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 . . . — — Map (db m287365) HM
The Bremer County Freedom Rock
First the Iowa Tour and the Bremer County Freedom Rock, located in the pretty little town of Readlyn, Iowa is completed and has been for a couple of weeks. This town is full of great people and . . . — — Map (db m135838) HM
Erected in tribute to the men of Bremer County who gave their lives to preserve the Union 1861 Civil War 1865James A Adams James H Akin David W Baskins Francis M Baskins George W Baskins William Baskins Yeager Baum . . . — — Map (db m239690) WM
In grateful memory of those who died in the service of their country Korean ConflictWiliam Arthur Chapin Lester Henry Diekmann Robert Goodspeed Laurence Mettlin Robert C. Niemann VietnamAllen Avery Verlyn Bruns Donald Francis . . . — — Map (db m239694) WM
Erected in tribute to the men of Bremer County who gave their lives to preserve the Peace 1914 World War I 1918August Acker Wm Jay Barber Fred Beckel Albert Bockhous Joe Cretzmeyer Ira Harker Emil J Keding John E Kuethe . . . — — Map (db m239698) WM
Ira and Asenath Sturdevant House: A Living History Project
Built of brick in 1855-6, the Ira & Asenath Sturdevant house is the oldest surviving dwelling in Waverly, Iowa. The Sturdevants, accompanied and followed by their many adult . . . — — Map (db m277981) HM
15 July 1886, Orlando Babcock and others purchased about 29 woodland acres northwest of the BCR&N Short Line bridge across the Shell Rock River. They planned to establish a park for picnicking, fishing and camping. It was a ten-minute railroad . . . — — Map (db m277984) HM
With the faith and courage of their forefathers who made possible the freedom of these United States The Boy Scouts of America dedicate this copy of the Statue of Liberty as a pledge of everlasting fidelity and loyalty 40th Anniversary . . . — — Map (db m177079) HM
Single Roll Weight 18 Tons Will crush a rock the size of a 30-gallon barrel Purchased as a used machine for $2800 at Reading, PA. Installed at the Schield Lime Quarry in 1941 — — Map (db m290060) HM
Long before the Rock Island Railroad opened its new passenger depot in 1910 on land originally platted by William Sturdevant, this corner was an important commercial location. Edward Knott and his sons John and Alfred operated a horse importing and . . . — — Map (db m237099) HM
June 1886 - The Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern RR (BCR&N) was contracted to build a Short Rail Line to Waverly from its main north-south line. The Short Line would run from what became known as Waverly Junction, approximately 5 miles . . . — — Map (db m277987) HM
Two architecture students at Iowa State University, Ann Cashman of Waverly and Darian Lu of Shanghai, China, created the unique plan, winning an architectural design competition in the process. Their 18" by 90" design of a community amphitheater . . . — — Map (db m277867) HM
Soon after the town was originally surveyed in 1853, Waverlys settlers had timber cleared, a dam in place and buildings constructed. In 1856, citizens constructed a foot bridge across the river, along with a ferry to accommodate teams of horses. . . . — — Map (db m238100) HM
A dam was thrown across the river, logs, stone and other material being used in its construction... Account of Harmon building the first dam in 1853, (History of Butler and Bremer Counties, Iowa) The Cedar River was recognized . . . — — Map (db m238174) HM
In 1905 there were again major repairs made to the dam, as well as improvements to the hydro-electric plant including installation of a coal-fired steam plant, which offered increased capacity for producing electricity. In 1908 an explosion and . . . — — Map (db m238179) HM
Throughout Waverly's history the Cedar River has provided a beautiful backdrop for the city, and has been a beloved recreational spot to fish, swim and boat. Long-time Waverly residents have also grown accustomed to flooding. Nearly every decade . . . — — Map (db m238183) HM
For over 150 years, the Waverly Dam has been integral to the city. Over the years the value of the Cedar River to industrial and economic development has led to extended development on the adjacent floodplain. The risk of flooding in Waverly . . . — — Map (db m238187) HM
Historic Transportation Corridor
From 1912 to 1973, the Waterloo, Cedar Falls, & Northern Railway operated the Cedar Valley Road (CVR) as an electronic rail line providing passenger and freight service between Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, and . . . — — Map (db m278882) HM
The Fryin' Pan was built in 2004 by several local men to promote Brandon's Cowboy Breakfast. It took 41 hours of volunteer labor hours to construct, and was modeled (to scale) after a 10 inch cast iron frying pan. Iowa's Largest Fryin' Pan has an . . . — — Map (db m278383) HM
Welcome to the Buchanan County Freedom Rock at Heartland Acres. Thank you for visiting. While visiting this memorial, please enjoy the art and take a lot of pictures. As you enjoy this memorial, please also be conscious of what it represents in . . . — — Map (db m292600) HM
History of the Wapsipinicon Mill March 7, 1867 the Independence Mills Co. was organized for the purpose of buying water power and building a custom and merchants flouring mill. Work began immediately and began operation as a flouring mill . . . — — Map (db m162161) HM
This property is listed in The National Register of Historic Places Iowa State Historical Department Division of Historic Preservation — — Map (db m238795) HM
Calhoun County Freedom Rock Timeline
Story Board Provided in Memory of Lloyd Everett Webb (1941 - 2016)
April 18, 2013 Application to host the Calhoun County Freedom Rock in Rockwell City submitted by the Rockwell . . . — — Map (db m135809) HM WM
Union Pacific Railroad in Iowa Iowa crews began laying the first rails in 1854. A year later, the first locomotive was shipped across the Mississippi River by ferry. As with the Pacific line, the U.S. government was instrumental in . . . — — Map (db m186198) HM
At 1:40 am during a blizzard on January 18th, 1960, a World War II and Korean War marine veteran conducted a successful emergency landing of a DC-3 airplane a few yards north of this spot.
Shortly after an 8:30pm takeoff from St. Louis, MO, . . . — — Map (db m145234) HM
[south side]Glidden bookends the World Wars with Merle Hay & Enola Gay [north side]Joseph Glidden Inventor of modern barbed wire Donald Sparks POW☆MIA [west side]Medal of . . . — — Map (db m285858) HM
Merle D. Hay Co. F. 16th Infantry A.E.F. Killed near Artois France Nov. 3, 1917. The first Iowa soldier and one of the first three soldiers of the United States killed in action in the World War. The State of Iowa has caused this . . . — — Map (db m285873) HM WM
Private Merle D. Hay, a native of Glidden, Iowa, was one of the first three American soldiers killed in action during World War 1. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for valor by the Commanding General, 1st Division, for his heroic actions . . . — — Map (db m285867) HM
Milwaukee Railroad Trestle
Manning, Iowa
Carroll County
[Train on trestle with WWII Soldier]
It is Easy to Take Liberty for Granted when You have never had it Taken from You.
[Eagle with a Shield]
[Nurses, Fire Fighters, . . . — — Map (db m168847) WM
When Manning needed a water tower, a committee proposed a wood standpipe. But Manning-native Henry Brunnier, a freshman engineering student at Iowa State College (ISC), disagreed. He told the city council of his professor, Anson Marston, who . . . — — Map (db m285290) HM
As you view this memorial, please note that the centerpiece shows personnel from different military branches and time periods of U.S. history. They are saluting the flag and those who lost their lives in the service of their country. At the same . . . — — Map (db m168853) WM
Honor Roll of Cass County Veterans
Ackerman, Henry ·
Adams, Henry ·
Adams, R. D. ·
Alexander, S. G. ·
Allen, E. D. ·
Alvord, Cyrenus S. ·
Ammon, Francis M. ·
Anderson, Gus ·
Anderson, William O. ·
Andrew, Watson L. · . . . — — Map (db m93779) WM
This 14 by 18 foot log cabin was built by John Gingery in 1863 in what was called Five Mile Grove located two miles northeast of Atlantic. John left Stark County Ohio where he had been raised and had become a school teacher. He was twenty-six . . . — — Map (db m93783) HM
Iowa assumed an important place in Americas Underground Railroad history when Missourians closed off the Missouri River to Kansas bound settlers. For Iowa residents involved in helping runaways, the work was a dangerous and illegal business. Most . . . — — Map (db m93885) HM
Hitchcock House
——————————
In sparsely settled Cass County
an entire company was enlisted
in Lewis, 1862.
Company I 23rd Infantry . . . — — Map (db m93805) WM
In 1948 fire destroyed this area. Thru public funding, and labor, in 1949, this Memorial Building, arose.
Lewis, Iowa, First 1855 Home, Cass County, Court House — — Map (db m93820) HM
Rev. George B. Hitchcock House
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance
in commemorating the history of the
United States of America
This property is listed in the
National . . . — — Map (db m93862) HM
Beginning in February of 1846, the vanguard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) struggled across southern Iowa on the way to their "New Zion" in the Rocky Mountains.
The trek from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Kanesville . . . — — Map (db m93813) HM
Beginning in February of 1846, the vanguard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) struggled across southern Iowa on the way to their "New Zion" in the Rocky Mountains.
The trek from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Kanesville . . . — — Map (db m93882) HM
Determined and authenticated
by the Historical Department of Iowa, 1911.
This monument was erected in 1917 by the
Iowa Daughters of the American Revolution
in memory of the pioneers who followed
this trail and its tributaries.
We cross . . . — — Map (db m93819) HM
In honor of those who served
in World Wars One and Two
In Memory Of
Ray Enfield Frank H. Enfield
Guy H. Peters Harry Porter
Kenneth Lawton Bernard Kaiser
Wayne Reynolds — — Map (db m93818) WM
This site is along the original route of the Herbert Hoover Highway, a 42-mile series of local, state and county roads that run between the foot of old capitol in Iowa City and the Cedar County community of Lowden. The Hoover Highway was . . . — — Map (db m251088) HM
The four houses on this Poplar Street block were here in the 1870s and 1880s when Herbert Hoover was a boy. Families built the houses on lots they bought from John Wetherell, a Quaker real-estate developer who had subdivided 5 acres. The Hoover's . . . — — Map (db m162572) HM
Born in a modest two-room cottage, Herbert Hoover spent most of his first 11 years in West branch. He went on to become the President of the United States-the first one born west of the Mississippi River. Here Hoover's parents and neighbors . . . — — Map (db m163143) HM
“It was here that I was given that tender care of mind and body, those first steps in education, that knowledge of poverty and struggle for family betterment which contribute to understanding of American life.” President . . . — — Map (db m87749) HM
“My country owes me nothing. It gave me, as it gives every boy and girl, a chance . . . In no other land could a boy from a country village, without inheritance or influential friends, look forward with unbounded hope.” . . . — — Map (db m87751) HM
“My country owes me nothing. It gave me, as it gives every boy and girl, a chance...in no other land could a boy from a country village, without inheritance or influential friends, look forward with unbounded . . . — — Map (db m162568) HM
This cottage where I was born is physical proof of the unbounded opportunity of American life. In no other land could a boy from a country village, without inheritance or influential friends, look forward with unbounded hope. . . . — — Map (db m162634) HM
Charles E. Smith, a Civil War veteran and carpenter, moved in the 1880s to West Branch with his wife, Deborah. In 1903 he finished this dream house on top of Cooks Hill, down the road to your left, where each spring he tapped his maple trees to . . . — — Map (db m162619) HM
Visit the West Branch Commercial Historic District, just a block up the street. Buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s, now listed in the National Register of Historic places, show how downtown West Branch changed from modest wood structures . . . — — Map (db m162607) HM
As a boy Herbert Hoover liked to watch his father, Jesse, shoe horses and repair plows, but he was not always careful. "Playing barefoot around the blacksmith shop," he recalled, "I stepped on a chip of hot iron and carry the brand of Iowa on my . . . — — Map (db m162555) HM
The Hoover family worshipped in this building along with neighbors and relatives who were members of the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers as they are often called. West Branch was predominately a Quaker community in the 1850's when this . . . — — Map (db m48312) HM
Herbert Clark Hoover was born on August 10, 1874, in this two-room cottage. He spent his early boyhood years on the edge of the village Surrounded by farmland. His parents, relatives, and many neighbors were Quakers whose daily lives were . . . — — Map (db m163144) HM
Amanda Garvin was single and 35 when she bought this lot for $90 in 1870 and had the cottage built. She was renting the house by 1878 but lost it to foreclosure in 1885. With its gingerbread trim and ornamental arches, the cottage is a wonderful . . . — — Map (db m162642) HM
The Statue of Isis, Egyptian goddess of life, symbolizes Herbert Hoover's humanitarian efforts. Belgians gave Hoover the bronze statue to thank him for his help and staving off famine in their country in World War I. Hoover, a wealthy mining . . . — — Map (db m162581) HM
This site commemorates the life and accomplishments of Herbert Hover, 31st President (1929-1932). The first president born west of the Mississippi River. Hoover grew up in a tradition that deeply influenced his ideals and long life of public . . . — — Map (db m48307) HM
Herbert Hoover, the first president born west of the Mississippi, spent his formative years in this neighborhood, which is preserved as Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. You may visit his birthplace and other buildings he remembered from his . . . — — Map (db m162574) HM
"This cottage where I was born is physical proof of the unbounded opportunity of American life."
In 1871, Jesse Hoover built this two-room cottage near his blacksmith shop and moved in with his wife, Hulda, and young son, Theodore. . . . — — Map (db m162633) HM
President Herbert Hoover died in New York City on October 20, 1964, at the age of 90. Five days later his body was interred on this hillside overlooking his birthplace and presidential library-a symbolic vista of his journey from birth to death. . . . — — Map (db m162637) HM
The Hoovers bought a home on this site in 1879. During the winter Theodore, Herbert and Mary enjoyed sledding with the Peter Smith youngsters who lived in the green house just south of here. Jesse Hoover died in 1880. Hulda passed away three years . . . — — Map (db m48316) HM
You are viewing 76 acres of partially restored tall grass prairie, planted in 1971. Extending from the historic Miles Farm, at the hilltop on your left, it provides a south western boundary for the historic site. Prior to the . . . — — Map (db m163147) HM
This was the home of Herbert Hoover's aunt and uncle, Agnes and Laban Miles, before they moved in 1878 to Oklahoma Territory. Laban served as agent on the Osage and Kaw Indian Reservation. Hoover, age eight, stayed with them for several months after . . . — — Map (db m162579) HM
Quakers, including the Hoovers, believe strongly in educating both boys and girls equally, and by 1853 West Branch's population was large enough to build this one-room schoolhouse. Because the Quakers had raised much of the funds, they also used it . . . — — Map (db m162554) HM
Dr. Lewis J. Leech built and moved into this house in 1920. Before that he hosted ice cream socials and Fourth of July parties on the lot. When Dr. Leech died in 1937 at age 91, former President Hoover praised his “long life of usefulness...to . . . — — Map (db m162610) HM
In this meetinghouse, the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, practiced principles of simplicity, honesty, equality, peace, and service to others. These values shaped young Hoover's character and were evident in his humanitarian endeavors . . . — — Map (db m162636) HM
The early settlers of West Branch had a strong regard for education, and in 1853 they built this school. It was used not only as a school but as a place of worship for the members of the Society of Friends. Originally the building housed all of the . . . — — Map (db m162553) HM
As a boy Herbert Hoover visited his relatives at their farm on the top of this hill. Issac and Esther Miles' 100-acre property was typical of the self-sufficient farms that surrounded West Branch. In 1880 they had 73 acres under cultivation with . . . — — Map (db m163148) HM
This landscape offers a glimpse of the tallgrass prairie that once covered 85 percent of Iowa. By the time of Herbert Hoover's birth in 1874, farmers were converting much of the state's prairie to cropland. When Hoover was a boy, Isaac Miles . . . — — Map (db m163149) HM
Miss Amanda Garvin purchased this lot in 1870 and by 1872 had this small frame cottage built. She resided here until 1878. Herbert Hoover was familiar with this house and would have passed it often to and from school. The Garvin Cottage is . . . — — Map (db m162640) HM
Charles Smith moved to West Branch in the 1880s and pursued his trade as a carpenter and contractor. In 1903 Smith built this retirement dream home for himself and his wife. They celebrated many special occasions here including their 50th wedding . . . — — Map (db m162618) HM
Dr. L.J. Leech opened a medical practice in West Branch in 1882 and practiced here for the next 55 years. For many years he lived in the house one door to the north. In 1920 he moved to this home and lived here until his death in 1937. At his . . . — — Map (db m162609) HM
This house was built in 1899 for Hannah Varney. Mrs. Varney lived in the house only about one year, but her daughters Cora and Clara continued to live here until 1915. Although built some thirteen years after Herbert Hoover left West Branch, this . . . — — Map (db m162575) HM
This site is along the original route of the Herbert Hoover Highway, a 42-mile series of local, state and county roads that run between the foot of Old Capitol in Iowa City and the Cedar County community of Lowden. The Hoover Highway was designated . . . — — Map (db m76108) HM
Herbert Hoovers distinguished uncle, Laban Miles, owned this house from 1875-1886, and Herbert would have visited the Miles family here on many occasions. In 1878 Laban Miles moved his family to the Oklahoma Territory where he had been appointed . . . — — Map (db m162578) HM
David Mackey, a local carpenter, built this house between 1868 and 1871. He lived in this home until 1876. Mackey also ran a butcher shop and served as mayor of West Branch in 1879 and postmaster in 1885. Built several years before his birth, this . . . — — Map (db m87736) HM
Hannah Varney built this house in 1899 after divorcing her husband. She lived here with her six children less than a year, moved to Iowa City, and left the house to her daughters Cora and Clara, who lived here until 1915.
Photo . . . — — Map (db m162577) HM
Many of the commercial buildings in West Branch are included in a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. It commemorates the “Golden Age of American Agriculture” (1895-1916). A variety of shops and services are . . . — — Map (db m162573) HM
Historic Iowa City
The land on which Iowa City is located was a wilderness when it was selected and surveyed for the capital of the Territory of Iowa in 1839. The cornerstone of the new capitol building was laid by Governor Lucas on July 4, . . . — — Map (db m224357) HM
The Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, located in nearby West Branch, honors a distinguished son of Iowa, citizen of the world, and the 31st president of the United States. Established in 1965, the Sites foundations were laid earlier when in . . . — — Map (db m224358) HM
This World Trade Center steel memorial is dedicated on September 11, 2012 to the memory and honor of the 343 firefighters, 60 law enforcement officers, and 3094 citizens that lost their lives on September 11, 2001 in New York City, at the . . . — — Map (db m276435) HM
The above legends played
their last concert at the
Surf Ballroom,
Clear Lake, Iowa,
on February 2, 1959.
Their earthly life
tragically ended in a
plane crash 5.2 miles
northwest of the
Mason City Airport.
February 3, . . . — — Map (db m89468) HM
