Montrose developed as a small river community, with its location along the Mississippi River historically contributing to local commerce and transportation. Landmarks include St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. Montrose is the birthplace of Nedra Volz, actress.
Montrose, Iowa gifts and souvenirs: 24 designs made from Montrose's own map, landmarks and history, from $10 to $95. Printed to order and shipped free in the USA.
| Popular | Price |
|---|---|
| Montrose Hometown Ornament | $23 |
| Montrose Vintage Travel Poster | from $40 |
| Montrose Varsity Crewneck | from $57 |
| Montrose Est. Tee | from $33 |
| Montrose Town Line Mug | from $26 |
| Montrose Market Tote | $37 |
Ceramic keepsake, gold ribbon, in 4 styles
Its landmark photo in a classic travel-poster layout
A local landmark photo as a gallery print
The town's story in dates, from its own records, for home or classroom
Map of local landmarks, washable fabric
Heavy-blend fleece, street map printed on the back
Red heavy-blend crewneck, knit-stitch town print
Soft Bella+Canvas jersey
Kids' Bella+Canvas jersey, youth sizes
Bella+Canvas toddler jersey
Bella+Canvas baby bodysuit
Glossy ceramic, dishwasher safe
Weatherproof, for the front walk
24″×16″, printed coir-look fibers, rubber back
12″×12″ printed wood, ready to hang
Soft-touch, zip cover
A local landmark photo with the town name, 18″×18″
Sturdy all-over-print tote
Glossy top, cork back
Soft fleece, 50″×60″
20 oz, double-wall stainless
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
The town's earliest Sanborn fire-insurance map, drawn building by building and hand-coloured, from the Library of Congress
From the Library of Congress collections: a historic survey drawing or photograph of the town
Population 2010: 898 → 2020: 738
From Wikidata (CC0).
The area around Montrose has been occupied continuously since at least the 1780s, when Quashquame's village was established nearby. The area was strategically important because it is at the head of the Des Moines Rapids, a major impediment to river traffic that caused large boats to land in this area and transfer freight overland to avoid the rapids. Montrose was the location of Fort Des Moines No. 1, a military post from 1834 to 1837. In 1836 the commander of Fort Des Moines, Lieutenant-Colonel Mason, would begin to plat out the town. Later that year David W. Kilbourne would finish laying out the town, and would name it Montrose. From 1839 to 1846 Montrose was the home of many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This was primarily significant in 1839 when many people lived in an abandoned barracks at Montrose that served as a good short term residence while homes were being built in nearby Nauvoo, Illinois. Among Montrose's residents at this time were Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff and Erastus Snow. Despite legends that the streets of Montrose were aligned to allow a direct view of the Nauvoo Temple across the Mississippi River in Illinois, the streets actually align with the 1834 layout of Fort Des Moines.
Montrose was incorporated in 1857, with Doctor J. Anderson elected the first mayor in June. Montrose became an important river town until the construction of a canal near Keokuk ended the lightering business.
Adapted (trimmed) from the Wikipedia article Montrose, Iowa, revision 1377769853 by its contributors, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
We share a part of every Montrose sale with local partners, and we'd love to print from your collection. Old photographs, maps and postcards make the best keepsakes.
Partner with usA favorite landmark, your street, a school or team, an anniversary gift, a different product. Tell us and we'll get back to you by email.
2 free coloring pages of Montrose, each traced from a photo of a local landmark. Print them at home, at school or for story hour.
Montrose's population was 738 in the 2020 U.S. Census, down from 898 in 2010.
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
A view of Montrose