John Boepple settled in Muscatine, Iowa, where he produced pearl buttons made from freshwater mussel shells. His innovations brought economic prosperity to the town—and disaster to the local mussel ...

MUSCATINE, Iowa - The story of the pearl button industry in Muscatine is much like a button itself, its circular and when properly polished, will shine. “If you polish this history like a pearl, ...

Collection documents the manufacture of both freshwater pearl and plastic buttons in Muscatine, Iowa, including at least 12 different companies from primarily 1925 to the 1960s. Collection documents ...

The button has long been a favoured, decorative feature in fashion for both men and women, with the pearl button adding exclusivity and desirability to garments for both. John F. Boepple originally ...

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. Clam shell gatherers were the front line in the booming pearl button business in 1897. Congress that ...