Emmetsburg in Palo Alto County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Site of Original Town of Emmetsburg

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2016

1. Site of Original Town of Emmetsburg Marker

Inscription. Site of Original Town of Emmetsburg,
founded in 1858 by Irish Colony
and
named for Robert Emmet Irish Patriot
town moved to present site in 1874.

Erected in 1975 by
Palo Alto County Historical Society

Erected 1975 by Palo Alto County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 43° 7.436′ N, 94° 42.116′ W. Marker is in Emmetsburg, Iowa, in Palo Alto County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of U.S. 18 and Reeves Street (College Drive), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located on farm property, beside the driveway, about 200 yards west of US Highway 18. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Emmetsburg IA 50536, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Dragoon Trail Historical Site Marker No. 11 (approx. 1.1 miles away); Robert Emmet (approx. 1½ miles away); Paddy Horan Solberg (approx. 1½ miles away); Milwaukee Depot (approx. 1.6 miles away); Palo Alto County Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Emmetsburg, Iowa (Wikipedia)

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. The town was originally settled by immigrants during the Great Famine of Ireland between 1845 and 1852. Emmetsburg was named after the Dublin-born Irish nationalist Robert Emmet, who was executed at 25 for leading an 1803 rebellion against the British. The city was incorporated on November 17, 1877. (Submitted on December 5, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. The Vast History of Emmetsburg. In 1856, a group of Irish immigrant families settled near the geographic center of Palo Alto County, attracted to the fertile land of Northwest Iowa. They established a frontier Irish colony in Palo Alto County on the banks of the Des Moines River near the present site of Emmetsburg. In 1858, attempts were made by Hollihan, Cahill, and Cavenaugh, who came from Fort Dodge, to stake out a town. Hollihan wanted the town named after Robert Emmet, the Irish patriot who in 1803 was executed by the English government in Ireland’s fight for independence. (Submitted on December 5, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Robert Emmet (Wikipedia). Robert Emmet was an Irish Republican, and Irish nationalist patriot, orator and rebel leader. After leading an abortive rebellion against British rule in 1803 he was captured then tried and executed for high treason against

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2016

2. Site of Original Town of Emmetsburg Marker

the British King George III of Great Britain and Ireland. (Submitted on December 5, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2016

3. Site of Original Town of Emmetsburg Marker

(about 200 yards west of US Highway 18, on farm property)

Site of Original Town of Emmetsburg Marker location image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2016

4. Site of Original Town of Emmetsburg Marker location

(turn west from US Highway 18 here to access marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 344 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 5, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.