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There's a place where the wild woods grow... the rivers wander.... grasslands
meet bluffs and rolling hills turn amber in fall. It's a place to live and
work....to raise children without fear. Where people privately vacation outside
their own back doors.
This isn't an imagined place. It's Allamakee County. Tucked away in the
heart of America in Northeast Iowa, it's a safe, beautiful place. Free from
pollution and overpopulation.
The meandering trout streams, rugged sandstone bluffs, springs appeal to the
nature lover in all of us. It's a place to enjoy plentiful wildlife and scenic
rivers with sandy islands, panoramic valleys, historic towns, and timbered
hills.
Allamakee County also has lots of privately owned attractions and recreational
opportunities. Please click on our Business Directory page to see a listing of
some.
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| WAUKON CITY PARK & FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER |
| Location: Southern edge of Waukon off Highway 9 |
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WAUKON CITY PARK: Forty-six rolling acres of open park make this a great stopping point for travelers
looking to take a break from the road. Picnic shelters, hiking trails, and camping
facilities make this an attractive resting place, and recently constructed playground
structure, Hideaway Park, offers fun for the whole family. Call (563) 568-0081 for
more information. (Free Admission)
FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER: Take a splash to cool off or catch some rays at the Waukon Family Aquatic Center!
The entire family will enjoy this recent addition to Allamakee County, including its
twisting water slide, diving board, and special children's area, which includes geysers
and a raindrop structure. A sizable intermediate swimming area with water from two- to
three-feet depths and a series of competition lanes provide swimming opportunities for
persons of all skill levels. During the summer season, telephone (563) 568-2514 for
more information and admission rates. (Admission Fee) |
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| COMMERCIAL FISHING MUSEUM |
| Location 60 South Front Street, Lansing |
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Lansing's unique history as a river town comes to life in this specialized museum,
featuring a collection of memorabilia from the early development of the town.
Authentic wooden boats and artifacts offer visitors a glimpse at the early clamming
and clamshell button industries as well as commercial fishing and ice harvesting. An
extensive photograph collection documents the growth of this Iowa river town, which
was an important ferry point for immigrants crossing the Mississippi River in the
early days of westward expansion. Telephone (563) 538-4641 or (563) 538-3943 for
more information. (Free Admission) |
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| EFFIGY MOUNDS NATIONAL MONUMENT |
| Location: Highway 76, 4 miles north of Marquette |
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No visit to Allamakee county would be complete without stopping at Iowa's only
national monument, the Effigy Mounds. There are 206 known prehistoric American
Indian mounds within the borders of the park, 31 of which are shaped in the likeness
(effigy) of bears or birds.
The 2,526-acre park is divided into two units (North and South) by the Yellow
River. Walking trails provide modest to extended routes, allowing you to select your
route and view a variety of mounds. Open year-round, call (563) 873-3491 or visit
their website for more information at
www.nps.gov/efmo. (Children under 16 free; admission fee for adults).
An accessible boardwalk trail into the wetlands near the Visitor Center is available
for disabled visitors and persons of all walking abilities.
North Unit: The two-mile Fire Point Trail takes visitors past the Little
Bear Mound to the Fire Point and Eagle Rock overlooks, rising 300 feet above the
Mississippi River. Guided tours along the Fire Point Trail take approximately 1 1/2
hours. Longer self-guided tours include the Twins Views Trail (three-mile round trip),
the Third Scenic View Trail (four-mile round trip), and the Hanging Rock Trail
(seven-mile round trip).
South Unit: From the parking lot 1/2 mile south of the main gate, visitors
can hike on well-defined trails through tallgrass prairie to see the Compound Mound
(four-mile round trip) and Marching Bear Group (four-mile round trip) in the South
Unit of the park. The trail to the Marching Bear Group also follows part of the
historic route of the 1840 Military Road. |
| FISH FARM MOUNDS |
| Location: Three miles south of New Albin on Highway 26 |
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Fish Farm Mounds State Preserve is a three-acre prehistoric cemetery (mound group)
located in the southern portion of the 576-acre Fish Farm Mounds Wildlife Area. The
Preserve contains a cluster of thirty conical mounds of various sizes, which were
built by Native Americans from 100 B.C. to 650 A.D. The Wildlife Area is mostly
wooded and is abundant with wildlife, making it a popular hunting area. (Free Admission) |
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| POSTVILLE PARKS |
LULL'S PARK
Location: East side of Postville
The park contains playground equipment, shelters with electricity, grills and tables,
restrooms, swimming pool and ice-skating rink. An extension of Lull's Park has been
improved to include a nature/walking trail. Handicap accessibility. For more information,
call (563) 864-7454 or email postcityclerk@netins.net
(Free Admission)
CLINTON F. MEYER PARK
Location: The northwest side of Postville on Murdock Street
Playground equipment, a basketball court, shelter and portable restrooms are
available. For more information, call (563) 864-7454 or email postcityclerk@netins.net
(Free Admission)
ROBERT'S PARK
Location: Adjacent to the business district in Postville
The area is lighted by decorative globe lights and contains
picnic tables and benches for relaxation. For more information, call (563) 864-7454 or
email postcityclerk@netins.net
(Free Admission) |
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| MISSISSIPPI RIVER LOCK & DAM No. 9 |
| Location: Harpers Ferry |
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Barge traffic, as well as recreational boats, traversing the Mississippi River glide
through Lock and Dam Number Nine at Harpers Ferry. This is an excellent opportunity
to introduce young people to the technology of river transportation. (Free Admission) |
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| MOUNT HOSMER CITY PARK |
| Location: Lansing |
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A spectacular panoramic view of fifty miles of the beautiful Mississippi River valley
rewards visitors who take the sidetrip up the 104-acre Mount Hosmer City Park,
situated on a bluff 450 feet above the town of Lansing. The park is named for Harriet
Hosmer, a sculptress, who won a footrace to the summit of the hill during a steamboat
layover during the 1850s. Savor the natural splendor of Iowa and neighboring Wisconsin
and Minnesota from this scenic overlook. (Free Admission) |
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| ALLAMAKEE COUNTY HISTORICAL CENTER/OLD COURTHOUSE MUSEUM |
| Location: 121 Allamakee Street, Waukon |
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The interior and exterior of this 1863 building have been preserved to reflect the
time of its construction, including the bell tower, which houses the original bell.
The whole family will enjoy a step backwards in time as you visit displays of period
clothing and furnishings, including the piano and organ from the historic Wexford
church (located in the rural Lafayette Township area). A medical exhibit includes an
operating table and instruments used by physicians during the early years of the
county's settlement. The original second-floor courtroom is intact and includes a
display of law books, judge's chair and bench, witness chair, and the jury box.
For more information, call (563) 568-2954. Visit the museum's website:
www.allamakeehistory.org
or email them at info@allamakeehistory.org
(Admission Fee) |
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| YELLOW RIVER STATE FOREST |
| Location: Southeast Allamakee County, 729 State Forest Road,
forest entrance via Harpers Ferry or State Highway 76 |
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First acquired as a state forest in 1935, the Yellow River State Forest
has grown to encompass nearly 8,500 acres of natural beauty. Some of Iowa's most unique
forest features and terrain are found in the forest, and a wide variety of plant and
animal life (including more than 65 species of birds) make this carefully managed
timberland a lovely place to visit. Year-round camping is available, and hikers,
equestrians, snowmobilers, and cross-country skiers are sure to appreciate the
extensive trail system. Hunting and fishing are also popular activities in the forest.
For more information, contact the Area Forester at (563) 586-2254. (Free Admission) |
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| HISTORICAL LANDMARKS |
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Allamakee County is rich with historical sites and buildings reflecting the diversity
of architecture from Iowa’s history. We invite you to explore and enjoy our county's
history, but ask you to remember that many of these historic landmarks are on private
property and are not open to the public. Please respect the property owners' privacy
and be aware of signs posting visitation or trespass policies. |
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| DORCHESTER |
Back to Historical Places |
Dorchester Post Office, Main Street, Dorchester
Constructed in 1853; native limestone; originally a hotel. |
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| LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP AREA |
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Wexford Immaculate Conception Church, Route 1, rural Lafayette Township
Constructed ca. 1848; stone church in the vernacular style with Gothic influences; rounded tower added at unknown time after initial building was completed; part of the first Irish settlement in Allamakee County. |
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| LANSING AND SURROUNDING AREA |
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Arthur Wendel Residence, 611 Dodge Street, Lansing
Constructed ca. 1870 in Second Empire style; presently a private multiple-family dwelling.
Daniel Brennan Residence, 491 North Front Street, Lansing
Constructed in 1870; Italianate mansion.
G. Kerndt and Brothers Dry Goods Store and Bank, 391 Main Street, Lansing
Constructed in 1861; vernacular style; listed on the National Register of Historic Places; presently houses a community center.
G. Kerndt and Brothers Elevator, 60-90 Front Street, Lansing
Constructed in 1868; vernacular stone and brick structure; originally served steamboat and late rail traffic; listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Landmark Inn and Gun House, Route 9, rural Lansing Township
Constructed ca. 1851; Federal style; front section was built as a private residence by Col. John Wakefield, who is said to have grown up with and been commissioned by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War; rear section added in 1854; presently a private residence, the building was formerly a brewery, hotel, store, post office, tearoom, bar, and restaurant.
Gun House
Constructed ca. 1851; located directly behind the Landmark Inn; stone two-story structure; said to have been built by Col. Wakefield following his participation in the Blackhawk Wars to defend against Indian uprisings.
Lansing Stone School, 509 Center Street, Lansing
Constructed in 1864; Greek Revival style; listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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| NEW ALBIN & SURROUNDING AREA |
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Reburn 12-sided Barn, 1641 Pool Hill Drive, rural New Albin
Constructed in 1914; 12-sided beef cattle barn built by Tom Reburn; half of the timber and sheeting lumber was taken from Reburn’s father’s barn; 46 feet in diameter; circular feed aisle, capable of feeding 50 head of cattle at one time; hay mound had a circular track for the hay fork; listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Alberta House, Country Road A-26, rural New Albin (intersection of A-26 and Lycurgus Road)
Constructed in 1858 by E. T. Albert as a wayside hotel; served as a refuge for frightened settlers during the New Ulm Massacre (Sioux) on September 1, 1862; features three-foot-thick stone walls.
Colsch Log House, 2774 Hwy 26 (east side of road), rural New Albin
Constructed in 1858; one-and-one-half-story log house built by Elijah Fish (originally called Elijah Fish Log Cabin); sits on land surveyed by Nathaniel Boone, son of Daniel Boone.
Iron Post, North Outside of New Albin
Placed in 1849; 600-pound cast-iron post; marked "Minnesota" on the north, "Iowa" on the south, & "1849" & "43-30" (latitude) on the sides. For many years, the border between Iowa & Minnesota was hotly disputed. Iowans urged the government to use the Minnesota River as the dividing line, giving Iowa a good portion of what is now southern Minnesota. Minnesotans wanted to use the 42nd parallel as the border, giving them the city of Dubuque & northern Iowa. In 1849, Captain Thomas J. Lee settled the matter by establishing the border at 43 degrees & 30 minutes north latitude. To solidify his mark, Lee purchased a cast-iron monument on October 19, 1849, & had it installed on the border. The Iron Post, located near New Albin, is the only original marker remaining on the northern boundary line of the State of Iowa.
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| NEW ALBIN & SURROUNDING AREA |
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New Albin Town Hall, Main Street, New Albin
Constructed ca. 1895; frame structure with bell tower; vernacular with elements of Greek Revival influence; three rooms, including jail, marshal’s office, and council room; used until 1969.
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| POSTVILLE |
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John R. Mott House, 225 Williams Street, Postville
Constructed in 1867; two-story frame house; Victorian style; home of 1946 Nobel Peace Prize winner John R. Mott; once served as a hospital. In 1946, former Postville resident Dr. John Raleigh Mott (1865-1955) received the Nobel Peace Prize (with Emily Greene Balch) for founding the World Council of Churches. Hailed as an international religious leader, Dr. Mott was recognized for his service, particularly in far-reaching church and missionary movements. Dr. Mott’s boyhood home at 225 Williams Street in Postville is identified with a bronze plaque and is now a private apartment building known as Mott Manor.
Roger Kolarich Home, 111 East Tilden Street, Postville
Constructed in 1872 by Godfrey Stadt; two-story frame home in Victorian Gothic style; includes a stage, which was built so Stadt’s son could perform one-person shows.
Turner Hall, 119 East Greene Street, Postville
Constructed in 1913; shows the predominance of the German-American settlement; added to National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
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| WATERVILLE & SURROUNDING AREA |
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Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church, 1799 Elon Drive, County Road A-52, rural Waterville
Constructed in 1869; Gothic style; listed on the National Register of Historic Places; first church constructed for Norwegian settlers in Allamakee County.
Waterville Bank, Main Street, Waterville
Constructed in 1912.
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| WAUKON |
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Barnes Octagon House, 22 East Main Street, Waukon
Constructed ca. 1865; stone Italianate; 20-foot bedrock foundation, wall stones quarried from foundation.
Gjefle Log Cabin, 107 Allamakee Street (with the Old Courthouse Museum), Waukon
Originally built by Norwegian immigrants; as many as 15 people lived in this home at a single time between 1870 and 1886; moved and reassembled at its present site.
J. H. Hager House, 17 Fourth Avenue NE, Waukon
Constructed ca. 1920; stucco Prairie School-style home designed by architect George Maher of Chicago; presently a private multiple-family dwelling.
Old Courthouse Museum, 107 Allamakee Street, Waukon
Constructed in 1861; native brick Italianate/Greek Revival; listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Center of great controversy between the cities of Waukon and Lansing. Both cities raised funds and built “county” courthouses (Lansing completing theirs first). In June of 1866, after ten county seat contests, a posse of 30 men took the county records from the Lansing courthouse and delivered them to Waukon. The Supreme Court later intervened in the dispute, making Waukon the official county seat.
Otto J. Hager House, 402 Allamakee Street, Waukon
Constructed ca. 1920; brick Prairie School-style home designed by architect Robert C. Spenser of Chicago; listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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