Muscatine

Muscatine, city, seat (1837) of Muscatine county, eastern Iowa, U.S., on the Mississippi River, 32 miles (51 km) southwest of Davenport. The first settlers arrived in 1834, and a trading post was established the following year. It was originally called Bloomington but was renamed (1850), probably for the Mascoutin Indians; mascoutin is thought to have meant “burning island” or “fiery nation,” possibly in reference to nearby Muscatine Island. The writer Mark Twain lived in the city briefly in 1854.

Muscatine Island is noted for its experimental farm (operated by Iowa State University) and for its melons and vegetables. The city’s industry is diversified and includes the manufacture of office furniture, plastics, metal products, and processed food. The city’s once distinctive pearl button industry (using mussel shells from the Mississippi) has declined since the advent of plastics, but its history is preserved in the city’s Pearl Button Museum. Fairport Fish Hatchery is 8 miles (13 km) north. The city is home to Muscatine Community College (1929) and Muscatine Art Center, which is housed in a 1908 Edwardian-style mansion. Wildcat Den State Park is along the Mississippi about 10 miles (16 km) to the east. Inc. town, 1839; city, 1851. Pop. (2000) 22,697; (2010) 22,886.