City of Luzerne
Events In Early History of Luzerne
The town of Luzerne, Iowa owes its founding to the Chicago nd Nortwestern Railroad Company. In 1859 the railroad was expanded as far west as Cedar Rapids. The following year the railroad was built as far west as Buckeye, half way between Belle Plaine and Luzerne. This was the end of the line for some time and before the founding of either of the two towns.
How Luzerne Got Its Name
Luzerne was named by the president of the railroad. He was on an inspection trip for the new station, after a recent trip to Europe. When he saw the rolling hills and valleys they reminded him of Lucerne, Switzerland. When he learned the town had not been named he suggested it. It was then adopted by the town.
Hotel Proprietors Suffer Shipwreck
May 7, 1875, Mr. & Mrs. Jones, of Luzerne, were passengers aboard the steamship SS Schiller when it wrecked on a reef enroute to Hamburg, Germany.
In thick fog, the ship didn’t see the Bishop Rock Lighthouse and hit the reefs and caused the ship to break apart. Many of the lifeboats were shattered when the ship hit the rocks. Only two lifeboats with 27 people made it to shore with 6 more survivors found among the wreckage.
Out of the 254 passengers & 118 crew members, only 37 survived. Mrs. Jones was the only female. There is a book called The Victorian Titanic that tells of the ordeal.
Telegraph Comes to Luzerne
In April of 1875, the railroad placed a telegraph office in Luzerne's Depot.
Gas Street Lights
In 1876, gas street lights were installed in Luzerne.
Mayor: John Brandt
Phone: 319-434-6436
Council Member: Dwight Glinsmann
Phone: 319-434-3167
Council Member: Kelly Kendall
Phone: 319-444-3501
Council Member: Lorin Potter
Phone: 319-434-6328
Council Member: Patrick McLeod
Phone: 319-310-5725
Council Member: Barb Shields
Phone: 319-444-3670
City Clerk: Jan Kendall
Phone: 319-444-3501
Fire Chief: Dan Martin
Phone: 319-444-3649