Our History

How Did Durant Get Its Name?

In 1854, Benjamin B. Brayton, a civil engineer employed by the Rock Island Railroad, came to town to negotiate railroad business. During this time, Mr. Brayton laid out and platted the town. It was then that Mr. Thomas C. Durant, a close friend of Mr. Brayton's, announced that he would donate $800 to be used for the construction of a schoolhouse for the children of this community. To honor this contribution, Mr. Brayton named this new town "Durant" in honor of his esteemed friend.

Railway Station, 1950

Courtesy of University of Iowa Special Collections