Country Heritage
Community
Maize Maze
Located at the Gilbertson Nature Center near Elgin, Iowa, the most fun
and unique one-day adventure your family will take this summer! Try finding your way
out of this mathematically designed, four-acre puzzler in a field of corn. Click for more details.
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When, over 100 years ago, the
first Norwegian immigrants wrote back to Norway about life in Vesterheim, their western
home, they spoke for countless others from other countries and cultures who helped build a
nation of immigrants. Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum invites you to relive that
stirring saga, from its Old World roots to its New World flowering. It's all here:
the carved furnishings, vibrant decorative arts, and traditional costumes of old Norway.
Drop in for a short visit, or stay all day.
There's plenty to see and do. In fact, with 15 historic buildings
covering almost an entire square block in downtown Decorah, Iowa, and a farmstead and
country church 7 miles outside the city, Vesterheim is the most comprehensive museum in
the US dedicated to a single immigrant group. Be sure to stop by the gift shop and
cafe where you can enjoy both Norwegian and American cuisine.
Vesterheim is located at 502
West Water Street, Decorah, IA 52101
May 1 — October 31 (Includes tours of Open Air
Division)
Open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Adults, $5; Ages 7-18, $3
November 1 — April 30
Open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Monday), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Adults, $4; Ages 7-18, $2
The museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day,
New Year's Day, and Easter.
Group rates and specialty tours can
be arranged, call Martha Griesheimer at Vesterheim, 563-382-9681, for
information.
Visit Their Website.
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Effigy Mounds National Monument is
located 3 miles north of Marquette, Iowa off highway 76. Established by presidential
proclamation in 1949, the
Indian mound building culture that
regularly constructed mounds in the shape of mammals, birds, or reptiles. The monument
contains 2,526 acres with 195 mounds of which 31 are effigies.
The visitor center, located at the
park entrance, contains museum exhibits, an auditorium and book sales outlet. There are no
lodging or camping facilities in the park. Visitors may look at the mounds, spectacular
views from bluffs along the Mississippi River and more than 100 acres of prairie by
walking along 11 miles of hiking trails. No roads exist in the park. Three mounds are
accessible to disabled visitors in the immediate vicinity of the visitor center.
You can check out Effigy Mounds National Parks Service site at
http://www.nps.gov/efmo/
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This nationally recognized
landmark is the only childhood home remaining on its original site. Laura Ingalls Wilder's
little house books have thrilled children and adults alike with tales of pioneer life
since 1932. She started writing these books when she was 65 years old. The "missing
link" in her series of books was the year she spent in Burr Oak and comes between her
stories of "On the Banks of Plum Creek" and "By the Shores of Silver
Lake".
Be sure to stop by the gift shop. The
Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum is located in extreme NE Iowa on Highway 52 just 12
miles North of Decorah. We are 3 miles South of Junction 52 & 44 in Minnesota. Phone
(563) 735-5916. Open May 1 through October 31 from
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Other times by appointment. Admission charged.
Visit their website.
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Osborne Nature Center
Features live animal exhibits, nature center, trails, gardens,
fishing & more! Free admission. Phone: (563) 245-1516. South of
Elkader off Hwy. 13 - also an Iowa Welcome Center. Close to the Maize Maze!
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Gilbertson Nature Center
Features nature displays
and a cool petting zoo.
On B-64, east of Elgin.
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Montauk
Home of Iowa's 12th governor and his wife, William and Anna Larrabee. The Larrabee family
furnished and maintained this 1874 brick and native limestone mansion for more than 100
years. All original furnishings remain. The home is owned and preserved by the State
Historical Society, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a
state preserve. Guided tours available starting May 1st. Located one mile north of
Clermont on US 18. Phone: (563) 423-7173. Montauk keeps a current list of
events on the Clermont, Iowa
website at: http://www.clermontia.org
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Seed Savers Exchange
Huge gardens grow out heritage vegetables and flowers for preservation of genetics. Open
all summer. Self-guided. Free admission. Located five miles north of Decorah off US 52 at
3076 North Winn Rd. Phone (563) 382-5990.
Visit their website for more
information.
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Decorah Hatchery
The Decorah Hatchery on Water St. is one of the last small hatcheries still operating on a
small town main street. During the hatching season, three large wooden incubators
contain 20,000 eggs each and trays of chicks sing a chorus of peeping throughout the
day. Visitors are welcome during regular business hours. Visit their website for more information.
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Echoes from
the Valley
In their own words, the people of the Turkey River Valley tell
its story. A look at Northeast Iowa’s past. For more information, call Ardie
Kuhse at (877) 4NE-IOWA or email her. To
order a book, send a check to Ardie Kuhse, UERPC, PO Box 219, Postville, IA
52162. The price is $10 + $3 s/h. Click
for more information.
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Commercial Fishing Museum
Displays
highlights of early Lansing's development as a Mississippi River town
including steam-boating, commercial fishing, the pearl industry, and ice
harvesting. Call (563) 568-2624 for
more information or email waukoncc@rconnect.com.
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Fish Farm Mounds
Just 6 short miles north of Lansing, you'll come across Fish
Farm Mounds a state preserve where you can see the work of prehistoric Native American
Mound Builders. Call (563) 568-2624 for more information or email waukoncc@rconnect.com.
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Mt. Hosmer
This 104 acre city park, in Lansing, is located atop a
450-foot bluff, offering spectacular view of 50 miles of Mississippi River Valley in three
states (Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota). This access is the shortest drive from the
river of any overlook in the Upper Mississippi Valley. Call (563) 568-2624 for more
information or email waukoncc@rconnect.com.
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Sweeney's House of Clocks
Sweeney's House of Clocks, one-half mile south of Waukon on
13th Avenue S.W. displays nearly 1000 antique and homemade clocks demonstrating the
artistic craft of clockmakers, as well as other artifacts. Hours are by appointment
only by calling (563) 568-4577.
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The Allamakee County Historical Center
The Allamakee County Historical Center located in Waukon's
restored courthouse, shows turn-of-the-century rooms, among exhibits. Call (563) 568-2624
for more information or email waukoncc@rconnect.com.
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Old Courthouse Museum
Here you can image trials from long ago as the judge sat in
the old courtroom peering a the clock illuminated by kerosene lamps. You'll also
find American Indian artifacts, items from early wars, a Victorian parlor, and more. Call
(563) 568-2624 for more information or email waukoncc@rconnect.com.
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Yellow River State Forest Park
Encompassing 8,000 acres of timbered hills and valleys, and
freshwater streams. Yellow River State Park is the perfect place for nature lovers,
campers, fishing and hunting enthusiasts. Hiking and horseback riding are also among
summer activities; in the winter, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers enjoy the
challenges of the varied terrain. Groomed trails are maintained for beginner,
intermediate, and advanced skiers. Call (563) 568-2624 for more information or email waukoncc@rconnect.com.
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Village
Creek History
Village Creek a name covering a combination of three town
plats on section 18, the first of which called Milton was laid out in 1854 by Jesse Rose,
he built the first flour mill there. The spring of 1857 Rose platted another tract to the
east of Milton, called it Village Creek, which was the name of the post officer at that
time. An effort was made to have it called Milton, but there was already a post office of
that name in the state. L.E. Fellows was the first postmaster.
In 1857, a brick yard, blacksmith shop, and three flour mills in complete operation, begin
to let their works be shown. In October no less than twenty houses had been constructed in
the last nine months.
December 6, 1858 Mr. Dayton commenced teaching school in this flourishing little town.
April, 1862 one of many disastrous floods visited the valley destroying all bridges and
flooding low lands. Mr. Dayton again rebuilt a woolen factory at Village Creek. February
6, 1866 Dayton made this entry in his diary, We did our first weaving today. On April 2
that year Village Creek had the misfortune to be again visited by a flood, causing the
factory dam to go out, washing away all bridges and damage untold. They repaired the
factory and were again ready for sale.
Mr. Dayton went East and when he returned in Sept. he brought home a wife, having married
Marie Aldrich. They resided in Village Creek for several years. In 1868 the mills were
destroyed by fire, but were rebuilt through the untiring energy of Mr. Dayton, but were
again destroyed by fire in 1875.
Call (563) 568-2624 for more information or email waukoncc@rconnect.com
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Little Tour along the Big River
Laura
Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum