Swedesburg in Henry County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Farmers Union Exchange
Swedesburg Historic Commercial District
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
1. Farmers Union Exchange Marker
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 41° 6.272′ N, 91° 32.692′ W. Marker is in Swedesburg, Iowa, in Henry County. Marker is on James Avenue just north of Park Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is mounted at waist-level, directly on the subject building, just to the right/north of the front entrance on James Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 James Avenue, Swedesburg IA 52652, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Dala Horse (a few steps from this marker); Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Old Military Road (approx. 7˝ miles away); First Settler's Home in Washington County (approx. 7.6 miles away); Beginning of National Republican Party (approx. 7.6 miles away); James Harlan
this page online
Regarding Farmers Union Exchange. National Register of Historic Places #99000829.
From the National Register Nomination:
The district is comprised of four buildings with a graveled parking area. The largest, and most prominent, building is the Farmers Union Exchange (1928) which is located immediately next to the highway facing east. The small adjacent building attached to the rear is the Sam White General Store from 1881. Immediately west of the White Store is another small frame building. This is the 1875 Bergh Store, also known as the Huckster Barn.Of these three buildings, only one is on its original site, the 1928 Farmers Union Exchange. Both the White Store (1881) and the Bergh Store (1875) have been moved twice, and the last time was in 1928 when the Farmers Union Exchange was built. These buildings are representative of small-town commercial architecture between 1875 and 1928. They retain a high level of integrity, and the completeness of this group is unusual.
The
fourth building in the district is located at the west end of the district facing east. This structure was was built as a garage in 1928. It has been converted into a stuga, a typical Swedish cottage, complete with small front porch, to give museum visitors an idea of what the early Swedish settlers left behind.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 20212. Farmers Union Exchange MarkerThe marker is mounted on the right/north side of the front entrance, under the display window.
Also see . . . Swedesburg Historic Commercial District (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
The Swedesburg Historic Commercial District, also known as the Swedish Heritage Museum, is a nationally recognized historic district in Swedesburg, Iowa, United States. The three historic buildings housed commercial businesses beginning in an era when this unincorporated community was a settlement of Swedish immigrants. This building type, a frame structure with the "boomtown" front, was typical of frontier towns and was replaced by brick buildings as the town grew. The brick veneer and the aluminum siding above it were added to the front of the building in 1964. The Farmers Union Exchange had been formed after the Anderson and Nelson Store moved their business and their building north to Olds, Iowa. The store remained in operation until 1976. The complex was acquired by the Swedish Heritage Society for a museum in 1990 and opened the following year.(Submitted on January 7, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
3. Farmers Union Exchange / Swedish Heritage Museum
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
4. Farmers Union Exchange / Swedish Heritage Museum (southeast elevation)
The Bergh Hardware Store, the frame building furthest to the west [left], was constructed in 1875. The Sam White General Store, the middle frame building, was completed in 1881. Both of these contributing buildings were moved to their present location when the Farmers Union Exchange was built in 1928.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 51 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 7, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
