Alexander MacGregor & the Historic Rivertowns of McGregor/Marquette
The story of the historic river towns of McGregor and Marquette, Iowa, is inextricably linked to the vision and enterprise of one man: Alexander MacGregor. Born into Scottish royalty on May 23, 1804, Alexander MacGregor’s journey from a New York farm to a pivotal figure in the development of the American Midwest is a testament to the allure of the frontier and the ambition that drove its pioneers. His legacy lives on in the very names of these towns, etched into the landscape of the Mississippi River Valley.
Early Life and Western Ambitions
Alexander MacGregor spent his formative years on his family’s farm in Wilson Junction, New York. For 28 years, the rhythms of agricultural life defined his existence. However, like many young men of his era, the call of the West proved irresistible. In 1832, he arrived in Chicago, then a fledgling village clustered around Fort Dearborn, a far cry from the metropolis it would become.
In Chicago, Alexander MacGregor briefly engaged in land speculation, partnering with friends to form "Land Company No. 1." The company purportedly acquired a large tract of land from the government and subdivided it into lots for resale. However, historical records from Chicago and Cook County lack definitive confirmation of this venture or Alexander MacGregor’s involvement.
Regardless of the veracity of this early business endeavor, Alexander MacGregor’s entrepreneurial spirit and westward inclination remained undeterred. By 1834, he had moved further west to the newly opened government lands in present-day Aurora, Illinois. There, he claimed approximately 2,400 acres of timberland. He improved the land and quickly sold it in 160-acre tracts, demonstrating a keen understanding of land value and a knack for profitable transactions.
Prairie du Chien and the Ferry Property
In 1835, Alexander MacGregor once again heeded the westward pull, arriving at the French settlement of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Situated near the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, Prairie du Chien was a strategic location for trade and transportation. Unlike his fleeting ventures in Chicago and Aurora, Alexander MacGregor found a community where he could establish roots and make a lasting impact.
In 1836, Alexander MacGregor recognized the need for a reliable river crossing. He assisted in preparing a boat for crossing the Mississippi River from Fort Crawford, adjacent to Prairie du Chien. Recognizing the potential for a ferry service, he partnered with businessmen Thomas Burnett and James Lockwood to purchase a portion of a Spanish land claim. This land, initially called "The Ferry Property," marked the beginning of Alexander MacGregor’s enduring connection to the Iowa side of the Mississippi River.
The history of the land itself is rich with exploration and territorial claims. In June 1673, French Jesuit missionary Father Jacques Marquette and trader Louis Joliet were the first Europeans to document the land. Later, in 1800, the "Giard Tract" land grant was awarded to Basil Giard, one of three Spanish land grants in Iowa. By 1837, Giard’s heirs had transferred their shares to Lockwood and Burnett. Collaborating with Burnett, Alexander MacGregor acquired additional land to protect the ferry operation from potential competition, ensuring its long-term viability.
Establishing McGregor’s Landing
While Alexander MacGregor initially resided on the Wisconsin side of the river, he played a crucial role in facilitating settlement on the Iowa side. In 1841, James King, the first ferryman, established his residence on the Iowa side, assuming responsibility for the nascent ferry service. King’s presence marked the beginning of permanent settlement in the area that would become McGregor. Upon King’s death in 1872, an obituary lauded him as "McGregor’s oldest citizen and first white occupant of the ground on which the city was built… He was a quiet, much-esteemed citizen and a favorite pioneer."
In 1843, Alexander MacGregor married Ann Gardner, solidifying his commitment to the region. Four years later, in 1847, the couple crossed the river from Prairie du Chien to the burgeoning settlement, where they raised their family. They had four sons, but tragically, two died in infancy.
That same year, 1847, the settlement, then known as MacGregor’s Landing, was gaining momentum as a river community. A decade later, in 1857, it was officially incorporated as the town of McGregor. The town quickly evolved into a significant commercial hub, capitalizing on its strategic location on the Mississippi River.
A Boomtown on the Mississippi
1857 was a pivotal year for the region. The Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad extended its line to Prairie du Chien, forging a crucial link between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. Furthermore, railroads were constructed westward from McGregor, with North McGregor (now Marquette) serving as the western rail terminus. This unique arrangement required trains arriving from the west to be disassembled, ferried across the river, and reassembled to continue their journey eastward to Lake Michigan. This intricate logistical operation created numerous jobs and fueled the town’s growth.
Alexander MacGregor died in December 1858 at the age of 54, leaving behind a thriving community that bore his name. His wife, Ann, remained a resident of McGregor until her death in 1890, witnessing the continued growth and transformation of the town her husband helped establish.
During its peak, the population of McGregor swelled to over 5,500 residents. In the 1870s, it reigned as the busiest shipping port west of Chicago, a testament to its strategic location and the industriousness of its inhabitants. The town boasted 120 businesses, with 20 dedicated to the shipping of grain and goods. McGregor provided everything necessary for settlers venturing westward and travelers passing through, solidifying its role as a vital commercial center.
Steamboat traffic was the lifeblood of McGregor’s early prosperity. Between 1871 and 1872, over 400,000 bushels of wheat, barley, oats, and corn were shipped from the city via the Mississippi River. During the same period, city scales weighed 20,000 hogs, resulting in the production of five million pounds of pork. The river was a highway of commerce, and McGregor was a bustling port of call.
Decline and Enduring Legacy
The era of steamboat dominance was eventually eclipsed by advancements in transportation technology. Improved highway transportation and the expansion of the railroad network gradually reduced the reliance on river transport. In 1874, Prairie du Chien businessman John Lawler commissioned the construction of a permanent pontoon bridge to connect the two cities by rail. This eliminated the need to disassemble trains for river crossing, resulting in the loss of numerous jobs and a subsequent decline in McGregor’s population. That same year, North McGregor was incorporated, later renamed Marquette in 1920, marking a shift in economic activity.
The ferries that had once been essential to the town’s existence gradually faded into history. Three ferries – the Wanamingo, Lorese, and Rob Roy – diligently transported goods and passengers across the Mississippi, making up to eight trips daily. These vessels, vital to the town’s early development, were replaced by a suspension bridge in 1932. However, this bridge was officially closed and dismantled in the mid-1970s, replaced by the Marquette-Joliet Memorial Bridge in 1974.
Today, McGregor and Marquette retain their historic charm, serving as reminders of a bygone era of river commerce and westward expansion. While the population of McGregor is less than a thousand, the nationally registered historic downtown district boasts numerous buildings constructed during its boom years. The legacy of Alexander MacGregor and the town he helped found lives on. As a river town on the Mississippi, McGregor has evolved into a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors with its scenic beauty and rich history.
The area is renowned for its proximity to Native American "Effigy Mounds," ancient earthworks shaped like animals and other figures, offering a glimpse into the region’s pre-Columbian past. Pike’s Peak State Park provides stunning panoramic views of the Mississippi River Valley, while the Driftless Area, characterized by its deeply carved river valleys and unique geological formations, attracts outdoor enthusiasts. McGregor has also become a haven for artists, drawn to its inspiring landscape and historic atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy live local music, fine dining, and a palpable sense of history that permeates the town. The name Alexander MacGregor is still seen and heard.
McGregor is a testament to the vision of Alexander MacGregor, the enduring spirit of its pioneers, and the transformative power of the Mississippi River. A visit to McGregor and Marquette is a journey into the heart of the American Midwest, where history and natural beauty converge. Alexander MacGregor helped to build a long-lasting town and riverport. The historical value of Alexander MacGregor and the town he helped build can not be overstated.
