings Out Big Gun his Mom
Washington, D.C. – In a bid to revive his flagging presidential campaign, Jeb Bush turned to an unlikely ally on May 9, 2016…
Apr 17, 2016
Bill Clinton Hits Iowa Democratic Primary Intensifies
IOWA CITY, Iowa — On April 17, 2016, former President Bill Clinton hit the campaign trail in Iowa, stumping hard for his wife, H…
Mar 13, 2016
Poll Clinton Regains Lead Battleground State Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa (March 13, 2016) — Hillary Clinton bounced back in a big way this week, reclaiming the lead in Iowa according t…
Feb 27, 2016
Hillary Clinton Barely Wins Iowa Caucus Virtual Tie Bernie Sanders
DES MOINES, Iowa – Hillary Clinton eked out a razor-thin victory in the Iowa Democratic Caucus on February 1, 2016, leaving the …
Feb 24, 2016
Knoxville Iowa Refuses Remove Display Soldier Kneeling Cross
Knoxville, Iowa – In a small Iowa town that often flies under the radar, residents dug in their heels last week over a memorial …
Feb 6, 2016
Donald Trump Says Ted Cruz Canadian Owned Goldman Sachs
New Hampshire, February 6, 2016 – In the thick of the Republican presidential primary, Donald Trump didn’t hold back as he…

Complete Historical Timeline

1846 Culture
Mormon Trail
1863 Transport
Transcontinental Railroad
1995 Business
Casino Development
2010 Culture
Modern Era

Did You Know?

1
Lincoln designated Council Bluffs as the eastern terminus of the transcontinental railroad.
2
Called Kanesville when it was a major stop on the Mormon Trail.
3
Twin city with Omaha across the Missouri River.
4
Council Bluffs is located in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
5
Council Bluffs was founded in 1846.

Famous People from Council Bluffs, Iowa

LF
Lee de Forest
Engineer, Physicist · Born Aug 26, 1873 · Died Jun 30, 1961 (age 87)
AF
Art Farmer
Composer, Trumpeter · Born Aug 21, 1928 · Died Oct 4, 1999 (age 71)
HL
Harry Langdon
Screenwriter, Comedian · Born Jun 15, 1884 · Died Dec 22, 1944 (age 60)
ES
Ernest B. Schoedsack
Screenwriter, Actor · Born Jun 8, 1893 · Died Dec 23, 1979 (age 86)
TG
Thomas Gilman
Amateur Wrestler · Born May 28, 1994 · Age 31

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A
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