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Famous Residents
Zebulon Pike was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on January
5, 1779. At an early age he joined the army. In 1803 Pike was commissioned
by President Thomas Jefferson to explore and map a portion of the Louisiana
Purchase. Lieutenant Pike and his expedition followed the Mississippi
River north to explore its path. In 1805 Pike landed on the current day
shores of Burlington where he flew the American flag for the first time
on Iowa soil. Pike later went on to explore other areas of the United
States and Pike’s Peak, Colorado, is named for him. He died April
27, 1813, while serving in the War of 1812.