OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST

ALLAMAKEE COUNTY

  • Jim’s Tavern
    Now known as RV’s Tavern, this historic structure was built in the 1850s.  It is located at 402 W. Chestnut St., Harpers Ferry IA 52146.  Phone: 1-319-586-2117.

  • Harpers Ferry Little General Store
    Now known as Pat and Annie’s Store, this historic structure was built around 1878 and housed a store for more than 100 years.  It is located at 403 W. Chestnut St., Harpers Ferry IA 52146.  Phone: 1-319-586-2281.

  • Twelve-Sided Barn
    This barn was built in 1914 for cattle farmer, Thomas Reburn.  It is located on Hwy. 26, New Albin IA 52160.

  • Iron Post
    This cast iron obelisk was placed in 1849 to mark the boundary between Iowa and the newly formed Minnesota Territory.  It is located along Hwy. 26, New Albin IA 52160.

  • Landmark Inn and Gun Tower
    The Landmark was built around 1851 by Col. John Wakefield on land which re received for his services in the Indian Wars.  He then built the Gun Tower in the 1850s for protection from the Indians during the Sioux uprising in Minnesota.  It is located at 1172 Hwy. 9, Lansing IA 52151. Phone: 1-319-586-3150.

  • Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
    This structure dates from sometime around 1868 and is the first church in Allamakee County.  In 1848, eighteen families followed Father Thomas hare of Wexford County, Ireland, to this scenic valley.  It is located in Wexford Parish, 1416 Great River Road, Lansing IA 52151. Phone: 1-319-586-2150.

  • Fish Farm Mounds State Preserve
    A short walking path leads to more than two-dozen Indian burial mounds arrayed on a terrace overlooking the Mississippi River.  The Preserve is located along Hwy. 26 seven miles north of Lansing IA.

CLAYTON COUNTY

HISTORICAL SITES

  • Spook Cave and Campground
    Spook Cave and Campground are located seven miles west of McGregor off Hwy. 18.  Signs mark the way.  This authentic underground cave takes visitors by boat through the cave to view stalactites and stalagmites and learn about other natural formations that have developed over eons of time. Campgrounds and picnic area are also available.  Call for more information.  Phone: 1-319-873-2144.

  • Ceres Church
    Also known as Pioneer Rock Church, this historic structure is located on Hwy. 52, approximately five miles south of Garnavillo.  This very interesting rock church dates to 1858 when the people of Ceres (formerly known as Independence) discontinued going by foot to church in Garnavillo and created their own church known then as the "St. Peter's German United Evangelical Lutheran Church” at Ceres.  For more information contact the Garnavillo Historical Museum, Washington St., Garnavillo IA  52049, or Lowell Nieman.  Phone: 1-319-252-3438.

  • Motor Mill
    Motor Mill is located approximately four miles down river from Elkader off county highway XC3, near Communia.   Skilled German stonemasons using native limestone quarried at the site built this six-story mill in 1869.  It was in operation from 1870 to 1882 and was placed on the National Historic Register in 1977.  For directions and other information, call the Clayton County Conservation Board.  Phone: 1-319-245-1516.

HISTORICAL MUSEUMS

  • McGregor Museum
    254 Main St., McGregor IA  52157.  Phone: 1-319-873-2298.

  • Monona Historical Museum
    302 S. Egbert St., Monona IA 52159.  Phone: 1-319-539-2640.

  • Garnavillo Historical Museum
    Washington St., Garnavillo IA  52049.

  • Carter House Museum
    101 High St., Elkader IA  52043.  Phone: 1-319-245-2770.  See lesson plan section of this guide for field trip lessons.

  • Wilder Museum
    123 W. Mission St., Strawberry Point IA  52076.  Phone: 1-319-933-4615.  See lesson plan section of this guide for field trip lessons.

FAYETTE COUNTY

HISTORICAL SITES

  • Castle House/Faith Mitchell Hat Collection
    This collection is located in Arlington IA.  Phone: 1-319-633-3385.   This is the largest hat collection in the country containing 5,000 hats.

  • Maynard Old Town Hall/Jail and Hall Park
    Located in Maynard IA, this historic site is open by appointment.  For tours, contact Margaret Boedeker Phone: 1-319-637-2711.  This museum is a preservation and adaptation of Maynard's 1893 town hall/jail, and polling place.

  • Depot Museum
    Located in Fayette IA, this site is open by appointment.  Phone: 1-319-425-4579.  It is located on a hilltop on Jade Road, just off Highway 150, about two miles north of Fayette. The former Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Depot from Fayette, now overlooks the hills and valleys of the Volga River Recreation Area. Many artifacts of the days of railroad transportation can be viewed within the depot.

  • Johnson/Erickson Museum
    Located in Wadena IA, this site is open by appointment. Contact Tim Corkery.  Phone: 1-319-422-3552 (W) or 1-319-774-2685 (H).   Displays include a schoolroom, home, and workshop.

  • Federal Aviation Airways Radar Facility
    Located near Arlington IA on Bell Rd.  It is open for tours daily between 8:00a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  For groups of 10 or more contact Mozell Williams. Phone: 1-319-633-4835.  This site provides air traffic data for airports in Minneapolis/St. Paul and Chicago.

  • Historical Building, County Schoolhouse and Museum
    Located in Waucoma IA, this site is open by appointment.  Contact Elaine Perry.  Phone: 1-319-776-6441.   An old country schoolhouse set up as it was in the past. Located next to the Old Federated Church, originally a Methodist church, this very unusual site displays original furnishings and other historical items in the museum and school.

  • Fayette County Historical Center
    Located in West Union IA, this site is open by appointment.  Contact Miriam Colvin.  Phone 1-319-422-5797. This site includes various rooms that depict life during the decades between 1850 and 1900. This building used to be a hospital. Genealogical references and cemetery records for Fayette County are housed here.

  • Log Cabin
    Built in the 1860's, this cabin is located at the intersection of Hwys. 93 and 150. It can be toured by appointment.  Contact Ollie Pleggenkuhle.  Phone:  1-800-798-4447.

  • Stone Man
    This natural monument is located on the southeast side of the intersections of M Avenue and 152nd Street, two miles west of Fayette. The Stone Man is a granite boulder with a surprisingly human-like shape. Four feet tall, historians have speculated that it had been previously a landmark along the southern boundary of what was once Winnebago Indian land. Later, the Stone Man became a guide for travelers on the main road from Randalia to Fayette. Neighbors used it as a central gathering point. A scarf tied around the neck or a hat on his head told latecomers that their friends had already gone into town. Stone Man originally rested in the middle of the intersection, but the coming of the automobile and the need for safer roads prompted its move to the ditch in 1929.

  • Fayette County Courthouse
    The Fayette county Courthouse was originally built in 1850 but was destroyed twice by fire.  The present building was constructed in 1923. Contact Larry Popenhagen for tour information.  Phone: 1-319-422-3497.

  • Dover School
    This country school was unique because everything was left intact when the doors closed.  It was the last country school to close in Fayette County. Contact Donna Seitz in Clermont for information about this site.  Phone: 1-319-423-7179.

PARKS

  • Klock's Island Park
    This park is located one mile west of Fayette IA.  Contact the naturalist at the Fayette County Conservation Board, 319-426-5740 for school program information.

  • Goeken Park
    Located seven miles north of West Union on Hwy. 150, this roadside park sits on six and one-half acres of highway right-of-way. From the park, you can see a beautiful panoramic view of many miles of the Turkey River Valley. Contact the naturalist at the Fayette County Conservation Board, 319-426-5740 for school program information.

  • Gouldsburg Park
    Located five miles north of Hawkeye on county road B14, this park sits on sixty-four acres at the confluence of the Little Turkey River and Crane Creek. These streams provide good fishing, tubing, and canoeing. Contact the naturalist at the Fayette County Conservation Board, 319-426-5740 for school program information.

  • Thelman Wildlife Area
    Located south of Alpha on Hwy. 193, this 305-acre wildlife habitat includes both wetland and upland areas.  Game hunting is allowed. Contact the naturalist at the Fayette County Conservation Board, 319-426-5740 for school program information.

WINNESHIEK COUNTY

  • Broadway-Phelps Park District
    Located in Decorah, Iowa, this site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It includes examples of virtually all styles of midwestern architecture dating to 1850 with many homes built from the 1850s to the 1870s.  It also includes a home that was part of the underground railroad. No admission is charged for the self-guided tour. Free self-guided tour maps are available at the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce on West Water Street.  Phone:  1-319-382-3990.

  • Decorah Fish Hatchery (Siewer Springs State Trout Rearing Station)
    Located on Trout Run Road off Hwy. 9E, a large variety of fish may be observed at this site.  Fish food is made available for tourists to experience feeding the fish. Trout fishing information is also available. The hatchery is open daily and no admission is charged.  Call to schedule tours.  Phone: 1-319-382-8324.

  • Dunnings Spring Park
    A picturesque location with a breathtaking waterfall, this park provides picnic tables, grills and hiking trails.  It is located in Decorah on the north side of Upper Iowa River off Quarry Street and Ice Cave Road.

  • Luther College
    Established in 1861 by Norwegian immigrants, this four-year liberal arts college located in Decorah, Iowa has developed a national reputation for academic excellence.  For a tour of one of America’s most beautiful campuses or to schedule a planetarium program for grades 4 through high school, contact Luther College, Admissions Office, 700 College Drive, Decorah IA 52101.  Phone: 1-319- 387-1287.

  • Northeast Iowa Community College
    This vocational-technical institute located in Calmar IA on Hwy 150, received community college status in 1989.  For elementary and junior high grades, a campus tour is available followed with several half-hour demonstrations if desired.  The instructors available determine the demonstrations topics such as cosmetology, electricity, computer, farm equipment, or auto mechanics at visitation time. Total visitation time will be from one to two hours.  Summer visitation programs for elementary classes can also be arranged.  For more information or to arrange for a student visitation, contact Martha Keune in the Admissions Office.  Phone: 1-800-728-2256 - ext. 307.

  • Porter House Museum
    This Italian Tuscan Villa located in Decorah IA, was built in 1867 of native brick. It houses several unique collections and furnishings.  Surrounded by an unusual rock wall, the home is open Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day or by appointment.  An admission fee is charged.  For additional information write to P.O. Box 115, Decorah, IA 52101.  The home is located at 401 W. Broadway St. Decorah IA 52101.  Call for more information or to schedule a group tour.  Phone: 1-319-382-8465 or 1-319-382-3452.

  • Willowglen Nursery
    The nursery is located 15 miles north and west of Decorah, and just south of the Iowa/Minnesota border at 3512 Lost Mile Road, Decorah, IA  52101.  Watch for signs south of Burr Oak.  Displaying gorgeous gardens and landscapes, it is open from May through September, Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Call for an appointment.  Phone: 1-319-735-5570.

  • Winneshiek County Courthouse
    Located in Decorah, this beautifully restored building was constructed in 1903 and features a stained glass dome and painted murals.  As a functioning county government building, it is open Monday through Friday throughout the entire year.  Visitors are welcome.