How Close Did Iowa Come to Becoming "Mega-Iowa"?

Most Iowans know that the state was once part of the much larger 'Iowa Territory'. In fact, when it was formed in 1838, the Iowa Territory was over times larger the state's current size. But how and why was it broken up? And just how close did we get to having 'Mega Iowa' as a full blown state?

While the state's current borders may seem inevitable, they were the result of a political compromise that shrank its potential size by over two-thirds.

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On the 4th of July, 1838, the 'Iowa Territory' was officially established. But it looked much different than it does today. While the territory looked similar to the current state borders along the east and south, the north and west extended much deeper, into what are now the states of Minnesota, South Dakota and even North Dakota. Nearly 2/3 of Minnesota was within the Iowa Territory, while large swaths of the Dakotas were as well. All in all, the Iowa Territory encompassed over 194,000 square miles, dwarfing the current state of Iowa, which is around 56,000 square miles today.

Initially, the first capital of the Iowa Territory was in Burlington, in the far southeast of the territory. A few years later, the capital was moved to Iowa City, which remained the capital well into statehood.

As most Iowans know, Iowa became a state in 1846. So, why, in the 8 years between becoming a territory and statehood, did it shrink? Well, believe it or not, it was all about slavery.

While many in the territory had hoped to keep its borders the way they were, Washington D.C. inevitably got involved and changed things, considerably. The prevailing fear among some in the capital was that a 'Mega-Iowa' would be too large and powerful. So, as a compromise, The U.S. Congress got together and shrank Iowa by over 200 percent. This outraged many who lived in the Iowa Territory, but there wasn't much they could do about it. Iowa was admitted as a state (with its current borders) on December 28th, 1846.

While it's been nearly 200 years since this transpired, it's fun for Iowans to think about the "What If" factors. So, let's take a look at some fun-facts about 'Mega-Iowa' if it were a state in present day, shall we?

'Mega Iowa' would have a total area of 194,000 square miles, ranking as the third biggest state in the entire nation. It would easily leapfrog California (163,696), trailing only Alaska (1st) and Texas (2nd).
Estimated population today: 8.4 million people, ranking as the 13th most populous state, sitting right behind Virginia and just ahead of Washington State.
'Mega Iowa's five biggest cities would be: Minneapolis (Although St. Paul would be in Wisconsin, interestingly enough), Des Moines, Sioux Falls, Cedar Rapids, and Fargo. Honorable mentions would be: Rochester, MN, Bismarck, ND, and Iowa City, IA.
The Mississippi River would serve as 'Mega Iowa's' eastern border with Wisconsin, while Interstate 29 from Council Bluffs up through Sioux Falls, Fargo, and eventually Grand Forks.
Iowa is already a pivotal state in presidential elections. But with 'Mega Iowa'? Things would be at an entirely different level. The state would have around 11 or 12 electoral votes in the presidential election, and would have several more representatives to the US Congress. If the Iowa Caucuses still existed, in this hypothetical Iowa, the Hawkeye State would be even more crucial in the nomination process as well.
Agriculturally, Iowa is already at #2 when it comes to ag output. If 'Mega Iowa' existed, it would easily blow past California to become the most dominate agricultural state in the entire union, by far.

These are fun things to think about, but if anything, it makes you appreciate just how special Iowa already is.