City of Tama

The old railroad town of Tama, Iowa (pop. 3,130) is best known for its Lincoln Highway bridge. Built in 1915, it is the only Lincoln Highway bridge in the United States with the lettering still inscribed in the railings. The Lincoln Highway was the first transcontinental highway to travel from New York to California.

HISTORY

Tama County was formed in 1843 and is named for Chief Taimah, the 19th century Meskwaki leader. Taimah roughly translated to "man who makes rocks tremble." Tama is located a few miles from the Meskwaki Settlement, Iowa's only significant Native American community. Tama was located on the historic Lincoln Highway and is home to an original Lincoln Highway bridge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.