Burlington Home for Sale and Community Information

Burlington is a city in Iowa and the county seat of Des Moines County.  It is located about 50 miles southwest of the Quad Cities and 140 miles east-southeast of Des Moines.  Burlington is the center of a metropolitan area including West Burlington and Middletown, Iowa; and Gulf Port, Illinois. 

Brief History

Prior to the American settlement, the area was neutral territory for the Sac and Fox Indians, who called it “Shoquoquon” (Shok-ko-kon), meaning Flint Hills.

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson organized two parties of explorers to map the Louisiana Purchase.  Lewis and Clark followed the Missouri River, while Lt. Zebulon Pike followed the Mississippi River.  In 1805, Pike landed at the bluffs below Burlington and raised the United States Flag for the first time on Iowa soil.

In 1833, William R. Ross crossed the Mississippi River and established a General Store.  In November and December, he surveyed the land for Samuel White and David Tothero and they allowed the purchaser of the first lot, John Gray, to rechristen the town.  For $50, Gray named it after his hometown in Burlington, Vermont.

The Community

Burlington is located on the banks of the Mississippi River. The city covers an area of 14.8 square miles and has a population density of 1,734 people/square mile.

Burlington is home to Snake Alley, the crookedest alley in the world, its 5 mile one way climb is full of pure twists and turns.  The first backhoes rolled off the assembly line at the Burlington Backhoe plant in 1967, which is now the only plant in the United States that produces the Case Loader/Backhoe, giving Burlington the nickname “Backhoe Capital of the World”.  To see Burlington homes, Call Ruhl&Ruhl.

 

 Attractions and Entertainment

There are many activities to keep sports fans busy! Burlington is home to the Burlington Bees baseball team, a member of the Class A Midwest League.  34 Raceway in West Burlington is host to weekly auto racing events through the spring, summer and fall.  Burlington also hosts the Snake Alley Criterium, one of the most physically challenging races in the Midwest.  The annual event is held on a 15-block course, with differences in elevation from 555 feet to 678 feet.  The course is entirely on city streets, mostly in the downtown commercial area.

Another event Burlington is famous for is their Annual Steamboat Days, an annual June Musical festival held on the Burlington riverfront.  To see real estate in Burlington, call Ruhl&Ruhl today.

 Getting To and From

Highways:
U.S. Route 34
U.S. Route 61
Air Travel:
Southeast Iowa Regional Airport (5 miles)
Air Choice One (commercial)
Quad City International Airport (70 miles)
Bus Travel:
Amtrak
Burlington Urban Service (B.U.S.)

If you have decided to search for real estate in Burlington, contact Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS.