Madrid in Boone County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Cassel Corner Park
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2025
1. Cassel Corner Park Marker
In 1845 Peter Cassel and son C.J., with others of Kisa, Ostergotland, Sweden, founded New Sweden, IA, the first permanent Swedish-American settlement since the 17th century.
Peter's February 1846 letter gave directions both to New Sweden and a proposed new settlement where the Dalander family and others founded Swede Point.
Swede Point was incorporated as the City of Madrid in 1883.
Erected by Madrid Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.
Location. 41° 52.548′ N, 93° 49.234′ W. Marker is in Madrid, Iowa, in Boone County. It is at the intersection of South State Street and West 2nd Street, on the left when traveling north on South State Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 1/2 South State Street, Madrid IA 50156, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Josiah Hopkins' 20-Mile House (approx. 4.9 miles away); Granger Subsistence Homestead Project (approx. 7.8 miles away); Big Creek Schoolhouse
this page online
Also see . . . The First Swedish Colonies in Iowa (rootsweb.com).
Excerpt: As most of the Swedish immigrants came from the rural districts of their native land, their chief desire was to acquire ownership of a home and a piece of land. This desire attracted them to the western prairies, instead of the more densely populated eastern states, and made them brave the dangers and the hardships incident to pioneering in a new country. Many of them located on homesteads, and took up their first abode in a dugout, a sod house or a log cabin. Others purchased railroad land, or bought out earlier settlers who had tired of frontier life and were ready to dispose of their holdings. Their unfamiliarity with the English language and their devotion to their own form of religious services, in the only language that spoke to their heart, caused the Swedish pioneers to settle in groups, whenever convenient. Thus more or less compact Swedish settlements sprang up in various(Submitted on October 29, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)places all over the state of Iowa.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 20252. Cassel Corner Park Marker
The first permanent Swedish settlement in the state of Iowa was the so-called Cassel colony which was founded in 1845 at New Sweden in Jefferson county. To Cassel belongs the distinction of leading the first large party of emigrants from Sweden into one of the prairie states of America, and founding a community that is still in existence. The second Swedish colony in Iowa was founded in 1846 at Swede Point, in Boone County, by the Dalander family. Its name was later changed to Madrid, by which name it is still known. In due time, a number of smaller settlements sprang up in the vicinity of Madrid, at Boonesboro, Moingona, Pilot Mound, Boxholm, and Ogden.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2025
3. Cassel Corner Park Marker
The marker and the park are at the southwest corner of the South State Street and West 2nd Street intersection.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 52 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 29, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
