Besides Davenport Pearl Button, the city was home to National, Tri-City, Hawkeye and Boepple button companies. Overall, the pearl button industry rose and fell over a 75-year period, peaking in 1916.

Fabulous tales of fortunes in 1924, freshwater pearls taken from Mississippi River mussels are still told along the shores of Lake Pepin and in the declining pearl button cities like Muscatine, Iowa.

There's a freshwater pearl, excuse me the Mississippi pearl as well. It is literally full of every type of button you could, I even found some of the cloth covered fabric buttons from the 70s." ...

Local News History of pearl-button industry in Stillwater area subject of talk St. Croix Pearl Button Factory workers in Stillwater sit on a pile of shells in this undated photo.

Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page. Road Trip Iowa is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android ...

Buttons, specifically pearl buttons, once were a thriving La Crosse industry. The Wisconsin Pearl Button Co. opened in 1900. During its operation, the factory produced millions of buttons each year.

Kim fell in love with a long-sleeved, off-the-shoulder Danielle Frankel gown that featured one-of-a-kind pearl buttons. "I just feel very at home and safe with him," Kim told Insider of her husband.

The Button Factory has a banquet room for private parties and events, and an outdoor deck that will be available when the warm weather returns. To learn more, call (563) 264-8590.