Only a block from the des moines river, one can hear the tree frogs sing and an occasional owl hoot at night. Benton county, summer travel, weekend getaways, small towns, american history. I joined the masonic order at bentonsport and some years later became a member of the chapter at bonaparte, and also a knight temp lar of the commandery at keosauqua. Bentonsport national historic district bentonsport, iowa. The bank building had a second floor that was used as a masonic hall. The population of bentonsport is approximately 40 2000. Save 10% w insider prices on cheap bentonsport national historic district hotels. Bentonsport cemetery in bentonsport, iowa find a grave. He has built displays of various wood native to the area. If you choose to arrive by boat, make use of island city harbor. See more ideas about iowa, house styles and van buren.
I mean, it was founded in 1839 before iowa was even officially a state. Rather, iowans enjoyed their music, made use of and paid fairly for, their skills. The civil war may be 150yearold history, but the work on many confederate monuments and commemorations is surprisingly recent. Regarded by many as the most haunted place in the whole state of iowa. Exploring the bentonsport historic district midwest wanderer. Bentonsport, a village on the des moines river near keosauqua, in van buren county, iowa. Aug 26, 2012 steamboats began paddling up the des moines river there were no railroads in iowa back then to discharge boatloads of settlers eager to find and settle inexpensive land. Historic sites southeast iowa villages of van buren county iowa ia. Additional resources can be found at the state historical society of iowa. You can learn more about bentonsports history and see some pretty. Bentonsport, a village on the des moines river near keosauqua, in van buren county, iowa, was recognized in 1972 for being very little changed since its historic heyday as a thriving steamboat port in the mid1800s. The old truss bridge is now a pedestrian bridge and the former mill site has been transformed into a beautiful rose garden. Bentonsport is one of the first villages established in van buren county. Promotion of artists that participate in the bentonsport fine art show annual event.
Early in the history of bonaparte manufacturing interests were instilled in the minds of the citizens, and today one of the most important industries of van buren county, and, in fact, of southeastern iowa, are the bonaparte woolen mills. Guide to van buren county, iowa ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth. Built back in 1846 as a lodging for steamboat travelers, the mason house inn in bentonsport is still in operation to this day. Bentonite to beowulf indexes include extended shelves. Click the above square for the villages of van buren event calendar for listings that cover the whole county. Get directions, maps, and traffic for bentonsport, ia. Historic bed and breakfast inn underground railroad. On the way, a little stopoff called driscolls island circled above is known as a great fishing spot. This project is a volunteer effort to promote genealogical research and promote records preservation and availability throughout the united states by facilitating access to records and information on a county by county basis. Signs in front of some bentonsport shops tell the buildings history. It offers transient slips, a gas dock, and a quaint harbor store.
Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. Bentonsport, van buren, iowa mormon historic sites foundation. Bentonsport, van buren county, iowa status open to pedestrians history built 1882, removed from vehicular service 1985 builders george e. Indian artifact museum bentonsport 2020 all you need to. Mason house inn 21982 hawk drive bentonsport, iowa 525658260 180059233. This town is on the des moines river and a historic and picturesque place to visit. Attractions include state parks, the iowa state fair in des moines, decorah bald eagles, pella tulip festival, amana colonies tours, the mississippi river and dubuque, maquoketa caves state park, and the loess hills. The mason house inn is an antique hotel that was built in 1846 by mormon workmen from nauvoo.
Several other stong books were made into movies, but perhaps his most important book is an iowa history, hawkeyes. The distance from bentonsport to washington dc is 823 miles. Why everyone should visit this tiny island town in iowa. Gems4me has polished rocks and gems and bentonsport souvenirs. Quaint shops make bentonsport one of iowas most unique shopping districts. The historic bentonsport village, in southeast iowa, has several historic buildings owned by the conservation greef general store bank building corns building odd fellows hall these buildings are rented out to private individuals that set up shops with art, antiques, woodworking, fudge shop and crafts. Bentonsport national historic district bentonsport, ia southeast. Van buren county, iowa genealogy genealogy familysearch wiki. Get to know the real possibility of aarp in bentonsport. The town is a fascinating study of the history and culture of settlement, depen. Within this southeast iowa village, there has been a resurgence of historic restoration which will give you the feeling of stepping back in time. A 35acre 14 ha historic district covering 16 original blocks in the historic center of the village was then approved for listing on the national register of historic places. The annals of iowa state historical society of iowa. Bentonsport national historic district keosauqua 2020.
Mason house inn ghost hunt sleepover, bentonsport, iowa. Museum is filled with over 4,000 arrowheads and artifacts that tony sanders has found in southeast iowa, part of missouri and illinois. Bentonsport has a secluded charm with its historic buildings and scenic park along the des moines river where vendors will be set up selling antiques, crafts, flea market, bake sales, food and saturday nauvoo on the road will have 1800 demonstrations and games. Bentonsport bridge 2020 all you need to know before you. The iowa division of the sons of confederate veterans, chartered in. Next time we are in the area, i will make a stop with the rest of the family. The greef general store, originally owned by herman greef, still carries the greef general store name. During this time its built up quite a haunted reputation. Tony sanders native american artifact museum is open by chance or appointment. Linn county sheriff orlie workman faces down a group of protestors at the duane arnold energy center near palo in 1979. Find local bentonsport ia aarp programs and information. The hotel was used as a station on the underground railroad and a hospital during the civil war. Find a tourism map, travel guide and the best things to do in iowa. Platted in 1839 before iowa became a state, the town grew because of the rivers role in transportation of people and goods and its use as a power source for the.
It is an old bridge that is now a pedestrian only bridge. He was born in new york state on january 9, 1924 to mildred crowe and herbert henry redhead. Come to this area to go for a hike, go canoeing, and to explore unique shops. Forever sweet creations is a fudge and sandwich shop in the old post office building. The distance to the iowa state capital is 110 miles. Tucked into the southeastern area of iowa is the charming community of bentonsport where in the 1940. Feb 17, 2017 bentonsport is an iowa town thats best known for its steamboat history and culture. Travel iowa is the official tourism website of the state of iowa, the hawkeye state. Bentonsport bridge 2020 all you need to know before you go. Many of those early settlers, and mormons headed to the west, stayed at the new mason house inn. Explore this cemetery for graves, information and tombstones for names in bentonsport cemetery in bentonsport, iowa, a find a grave cemetery. This log cabin museum is located in bentonsports historic district. Please visit our pages and learn about our products, classes and workshops, and other activities in and around bentonsport. The old truss bridge is now a pedestrian bridge and the former mill site has.
The county seat is keosauqua, which contains the oldest continuously operational courthouse in the state of iowa, and second oldest in the united states. You are leaving and going to the website of our trusted provider. For more on that incident and the trial of the protestors that followed, see sharon lakes. About thirty miles west of fort madison, ia on iowas mormon pioneer trail is the small village of bentonsport. It was laid into town lots in 1837 by the reed brothers and john and henry smith. Book a stay at one of these north or south lake tahoe hotels for spectacular. Historians agree that, in marked contrast with citizens of neighboring states, iowa never joined in the persecution which mormons endured in their early years. Bentonsport campground bentonsport, iowa travel iowa. It is situated on the north bank of the des moines river in van buren county four miles northwest of bonaparte. Herbert redhead bentonsport herbert kelland redhead age 91, known as kell, passed away on apri 4, 2015. Welcome to the van buren county, iowa page, part of the iagenweb project, which in turn is part of the usgenweb project. In the morning one can often hear a cow moo across the river or roosters crow down the road, not so loud as to disturb ones sleep, but a pleasant outdoor greeting. The county has keosauqua as its seat and the county was created. Spend a little time walking this historic bridge, and gain insight into the interesting past of the village of bentonsport.
For contact information, check a phone directory, such as searchbug or dex knows. Bentonsport riverfest 2020, a craft show in bentonsport, iowa. The book a bicentennial history of van buren county, iowa has this to say about our mormon history. View all restaurants near indian artifact museum on tripadvisor. Bentonsport might not be a bustling metropolis, but more than anything, the village has an incredible rich history. Located in a national historic district in bentonsport, iowa.
Gazebo at bentonsport, iowa with sign noting the mormon trail. Jul 6, 2018 devoted to the bentonsport national historic district. South bentonsport is in a separate township and claims history apart from that of the north town. I was traveling with my mom on a motherdaughter trip. Things to do around bentonsport bentonsport, ia aarp in your city.
He cuts them with a coping saw in different shapes and sizes, fitting them together in an awesome display. Steamboats began paddling up the des moines river there were no railroads in iowa back then to discharge boatloads of settlers eager to find and settle inexpensive land. Bentonsport, van buren, iowa mormon historic sites. Indian artifact museum bentonsport 2020 all you need. Looking for the closest hotels near bentonsport national historic district. History of bentonsport once a bustling steamboat town situated on the des moines river in van buren county, iowa, bentonsport was important in the westward expansion of the country. Bentonsport, van buren county mormon historic sites. Bentonsport is an iowa town thats best known for its steamboat history and culture. Shops in bentonsport are open april to december, the inn is open all year long. Many treasures await you in the specialty shops, where you can watch the. The mason house inn and caboose cottage is located in bentonsport, iowa, one of the historic villages of van buren county.
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