How Eastern Iowa Towns Were Named
North Liberty

Martha J. Bowman, teacher of the first graded school here, had the privilege of choosing a name for this town, which was laid out in October of 1857.  Her selection, North Liberty, was no doubt influenced by the fact that this section was once known as North Bend.  Miss Bowman was the daughter of Frances Bowman, part owner of the original town plat, who named the township Penn, in hone of William Penn.  At one time this place was known as Squash Bend.  This name originated from the story of a doctor Josiah Crawford, who hard pushed for money, moved here, broke a few acres and planted corn, pumpkin, and squash, the sold sustenance of his family for months.