River Walk Parks emcompasses the Old Mill, Brimmer Park, Veteran’s, Teachers, and Bathing Beach Parks, plus 37 additional acres of new green space as a result of a FEMA flood buy-out program. Efforts to restore this area into usable recreation areas and a band shelter have now become a part of this nostalgic river scene.
Full Article >>History behind the name “American Trotter Trail”: In the late 1880’s and early 1890’s, Independence, Iowa was a nationally-known horse racing center. It was sometimes referred to as the “Lexington of the North”. This came about as a result of the financial success of Charles W. Williams. Williams purchased two mares in 1885, each of…
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This makes a nice downtown tour for returning class reunions or other group tours. With two historians or tour guides, begin at Wapsipinicon Main St. Bridge. Each group will walk up the street to the bank corners and then cross street and back down to bridge. You’ll then walk to the Wapsipinicon Mill where an awaiting…
Full Article >>Aurora – “A Small Town with a Big Heart” Brandon – ” A Little Town we’re Proud to call Home” Fairbank Hazleton – “Bridging Two Cultures, Hazelton is a good place to call home!” Jesup – “The Right Place” Lamont – “West Gateway to Backbone Park” Littleton & Chatham Quasqueton – “The Friendliest Town by a Dam” Rowley – “Iowa’s Best Kept Secret” , History not found…
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The village of New Haven was platted Feb. 27, 1854. It was a complete town including a grist mill or sawmill, blacksmith shop, stores and a cemetery. There was no bridge across the Wapsi in those days and it was a complete village. The dam and sawmill were constructed by Samuel Sherwood, mill owner, in…
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The motion picture arrived in Buchanan County in much the same way as it did in most small towns across the heart of the country. As word of mouth spread the lucrative lure of showing moving photoplays, existing music halls and opera house scrambled to equip their auditoriums with projection equipment. By 1910, the motion…
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Independence, Iowa On March, 11, 1873, a delegation from the Burlington, Cedar Rapids, and Northern railroad company visited Independence to talk to the citizens on a proposed project to complete the “Postville Branch” of the B.C.R. and N railroad line through Independence. (this railroad latter became the Rock Island railroad). The railroad line built a…
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