Crawfordsville in Washington County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Beginning of National Republican Party

Iowa 150 Celebrate Our State 1846 • 1996

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021

1. Beginning of National Republican Party Marker

Inscription. Delegates to meetings in Seceder Church and House of All Nations in February, 1854, opposed slavery and drew up resolutions which began National Republican Party.

Erected 1996 by Washington County Sesquicentennial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1854.

Location. 41° 12.846′ N, 91° 32.296′ W. Marker is in Crawfordsville, Iowa, in Washington County. It is on East Columbus Street just east of North Main Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crawfordsville IA 52621, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Settler's Home in Washington County

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(here, next to this marker); The Old Military Road (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 7½ miles away); Farmers Union Exchange (approx. 7.6 miles away); The Dala Horse (approx. 7.6 miles away); Winfield Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.9 miles away); Jonathan Clark Conger House (approx. 9½ miles away); Rock Island Lines (approx. 9½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crawfordsville.

Also see . . .
1. Crawfordsville, Iowa (Wikipedia). The first private meeting of what would become the Republican Party came when Whig Party defectors met privately in Crawfordsville in February, 1854. The meeting was to lay the groundwork for the creation of a new political party. The first public meeting was held in Ripon, Wisconsin one month later. (Submitted on June 28, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. February 23, 1854. Representatives of several organizations met in Crawfordsville to oppose the extension of slavery. This meeting is seen as the formation of the Republican Party, which included representatives of the

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021

2. Beginning of National Republican Party Marker

(looking west along East Columbus Street • stop sign at North Main Street in background)

Liberty Party, The Free Soilers, and other organiations who were bitter opponents to slavery. (Submitted on June 28, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Birthplace of the Republican Party image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021

3. Birthplace of the Republican Party

(large sign posted at Crawfordsville city entrance on East Columbus Street at U.S. Highway 218)
Birthplace
of the
Republican Party
February 23rd, 1854
ThoughtCo. website entry:
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 765 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 27, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on June 28, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.