Wagons line a street in Iowa City in 1854, a seismic time for the city’s growth. It had around 1,250 residents in 1850 but grew to more than 5,200 within a decade. The settlement built by the Iowa River was chosen as the territorial capital of Iowa in 1839 and seven years on, Iowa became the USA's 29th state when it was formally admitted to the Union on December 28, 1846. Iowa City lost its capital status in 1857, though, when it was replaced by Des Moines.

Discover the best historic attraction in every US state

These are some of earliest photos taken in every US state