Vinton in Benton County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Red Cedar River

Celebrating the History & Tradition

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2021

1. Red Cedar River Marker

Inscription.

Red Cedar River. Celebrating the History and Tradition. Points of Interest If you are planning any exploration, please be respectful of private property.. 1. BURMEISTER’S ISLAND: Located at Benton/Black Hawk County line, this privately owned island is a haven for numerous wildlife and birds throughout the year. , 2. OLD MT. AUBURN BRIDGE: Located a short distance downstream from current bridge, the original bridge was an iron structure built in early 1900's. A spring flood in 1965 washed out the bridge. The original stone piers still exist. Privately owned cabins are on the south side of the river. , 3. WINEGAR PARK: County Conservation Area: drive-in area for fishing and hunting. There is also an equestrian trail. Area is downstream from Old Mt. Auburn Bridge. , 4. TOBIN’S CABIN AREA AND LIME CREEK: County conservation Area. The cabin was owned by Judge Tobin which gave the area its name. It was given to the County Conservation board in 1977. The cabin was ruined by the flood of 2008. Only the fireplace remains as part of a shelter. An existing cabin is available for rent by Benton County Conservation. TOBIN TALES by John Tobin has numerous stories related to the area including Native American history. Lime Creek flows into the Cedar River nearby and was an active spawning area for bass for many years. Tobin's granddaughter remembers fishing with her grandfather for chubs in the creek from a suspension bridge used for creek crossing at the time. , 5. SAUER’S ROCKS: A rock shoal downstream from Lime Creek. It is located on the east side of the river. The bluff has washed away in some areas, but the limestone rock areas are good for fishing. , 6. REMINGTON'S FERRY: It is listed as a stop for the steamboats on the route from Cedar Rapids to Waterloo but was probably only used for a short time. It is described in Cedar Township History as east and north of Mt. Auburn. , 7. DEMMEL'S ROCKS: A rock shoal area along the west side of the river. It is remembered as a good fishing area. , 8. MINNE ESTEMA PARK: County Conservation Area owned by the State of Iowa. The area was a popular resort and boating, area established in 1900 by George Knapp. The name means "sleeping waters." Mound building Native Americans lived in the area before Iowa was settled. , 9. BIG ROCK: This huge rock is downstream from Minne Estema but is only visible in times of low water. Sometimes there are riffles visible over the rocks. , 10. NORWOOD'S FISH CAMP: Four cabins were originally established in the 1930's. The Norwood family developed the camp which was used for family fishing vacations and for week-long camps by scouting groups. The original family home and one cabin remain on the property. , 11. BIG ISLAND: Listed as Brant's Island on early maps; known locally as Big Island. The privately owned island is over 300 acres and much is tree covered. The main river channel is on the west side of island with a smaller passage on the east side. Otters are often seen in this area. Large fields of bluebells filled sandy areas on the island for many years. , 12. TIMBUC: Backwater area across from upper Big Island has been known for many years as Timbuc. The name may have come from a remote African location. , 13. MOUTH OF PIT: This channel leads to an active sand pit area. , 14. ROCKY SHORE: A special rocky area below Mouth of Pit that is close to the railroad. , 15. HORSE THIEF CAVES: Early legends of Benton County include this location as a holding area for stolen horses. , 16. DUDGEON AREA: Managed by Department of Natural Resources. It is primarily a wildlife, fishing, and hunting area. Backwaters encourage migratory ducks and other birds. Trails provide excellent spring warbler watching as well. , 17. WYMAN'S PARK: County conservation Area. It is a river's edge area with walk down steps to the river for fishing and relaxation. Formerly it was a farm site with buildings and a strawberry growing business. , 18. CELEBRATION PARK AND CELEBRATE THE RED CEDAR RIVER EXHIBIT: This area was once the site of homes and small businesses. These were seriously damaged in the flood of 2008. It was repurposed by the community into a park area. In the mid-1800's this was a landing area when the steamboat delivered supplies and materials in the mid-1800's. Starting in the 1950's KEEFER'S SPORT SHOP was a longtime favorite for the fishermen and sportsmen. , 19. ICE HOUSE: River ice was cut in deep winter temperatures; stored in sawdust at the ice house; delivered in 25 or 50 pound chunks to homes for the ice box during the summer. , 20. TWO BOAT RAMPS NEAR VINTON: One ramp is on the north side of the river directly across from Celebration Park; other ramp is located downstream near Riverside City Park. , 21. MILROY ACCESS: County Conservation Area. , 22. HIGH BANKS: Named for high banks near the Vinton Golf Course on the west side of the river. It was an excellent catfishing area. , 23. LOVER'S LEAP: A high rock formation that carries a legend of lost love leading to a leap toward the river. , 24. HOEFLE-DULIN PARK: County Conservation Area. A recreation area near the river. There is a small island just above the park. Mud Creek joins the Cedar River at this point. , 25. KNUPP'S CABIN: An abandoned area that was once the site of a private cabin. , 26. NOELLER'S ROCKS: A rocky river bank noted for good fishing for many varieties of Cedar River fish. It is located near a road that leads into an area with many cabins. , 27. BENTON CITY-FRY PARK: County Conservation Area. This is near the lost settlement of Benton City. At one time it was the largest town in Benton County. The railroad was built to Vinton instead of Benton City and the town virtually disappeared. , 28. WEBB'S BAYOU AND HARGER'S SPRING: A nearby creek flows into the Cedar River here. There were early county settlements here. RUMP TUMP is a book about life in the area and was written by Annabell Harger Weaver. , 29. WILDCAT BLUFF PARK: County Conservation Area. This park is located near the original Urbana road bridge. The bridge supports are still present. , 30. LINGER LONGER: An early picnic and gathering area near the Benton-Linn county line. , These locations are part of the Benton County Conservation Parks program. , MAPSOURCE: US Geological Survey, 1968-1971 with sections photo revised 1982 The details on this map are as accurate as we could make them. We gave it our very best. If there's an omission it wasn't on purpose.

Points of Interest
If you are planning any exploration, please be respectful of private property.
1. BURMEISTER’S ISLAND: Located at Benton/Black Hawk County line, this privately owned island is a haven for numerous wildlife and birds throughout the year.

2. OLD MT. AUBURN BRIDGE: Located a short distance downstream from current bridge, the original bridge was an iron structure built in early 1900's. A spring flood in 1965 washed out the bridge. The original stone piers still exist. Privately owned cabins are on the south side of the river.

3. *WINEGAR PARK: County Conservation Area: drive-in area for fishing and hunting. There is also an equestrian trail. Area is downstream from Old Mt. Auburn Bridge.

4. *TOBIN’S CABIN AREA AND LIME CREEK: County conservation Area. The cabin was owned by Judge Tobin which gave the area its name. It was given to the County Conservation board in 1977. The cabin was ruined by the flood of 2008. Only the fireplace remains as part of a shelter. An existing cabin is available for rent by Benton County Conservation. TOBIN TALES by John Tobin has numerous stories related to the area including Native American history. Lime Creek flows into the Cedar River nearby and was an active spawning area for bass for many years.

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Tobin's granddaughter remembers fishing with her grandfather for chubs in the creek from a suspension bridge used for creek crossing at the time.

5. SAUER’S ROCKS: A rock shoal downstream from Lime Creek. It is located on the east side of the river. The bluff has washed away in some areas, but the limestone rock areas are good for fishing.

6. REMINGTON'S FERRY: It is listed as a stop for the steamboats on the route from Cedar Rapids to Waterloo but was probably only used for a short time. It is described in Cedar Township History as east and north of Mt. Auburn.

7. DEMMEL'S ROCKS: A rock shoal area along the west side of the river. It is remembered as a good fishing area.

8. *MINNE ESTEMA PARK: County Conservation Area owned by the State of Iowa. The area was a popular resort and boating, area established in 1900 by George Knapp. The name means "sleeping waters." Mound building Native Americans lived in the area before Iowa was settled.

9. BIG ROCK: This huge rock is downstream from Minne Estema but is only visible in times of low water. Sometimes there are riffles visible over the rocks.

10. NORWOOD'S FISH CAMP: Four cabins were originally established in the 1930's. The Norwood family developed the camp which was used for family fishing vacations and for week-long camps by scouting groups.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2021

2. Red Cedar River Marker

Looking north through the Harrison Pavilion. The marker is in the middle of the kiosk.

The original family home and one cabin remain on the property.

11. BIG ISLAND: Listed as Brant's Island on early maps; known locally as Big Island. The privately owned island is over 300 acres and much is tree covered. The main river channel is on the west side of island with a smaller passage on the east side. Otters are often seen in this area. Large fields of bluebells filled sandy areas on the island for many years.

12. TIMBUC: Backwater area across from upper Big Island has been known for many years as Timbuc. The name may have come from a remote African location.

13. MOUTH OF PIT: This channel leads to an active sand pit area.

14. ROCKY SHORE: A special rocky area below Mouth of Pit that is close to the railroad.

15. HORSE THIEF CAVES: Early legends of Benton County include this location as a holding area for stolen horses.

16. DUDGEON AREA: Managed by Department of Natural Resources. It is primarily a wildlife, fishing, and hunting area. Backwaters encourage migratory ducks and other birds. Trails provide excellent spring warbler watching as well.

17. *WYMAN'S PARK: County conservation Area. It is a river's edge area with walk down steps to the river for fishing and relaxation. Formerly it was a farm site with buildings and a strawberry growing business.

18.
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CELEBRATION PARK AND CELEBRATE THE RED CEDAR RIVER EXHIBIT: This area was once the site of homes and small businesses. These were seriously damaged in the flood of 2008. It was repurposed by the community into a park area. In the mid-1800's this was a landing area when the steamboat delivered supplies and materials in the mid-1800's. Starting in the 1950's KEEFER'S SPORT SHOP was a longtime favorite for the fishermen and sportsmen.

19. ICE HOUSE: River ice was cut in deep winter temperatures; stored in sawdust at the ice house; delivered in 25 or 50 pound chunks to homes for the ice box during the summer.

20. TWO BOAT RAMPS NEAR VINTON: One ramp is on the north side of the river directly across from Celebration Park; other ramp is located downstream near Riverside City Park.

21. *MILROY ACCESS: County Conservation Area.

22. HIGH BANKS: Named for high banks near the Vinton Golf Course on the west side of the river. It was an excellent catfishing area.

23. LOVER'S LEAP: A high rock formation that carries a legend of lost love leading to a leap toward the river.

24. *HOEFLE-DULIN PARK: County Conservation Area. A recreation area near the river. There is a small island just above the park. Mud Creek joins the Cedar River at this point.

25. KNUPP'S CABIN: An abandoned area that was once the site of a private cabin.

26. NOELLER'S ROCKS: A rocky river bank noted for good fishing for many varieties of Cedar River fish. It is located near a road that leads into an area with many cabins.

27. *BENTON CITY-FRY PARK: County Conservation Area. This is near the lost settlement of Benton City. At one time it was the largest town in Benton County. The railroad was built to Vinton instead of Benton City and the town virtually disappeared.

28. WEBB'S BAYOU AND HARGER'S SPRING: A nearby creek flows into the Cedar River here. There were early county settlements here. RUMP TUMP is a book about life in the area and was written by Annabell Harger Weaver.

29. *WILDCAT BLUFF PARK: County Conservation Area. This park is located near the original Urbana road bridge. The bridge supports are still present.

30. LINGER LONGER: An early picnic and gathering area near the Benton-Linn county line.

* These locations are part of the Benton County Conservation Parks program.

MAPSOURCE: US Geological Survey, 1968-1971 with sections photo revised 1982
The details on this map are as accurate as we could make them. We gave it our very best. If there's an omission it wasn't on purpose.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 42° 10.212′ N, 92° 1.504′ W. Marker is in Vinton, Iowa, in Benton County. It can be reached from the intersection of A Avenue and West 1st Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located in the Cedar River interpretive kiosk at the Harrison Pavilion on the north side of Celebration Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 West 2nd Street, Vinton IA 52349, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Many Bridges Built to Cross the Cedar River (here, next to this marker); Moments in Time on the Cedar (here, next to this marker); Minne Estema Park (here, next to this marker); Flooding of the Cedar River (here, next to this marker); Iowa Canning Co. Seed House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Watson's Opera House (about 700 feet away); Sweet Corn Day Festival (approx. 0.2 miles away); Benton County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vinton.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 554 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 20, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.