Historical Markers and War Memorials in Decatur County, Iowa
Leon is the county seat for Decatur County
Adjacent to Decatur County, Iowa
Clarke County(3) ► Lucas County(6) ► Ringgold County(3) ► Union County(17) ► Wayne County(4) ► Harrison County, Missouri(6) ► Mercer County, Missouri(4) ►
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Near Interstate 35 north of County Highway J52, on the right when traveling north.
The Mormon Trail The Mormons of Nauvoo, Illinois, forced from their homes following the murder of their prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr., began their trek across Iowa in 1846 on the way to the Great Salt Lake Valley. From their first permanent . . . — — Map (db m224588) HM
On Linden Street south of Main Street (U.S. 69), on the right when traveling south.
Graceland College began classes here on September 17, 1895 with 18 students and 3 faculty. The college moved to the campus on "the hill" upon completion of the Administration Building in January, 1897. — — Map (db m86719) HM
On Main Street north of 1st Street (Iowa Highway 2), on the left when traveling north.
1850 • Decatur County was organized
1853 • County seat moved from
Decatur City to Independence
1855 • Town name change from
Independence to South Independence
to Leon
1871 • Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
Railroad arrives in Leon
1874 • . . . — — Map (db m89356) HM
On Main Street south of 3rd Street, on the left when traveling south.
With the faith and courage of
their forefathers who made
possible the freedom of these
United States
The Boy Scouts of America
dedicate this replica of the
Statue of Liberty as a pledge
of everlasting fidelity and
loyalty . . . — — Map (db m72390) HM
On 1st Street (U.S. 69) at Church Street (U.S. 69), on the right when traveling west on 1st Street.
From the late 1840s through the 1860s, an exodus of more than 70,000 Mormons passed by here on their way to their "New Zion" in Utah. Starting from Nauvoo, Illinois in February 1846, the first group of at least 13,000 Mormons crossed into Iowa . . . — — Map (db m72391) HM
