The Pearl Button Story
Punched pearl button shells
Clamming Hooks
Clamming Boat
Clamming Operation
Punched Clam Shell
Pearl Button Company
Mississippi River Fuels Iowa Industry
Clamming Operation
Time Frame: Late 1800s
A couple at their clamming operation. Clams were thrown into big pots of boiling water to kill them. Men and women pried the loosened shells apart and cleaned out the whitish meat. Clamming for button manufacturing was big business in the late 1800's along the Mississippi River.
Iowa Pathways: Iowa History Resources for Students and Teachers
Home ~ My Path ~ Artifacts ~ Timeline ~ Quest ~ Teacher Resources ~ Project Information ~ SponsorsIowa Pathways © 2005 - 2013 Iowa Public Television