Northeast Iowa Welcome to Historic - Free Visitor Guide 2021 - The Postville Herald
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Welcome to Historic
Northeast Iowa
Free Visitor Guide 2021
n e s h i e k C o u nties
e e - C l a y t o n - Win
Allamak
Welcome to Northeast Iowa!
This guide will give you a glimpse of the people, places and experiences here in Northeast
Iowa, and, specifically, the counties of Allamakee, Clayton, and Winneshiek. We offer many
opportunities for outdoor fun, many along the beautiful Mississippi River, as well as, other
lakes and rivers.
The rolling bluffs provide perfect sites for camping, fishing, hiking and bike riding.
Swimming at area aquatic centers, and golfing at several beautiful golf courses are
excellent ways to spend an afternoon.
Each of the counties offer many parks, and recreational areas including, but certainly not
limited to, the Yellow River State Forest near Harpers Ferry, the Osborne Nature Center
near Elkader, Pikes Peak State Park in and just outside McGregor, Lake Meyer Park just
outside Calmar and the state of Iowa’s only national monument, the Effigy Mounds National
Monument, located on the Mississippi River just north of Marquette.
History is preserved in museums in each of our counties. Museums in Monona, Strawberry
Point, and Decorah showcase our heritage and ethnicity. Postville, known as ‘Hometown
to the World’ has residents from over 20 countries as well as, a large community of ultra-
orthodox Jews. They invite visitors to their Jewish Welcome Center and Kosher Market.
There is also dining at its finest at several restaurants, cafes and coffee shops. Don’t miss
the wineries and breweries along the Mississippi River as well others throughout the area.
There are also several locally-owned motels and bed and breakfasts for your overnight
stays.
Each of our counties showcase a county fair, with the Big Four Fair in Postville celebrating
its 100th anniversary June 18-20, 2021. To honor the occasion all entertainment and
admission is free.
We have collaborated to make this visitor’s guide a great way for you to enjoy and explore
our area. We are sure it will help you discover where you want to visit and where you want
to relax and play in beautiful Northeast Iowa.
Come often and stay a while. You will be glad you did.
CONTENTS
2 Visitor Resources 7 Fork Atkinson Continues 18 Attractions
City of Calmar Bearing Silent Witness 20 Historical Sites
City of Monona 8 School Districts 24 Trout Streams
City of Postville 9 Upper Mississippi River 27 Hunting
3 Explore the City of Calmar National Wildlife Refuge
29 Hospitality
4 Explore the City of Monona 10 Allamake County
29 Places to Stay
5 Explore the City of Postville 12 Winneshiek County
29 Breweries & Wineries
6 Vesterheim Norwegian- 14 Clayton County
American Museum one of the 30 Places to Eat
17 German-American Museum
most prominent landmarks in Expanding Collection, Space
Northeast Iowa
Produced by Mid-America Publishing
May, 2021
9 Second Street NW
Hampton, IA 50441
641-456-2585
CITY OF CALMAR CITY OF MONONA CITY OF POSTVILLE
SERVICES SERVICES SERVICES
CITY HALL . . . . . . . . 563-562-3154 CITY HALL . . . . . . . . 563-539-2355 CITY HALL . . . . . . . . 563-864-7454
FIRE DEPARTMENT, EMERGENCY FIRE DEPARTMENT, EMERGENCY FIRE DEPARTMENT, EMERGENCY
9-1-1; Non-Emergency: . . 563-562-3575 9-1-1; Non-Emergency: . 563-539-2344 9-1-1; Non-Emergency: . . 563-864-7777
POLICE DEPARTMENT, EMERGENCY POLICE DEPARTMENT, EMERGENCY POLICE DEPARTMENT, EMERGENCY
9-1-1; Non-Emergency: . . 563-562-3224 9-1-1; Non-Emergency: . . 563-539-4400 9-1-1; Non-Emergency: . . 563-864-3234
AMBULANCE, EMERGENCY: . . .9-1-1 AMBULANCE, EMERGENCY AMBULANCE, EMERGENCY
9-1-1; Non-Emergency: . . 563-880-1020 9-1-1; Non-Emergency: . . 563-864-7250
CALMAR PUBLIC LIBRARY . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563-562-3010 MURPHY HELWIG LIBRARY . . . . . . POSTVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563-539-2356 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563-864-7600
UTILITIES
GAS UTILITIES UTILITIES
Black Hills Energy, . . . . 888-890-5554 GAS GAS
Black Hills Energy, . . . . 888-890-5554 Black Hills Energy, . . . . 888-890-5554
ELECTRIC
Alliant Energy, . . . . . . . 800-255-4268 ELECTRIC ELECTRIC
Alliant Energy, . . . . . . . 800-255-4268 Alliant Energy, . . . . . . . 800-255-4268
PHONE, INTERNET, TV
or
Mediacom, . . . . . . . . 855-633-4226 PHONE, INTERNET, TV
Allamakeee-Clayton Electric
NEIT, . . . . . . . . . . . 563-539-2122
Cooperative, . . . . . . . 563-864-7611
EDUCATION
South Winneshiek Elementary/Middle EDUCATION PHONE, INTERNET, TV
School, Ossian, . . . . . . 563-532-9365 MFL MarMac Elementary . . . . . . . . NEIT, . . . . . . . . . . . 563-539-2122
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563-539-2032
South Winneshiek High School . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563-562-3226 MFL MarMac Middle School EDUCATION
McGregor, . . . . . . . . . 563-873-2250 Cora B. Darling Elementary . . . . . . .
South Winneshiek CSD District Office . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563-864-7651
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563-562-3269 MFL MarMac High School . . . . . . . .
St. Teresa of Calcutta Calmar Center, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563-539-2031 Postville Junior-Senior High School . . .
563-562-3291 MFL MarMac District Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563-864-7651
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563-539-4795
St. Teresa of Calcutta . . . 563-562-3617 Postville CSD District Office
563-864-7651
St. Teresa of Calcutta Preschool, . . . . FAITH
563-562-1018 Faith Lutheran NALC FAITH
Northeast Iowa Community College . . . 19999 Pleasant Ridge Road . . . . . . . Community Presbyterian Church
. . . . . . . . . .800-728-2256, ext. 399 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563-539-8888 106 South Reynolds Street . . . . . . . .
Living Faith United Methodist Parish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563-864-3736
FAITH 702 South Main Street . . . 563-539-2988 St. Bridget’s Catholic Church
Calmar Lutheran Church
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church 135 West Williams Street . . . . . . . .
200 North East Street, . . 563-522-3633
405 South East Street . . . 563-539-4442 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563-864-3138
Calmar United Methodist Church
St. Paul Lutheran Church St. Paul Lutheran Church
208 West Main Street, . . 563-562-3033
401 South Egbert Street . . 563-539-2230 116 East Military Road . . . . . . . . . .
St. Aloysius Catholic Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563-864-7643
304 South Maryville Street, . . . . . . . .
Synagogue: Achdus Yisroel
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 563-562-3603
1001 Aspen Avenue
Trinity Lutheran Church
306 West Clark Street, . . 563-562-3202
Calmar is a city in Winneshiek County with a popula- sengers, these trains handled express shipments for all the
tion was 978 as of the 2010 census. It is at the junction of stops along the line. There was also a direct line running
U.S. Highway 52 and State Highways 150 and 24, both of northwest to Austin, Minn.
which terminate in Calmar. Calmar was platted in 1854. It The station in Calmar was staffed 24 hours a day, every
was named after Kalmar, a city in Sweden. day of the year. There was a station agent, clerks and four
The settlement experienced growth in 1868 when the operators to handle the station duties. The operators re-
railroad was built through it. Calmar was incorporated on ceived train orders for each passing train and for the trains
July 14, 1869. originating in Calmar.
Norwegians Thore P. Skotland and his family came Fortune smiled on Calmar, in 1868, when it became
to the area in the spring of 1850. Perhaps his heart was the eastern terminus and junction with the main line for
warmed by terrain that reminded him of the rugged beauty the I & D branch of the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad,
of Norway. Whatever his reason, he put his roots down in which was built as far as New Hampton. This added value
a piece of land two miles north of the town to be know to Calmar’s, location, and in 1869, the train terminal was
later as Calmar, on a tract of land called the Rhuben Boe transferred from Conover, Iowa to Calmar. Decorah was
Farm. His descendants still occupy on part of this land. A happy and held a sizeable celebration at Luther College,
German settler in the southern part of the township had which was now a few years old and going strong. The
preceded Skotland, but nothing is known of him. stagecoach was no longer needed and the county seat had
Skotland and his family, Calmar’s first recorded settlers, access to railroad facilities.
were soon joined by others. In 1851, seven other settlers
arrived. In the period of the 1870’s through the 1890’s,
Calmar showed a population gain from 700 to almost
1,100 people.
While the City of Calmar, continued to grow and flour- “Population ~ 917”
ish, Thore P. Skotland took on many new endeavors. One
2019 Estimate - US Census
of those would be to become one of the three incorpora-
tors of Luther College in Decorah. He was also a member
of its first Board of Trustees and a member of its first build-
ing committee. In 1874, he sold out and moved to Otter
Tail County, Minn., where he died in 1903 at the age of 81. The facilities in Calmar included a well-equipped freight
Swedish-born Alfred Clark and his pals referred to the depot and a passenger depot with a hotel. Passengers
area as “Marysville” after a mining town they had admired could get meals and lodging as well as train tickets at the
in California. When it was found that another Marysville hotel. Plans for a 10-stall roundhouse were completed in
already existed in Iowa, another named had to be found 1911. Once this was built, large engines could be switched
for the town. Half a mile east was an area commonly re- to fall another direction by use of the turntable. There were
ferred to as “Whiskey Grove,” where the flower brothers, also pits within the roundhouse that allowed workers to
two Canadian traders, did business with Indians, soldiers do repairs under the engines. East of the roundhouse, a tall
and all others seeking “fire water.” This was an area where coal chute provided fuel for the steam engine fires, and a
bootleggers reportedly operated and always managed to nearby water tower and pump house kept water readily
evade the law of the time. available for direct connection to the engine.
While some used this name to refer to the Calmar area Calmar is home to one of two campuses of Northeast
at the time, it was actually never the name applied to the Iowa Community College. South Winneshiek High School
town location. There was debate between Englishmen and is in Calmar. Its elementary and middle schools are in
Norwegians on what name to choose, and they decided Ossian.
to let Landin and Clark decide, as they were Swedish and Lake Meyer Park and Campground is located northeast
would not take either party’s side. Their decision was to of Calmar off Highway 24. The lake covers 38 acres and
name the town Calmar, after Kalmar Sound on the south- offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and canoeing
east coast of Sweden. This had been Alfred Clark’s original or kayaking. A network of trails offers hiking, and picnic
hometown. shelters and a playground make it the perfect spot for fam-
Calmar, at one time, was a major railroad hub of the ily gatherings and events. The campground does not ac-
Milwaukee Road between Marquette and Mason City. cept reservations. It is generally open from April through
Passenger trains ran on this line up until sometime in the October, depending on weather. Lake Meyer Park is open
1960’s. These passenger trains ran between Madison, Wis. year round, though road access to the Nature Center is not
and into South Dakota. At Madison, there were connec- always maintained in the winter. Road access to the lake
tions with other passenger trains, including those going for ice fishing is maintained throughout the winter.
into Milwaukee and Chicago. In addition to hauling pas-
NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 2021 3
The name Monona is of American Indian origin. The with its wooded hills and prairies and farm fields, the City
community was organized in 1916. At that time Monona of Monona sits on one of highest locations in Clayton
contained a public house, two stores and several mechanic County at more than 1,200 feet in elevation. It sites atop
shots. As of the 2010 census, there were 1,549 residents, four main watersheds for the Turkey River, Bloody Run, and
675 households and 440 families living in the city. Yellow River.
Year-round recreational and sporting activities include
camping, canoeing and kayaking; fishing and ice fishing;
hunting; snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country
“Population ~ 1,471” skiing; hiking; biking or motorcycling; and, much more.
The city, donors, and volunteers built the area’s first
2019 Estimate - US Census all-inclusive handicapped-accessible children’s playground
at City Park. It is the only park of its kind in the area. This
park provides stimulating, educational, entertaining and
playful opportunities for tri-state children of all ages and
Monona is located in the geological area known as the abilities, some of whom may be discovering for their very
“Driftless Area”, sitting atop the Paleozoic Plateau. first time the ability to play alongside all other children in a
The city is surrounded by abundant natural resources state-of-the-art, safe and secure playground setting.
such as Pikes Peak, the Effigy Mounds and the Yellow River The MFL MarMac Community School District provides
Forest, all nearby just a short drive away. Monona has been outstanding K-12 education for about 800 students in two
recognized as Iowa’s first “Garden City of Iowa” since locations. Jointly, the cities of Monona and McGregor and
1931 and the “Gateway to the Yellow River Forest.” Along school district provide excellent day care facilities in both
Monona and McGregor. Head Start offers programs for
Explore MONONA
preschool children in Monona.
The city features four beautiful parks with butterfly and
flower gardens; woodland and prairie trails; all-inclusive
children’s playground; picnic tables, shelters, charcoal
Iowa
IN THE HEART OF NORTHEAST
grills; old-fashioned city park band shelter; a basketball
court transformed into a community ice skating rink.
IOWA’S “DRIFTLESS AREA” Gateway Park features both campsites and a combined
restroom and shelter facility that were renovated in 2019.
Relaxing • Exhilarating • Experiences The park will be home to the area’s newest playground
this spring. The park is connected to the Monona Family
G MN Aquatic Center and Butterfly Garden via the Butterfly Trail
SPRIN ER AUTU ER
SUMM WINT that was built in 2018 with state grant money.
Monona is also home to the largest-known display of
hand-carved wooden chains, plus interesting, local, his-
toric artifacts at Monona Historical Museum.
The all-volunteer Monona Fire Department and M-F-L
Ambulance Service are equipped with modern equipment.
The ambulance service purchased its newest rig in 2019
Monona, Iowa is your dream getaway in the Driftless Area region
and the Volunteer Fire Department will place a new rescue
• All-season Outdoor Recreational Fun! truck into service in 2020. Law enforcement is performed
• Aquatic Center
FOR MORE INFORMATION: by three full-time police officers of the Monona Police
• All-inclusive Playgrounds & Parks
• Butterfly Gardens & Trail Call (563) 539-8340 Department who are responsible for Monona’s consistent-
• Dining, Shopping & Services Email mononachamber@neitel.net ly-low crime rate.
• Fitness Center Visit mononachamber.com Notable people who call Monona their hometown
• Full-service Campgrounds
• Guesthouses & Cabins
@mononaiowa
are Leighton Abel, Iowa State politician and businessman;
• Guided Boat Cave Tours photographer Alexander Gardner and retired National
• Historical Museums & Memorials
• Nearby...Yellow River, Mississippi River, Yellow Basketball Association star Raef LaFrenz.
erity
River Forest, Spook Cave, Pikes Peak State Park Mappi rosp
ng Our and P
Way for Growth
& Effigy Mounds National Monument
4 NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 2021
Known as the “Hometown to the World,” Postville located at 119 East Green Street, it was added to National
contains a diverse ethnic population that includes Register of Historic Places in 2000.
people of Jewish, Hispanic, Russian, Ukrainian, Filipino Clinton F. Meyer Park, Murdock Street, Postville. Located
and Norwegian heritage. The diversity in Postville is on the northwest side of Postville on Murdock Street.
reflected in the local authentic restaurants, businesses and Playground equipment, a basketball court, shelter and
neighborhoods. portable rest rooms are available. (Free Admission)
Postville was platted in 1853 and was named for Joel Robert’s Park is located adjacent to the business district
Post, a pioneer settler in Postville, the area is lighted by decorative globe lights
In 1987, a group of Hasidic Jews started a Kosher and contains picnic tables and benches for relaxation.
slaughterhouse called Agriprocessors. After numerous (Free Admission)
accusations of mistreatment of cattle, pollution, and Lull’s Park, east side of Postville. The park contains
violations of labor law, the facility was raided by the playground equipment, shelters with electricity, grills and
federal government in May 2008, resulting in hundreds of tables, rest rooms, swimming pool and ice-skating rink.
arrests of undocumented workers. Agriprocessors filed for An extension of Lull’s Park has been improved to include
bankruptcy on November 5, 2008; the plant was bought a nature/walking trail. Handicap accessibility. (Free
at auction in July 2009 by SHF Industries and has resumed Admission)
production under the new name Agri Star.
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,227 people, 744
households, and 497 families residing in the city.
In 2017 about one quarter of Postville’s population was
made up of recent immigrants from Latin America and “Population ~ 2,053”
Somalia. 2019 Estimate - US Census
Orthodox Jews established Agriprocessors in 1987.
The founders of the plant came from New York City. At its
peak, there were about 100 Orthodox Jewish families in
Postville. After the 2008 raid the number declined, and
in 2017 there were about 50 Orthodox Jewish families.
Postville has services for Jewish families typically seen in
larger communities. Postville also has a Jewish elementary
school and a yeshiva. A Judaic Welcome Center and library
opened in 2019.
As of 2017, 700 people, more than 30 percent of the
total population, work at Agri Star; about one hundred are
of Somali origins.
Postville is also the home of a composites factory,
Norplex-Micarta, started in 1975. The Norplex factory
produces laminated plastics plate, sheet, and profile
shapes. As of 2007 it employed between 150 and 200
workers.
The Postville Community School District operates public
schools for children grades K-12 in Postville, Castalia and
Frankville.
Mesivta of Postville is the area yeshiva for area Jewish
children.
Visitors to Postville may tour the John R. Mott House,
a two-story Victorian style house which was the home of
the 1946 Nobel Peace Prize winner, John R. Mott and the
other historic places in Postville.
Children and adults alike may enjoy visiting the
Northeast Iowa Wellness and Recreation Center for a
pick-up game of basketball, swimming at the city pool and
picnicking at the local parks in town. 313 W Post St., Postville, IA
Turner Hall was constructed in 1913 and shows the
predominance of the German-American settlement; (563) 864-9622
www.neiawrc.org
NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 2021 5
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum one of
the most prominent landmarks in Northeast Iowa
By Sharon Drahn
news@postvilleherald.com
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum is located
on West Water Street in Decorah, Iowa the county seat of
Winneshiek County. Vesterheim, the national Norwegian-
American museum and heritage center, has over 33,000
artifacts, 12 historic buildings, a Folk Art School, a
library and archives. The museum showcases the most
extensive collection of Norwegian-American artifacts in
the world. The museum’s exhibitions explore the diversity
of American immigration through the eyes of Norwegian-
American experiences and highlights the best in historic
and contemporary Norwegian folk and fine arts.
The museum, founded in 1877 as the Norwegian-
American Historic Museum, was originally part of Luther
College. In 1967, the Norwegian-American Museum
incorporated, as it was separated from Luther. The name
Vesterheim was adopted in 1977, the same year the
museum moved to downtown Deborah, into a building
vacated by a publishing company.
The name Vesterheim translates to ‘western home’
in Norwegian. Vesterheim now offers educational
events, publications and lectures related to its mission.
Vesterheims’ Folk Art School offers classes in painting,
woodworking, knife making, fiber arts, Nordic cooking and
more in the Norwegian tradition. Each year it presents “The
National Norwegian Folk Art Exhibition” in traditional folk located behind the museum’s main building. Painter-
arts including knitting, rosemaling, weaving, woodcarving, Bernatz Mill is located in Heritage Park. The Old Stone Mill
knife making and metalworking. was built by William Painter, one of Winneshiek County’s
The Heritage Park is a collection of historic buildings earliest European settlers, in 1851. It is also believed to be
the oldest building in Decorah.
The Norris Miller House is also in Heritage Park. Norris
Family Dentistry
Miller, a carpenter from Ohio, built the house in 1856; it
was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in
1976.
The Haugan House was built by Hans and Anna
Haugan on a farm southeast of Decorah during the 1860’s.
The house is a representative example of the Husmann
dwelling used in Norway during the 19th century.
Husmann is the name for the Norwegian tenant farmer.The
house used by Husmann tenant farmers was often a simple
log cabin or cottage made of rough hewn lumber.
The Valdres House represents a typical Norwegian
landowner’s home. The Valdres House was built circa 1795
on a farm in Oppland, Norway. The house was enlarged
and a covered entry added in the 1860’s. Vesterheim
acquired the house through the efforts of the resembler,
Services Include: Sigmund Aarseth and of Kolbein Dahle, director of the
CEREC – One Appointment Crowns | Bridges Valdres Folk Museum in Valdres, Norway. The house
was taken down and shipped to Vesterheim in 1975-76.
Teeth Whitening Options | Routine Check-ups The house was reassembled by Norwegian carpenters
Denture & Denture Repairs | Extractions commissioned by the Valdres Folk Museum.
Cosmetic Dentistry | Advanced Hygiene Care The Egge-Koren House was built in 1852 by Erik Egge
on his farm five miles southeast of Decorah. In July 1853,
Invisalign | Fillings | Other Services Available! he married Helen Pedersdatter, a widow with two small
Hours: children. From December 1853 to March 1854, the
Mon-Thur: 8am-5pm | Fri: 8am-2pm newlyweds, Rev. U. Vilhelm Koren and his wife Elisabeth,
lived with the Egges. Ulrik Vilhelm Koren was a pioneer
Sat: Appointments Available Lutheran minister, who played a significant role in the
development of the spiritual and intellectual development
of Norwegians in America. Elisabeth Koren was an author
of The Diary of Elisabeth Koren, 1853-1855 which provides
detailed insight into what it was like for four adults and
two children to spend the winter in a one-room 14-by-16-
foot log house.
6 NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 2021
Fort Atkinson Continues
Bearing Silent Witness
By Michael Hohenbrink
news@calmarcourier.com
With the morning sun shining on a clear December day
ahead of impending snowfall, Fort Atkinson is impressive.
Of course, that is true any time of the year.
Commanding a view of the community bearing the same
name, the fort’s location was well chosen, a premium vantage
point to oversee the area.
Now a state preserve, Fort Atkinson’s history is worth the
time to explore. The fort was built to protect Winnebago (Ho-
Chunk) Indians from other tribes.
In service from 1840 to 1848, the fort was serviced by men ▲ The dates Fort Atkinson was in service, 1840 to
and supplies moving along the “Military Trail,” to this day a 1849, can be seen above the main gate. Photo by
name that lives on in the area. Michael Hohenbrink
Native limestone was quarried to build the fort, a material People know the site and come to visit.
readily available at hand. Even the big festival of Rendezvous Days is not about mak-
Ron Franzen, a volunteer with preservation efforts, pointed ing a dime but rather seeks to educate visitors, said Franzen.
to an area just outside the fort, once a former quarry and now Keeping Fort Atkinson around and open to the public is the
partially filled in. goal.
That limestone was to be used for a variety of building pur- Should it fall apart like so many historic locations have
poses throughout the area, from homes to churches. done, that would be the end of it.
A tiny Congregational church, right next to the steps lead- “Once they’re lost, they’re gone,” said Franzen.
ing visitors up to the fort, and the larger St. John Nepomucene Coming up, volunteers will be spearheading a return of
Catholic Church, a few blocks away, both bear testament to Rendezvous Days for its 2021 iteration.
the material’s use. Information will be forthcoming as volunteers figure out de-
Still, Franzen pointed to some cracks visible in a couple of tails of the event that annually draws re-enactors, vendors and
buildings as the limestone shows some of its age, an area that eager visitors to the site.
is a focal point for some renovations volunteers hope to see
coming up.
Fort Atkinson is in the process of a three-year grant effort,
with a goal of assessing site needs and then proceeding to
stabilization work.
The effort took a pause during 2020 with COVID-19, in-
cluding the first cancellation of the site’s annual celebration,
Rendezvous Days, in roughly half of a century.
“We [were] there in spirit,” said Franzen.
Raising and lowering the flag, even if by himself, was an act
of keeping the faith for the beloved community treasure.
Indeed, Fort Atkinson is a neat site, an example of there be-
ing “a lot of history locally,” said Franzen.
What Franzen does not want to see is Fort Atkinson reduced
to “a pile of limestone rocks,” a fate volunteers aim to prevent.
Sites such as Fort Atkinson offer much, from the big festival
of Rendezvous Days down to smaller visits.
HELPING BUILD A BETTER FUTURE -
With the pandemic, there has been a spike in small groups A BETTER WAY OF LIFE -
of visitors, families perhaps, taking advantage of having such a
venue right at hand that they can explore. FOR ALL US US.
Boy Scouts visit Fort Atkinson. Wedding photos use the site We are proud to be part of Iowa’s growth
as a backdrop.
by supplying Cat equipment. CLAAS and
AGCO equipment, and parts and service to
industries throughout the area.
Ziegler - Since 1914, and the commitment
stands strong.
Postville
308 N. Lawler St.
▲ Historic Fort Atkinson stands on high ground
overlooking the modern community of the same 563-864-7461 www.zieglercat.com
name. Photo by Michael Hohenbrink
NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 2021 7
School Districts "AUTO SERVICE
Allamakee YOU CAN TRUST IN
Commonly referred to as Waukon
County — Allamakee NORTHEAST IOWA"
Primary communities served — Waukon, Harpers Ferry,
Waterville
Enrollment* — 1,071 SERVICES
Superintendent — Jay Mathis
Phone # — 563-568-3466
Central, Elkader
OUR SPECIALTIES OTHER SERVICES
Exhaust Aftermarket Installation
County — Clayton Brakes Air Bags
Primary communities served — Elkader, Elkport, Garber,
Saint Olaf, Volga City Suspension Interior/Exterior Electrical
Enrollment* — 425 Steering Tralier Wiring/Accessories
Superintendent — Nicholas Trenkamp Climates Transmissions
Phone # — 563-245-1750 Alignments Engines
Clayton Ridge Transmission Auto Flushes Oil Changes
County — Clayton Wheel Bearings
Primary communities served — Garnavillo, Guttenberg, BRANDS & Much More...
Clayton, Osterdock, North Buena Vista ACDelco
Enrollment* — 595 Interstate Batteries OPEN
Superintendent — Shane Wahls Napa Auto Parts MON.–FRI. 7AM–5PM
Phone # — 563-252-2341 SAT. 7AM–12PM
Decorah
County — Winneshiek SUN. CLOSED
Primary communities served — Decorah
Enrollment* — 1,548
Superintendent — Mark Lane
Phone # — 563-382-3643
Eastern Allamakee
Commonly referred to as Kee
563.539.4760
County — Allamakee
Primary communities served — Lansing, New Albin 400 FRANKLIN ST. MONONA IA
Enrollment* — 322
Superintendent — Dr. Dale Crozier
Phone # — 563-538-4201
Waukon Dental
Edgewood-Colesburg
County — Clayton
Primary communities served — Colesburg, Edgewood
Enrollment* — 401
Superintendent — Rob Busch
Phone # — 563-926-6412
MFL MarMac
County — Clayton
Primary communities served — Marquette, McGregor,
Monona, Farmersburg, Luana
Enrollment* — 794
Superintendent — Dr. Dale Crozier
Phone # — 563-539-2031
Postville
County — Allamakee
Primary communities served — Postville, Castalia
Enrollment* — 728
Superintendent — Tim Dugger
Phone # — 563-864-7651
South Winneshiek Services Include:
County — Winneshiek CEREC – One Appointment Crowns | Bridges
Primary communities served — Calmar, Ossian,
Spillville, Festina Teeth Whitening Options | Routine Check-ups
Enrollment* — 507 Denture & Denture Repairs | Extractions
Superintendent — Kris Einck Cosmetic Dentistry | Advanced Hygiene Care
Phone # — 563-562-3269
Turkey Valley Invisalign | Fillings | Other Services Available!
County — Winneshiek
Primary communities served — Fort Atkinson, Jackson Hours:
Junction, Lawler, Protivin, Saint Lucas, Waucoma Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm | Sat: Appointments Available
Enrollment* — 348
Superintendent — Jay Jurrens
Phone # — 563-776-6011
* — 2020-21 certified enrollment, rounded to nearest whole
number. Source: Iowa Department of Education.
Upper Mississippi River
National Wildlife Refuge
The Upper Mississippi Fishing
River National Wildlife Some of the world’s best
Refuge presents a unique fishing can be found in the
feature for the region. Upper Mississippi River
Running 261 river miles National Wildlife Refuge.
from Wabasha, Minn. to Whether you are fishing for
Princeton, Iowa, the refuge walleye, bass, crappie, cat-
draws visitors from through- fish, bluegill, northern pike
out the United States to see or anything in between,
its unique wildlife and ter- Refuge areas located along
rain. Allamakee and Clayton
Within the Refuge is County likely have it.
the Driftless Area National Though many people
Wildlife Refuge, which prefer fishing from boats, ▲ Lansing’s Black Hawk Bridge can be seen in the
parts of an eight-county there are plentiful oppor- background in this photo of the Mississippi River
area of Iowa, Wisconsin tunities to catch fish from taken from the Driftless Area Visitor Center Photo by
and Illinois, including shore. John Jensen
Allamakee and Clayton Walleye and sauger are
Counties. Five of the nine two of the most sought after thick to support a snowmo- of the best times to see
units of the Driftless Area recreational fish on the riv- bile or ATV. It also advises songbird migration. Stop
NWR are located in Clayton er. There are good numbers to always ice fish with a at a boat landing or river
County. of walleye ranging from 15 friend. walk and use either spotting
Canoeing and Kayaking to 27 inches and sauger of A great resource for scopes (available at many
Paddling along the 12 to 18 inches are plenti- fishermen is the Iowa locations along the Great
backwaters is an outstand- ful. Bluegill populations are Department of Natural River Road) or your own
ing way to enjoy the Upper also healthy and provide Resources’ weekly fishing binoculars.
Mississippi River National some of the most consis- report that can be found at Fall is a popular time for
Wildlife Refuge. Bring your tent enjoyment due to their https://www.iowadnr.gov/ visitors to come not only for
fishing pole (and Iowa or numbers. Catfish are also fishing/fishing-reports the wildlife, but also to see
Wisconsin fishing license) plentiful in to area, as are Hunting spectacular fall colors that
or a pair of binoculars and largemouth and smallmouth Established in 1924, grace the steep cliffs of both
enjoy both the wildlife and bass. Northern pike are also the 240,000-acre refuge Allamakee and Clayton
beauty. plentiful in this part of the provides for the needs of Counties. Migrating tun-
The Johnson Slough Mississippi River, with fish fish, wildlife and millions of dra swans stop in the area
Canoe Trail is located in ranging up to 40 inches annual visitors. The Upper in late October and early
Pool 10 with access just common. Mississippi River is open to November and stay until
south of McGregor. Follow Ice fishing is also popu- hunting. Most hunting op- the river begins to freeze.
Highway X56 south to the lar along backwaters of the portunities are in wetlands, During peak fall migration
Sny Magill Unit of Effigy Mississippi River during on islands and in floodplain in late October, hundreds of
Mounds National Park colder months. Be sure to forest accessible mainly by thousands of canvasbacks,
and Sny Magill River ac- check ice conditions fre- boat. common mergansers, gold-
cess. This 6.1-mile trail is quently to ensure safety. The More than 75 percent eneyes, mallards, shovelers,
of moderate difficulty with Iowa Department of Natural of the world’s canvasback blue-winged teal, and coots
paddling against the current Resources recommends that ducks use the Refuge for gather on the refuge.
about half the way. you ice fish only when new, migration, while bluebills, Bald eagles are also
bufflehead, gadwall, gold- common in the area.
IN EMERGENCIES... SECONDS COUNT!
Other trails are located
on the Wisconsin side of
clear ice is at least four
inches thick and that ice eneyes, mallards redheads According to the National
IN EMERGENCIES... SECONDS COUNT!
Go to yourRiver.
the Mississippi closest hospitalmust
for Emergency Care.inches
be at least five
Don’t risk further illness or injury by delaying immediate treatment,
and widgeon, and golden-
eyes are also common in
Fish and Wildlife Service,
there are more than 250 ac-
Go to your closest
especially in the hospital forattack
case of a heart Emergency
or stroke. Care. the refuge. tive bald eagle nests within
24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICES
Don’t risk further illness or injury by delaying immediate treatment,
especially in the case of a heart attack or stroke. Wildlife Viewing the refuge. In addition to
The area is popular the nesting eagles, many
24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICES among bird watchers, par- migrating eagles are seen
ticularly during the spring on the refuge. The best area
and fall migration seasons spot to see eagles is at or
when thousands of birds near Lock and Dam No. 10
make their way to and from in Guttenberg, though they
their wintering grounds. are frequently seen any-
April and May are some where along the refuge.
Urgent Care Available Daily • 563-568-3411
Veterans Memorial Hospital
Veterans Memorial Hospital
WAUKON, IOWA • (563) 568-3411
“Exceptional Care by Exceptional People... Right Here at Home”
WAUKON, IOWA • (563) 568-3411
“Exceptional Care by Exceptional People... Right Here at Home”
NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 2021 9Allamakee County radio stations, a weekly newspaper, a municipal airport
and churches of many denominations.
The Allamakee Community School District serves chil-
Allamakee County is the northeastern-most county in dren in grades PK-12. St. Patrick’s Catholic School also pro-
the state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population vides a parochial education for students in grades PK-6.
was 14,330.The county seat is Waukon. Postville, a community of approximately 2,100, is lo-
History cated in Allamakee and Clayton Counties. It lies near the
Allamakee County was formed on February 20, 1847. junction of four counties and at the intersection of U. S.
The derivation of the name is debated, some believing it Routes 18 and 52 and Iowa Highway 51. The population
was the name of an Indian chief, others think it was named of Postville was predominantly German and Norwegian
for Allen Magee, an early historic trader.The first Allamakee for much of its existence; however, in recent years, follow-
County Courthouse in Waukon, built in 1861, now ing the purchase of the meat packing plant by a group of
serves as the Allamakee County Historical Museum. The Hasidic Jews of the Lubavitch movement from New York,
present Allamakee County Court House was built in 1940. the community has become a melting pot for people from
Both courthouse buildings are listed on the National all over the world including, but not limited to Eastern
Register of Historic Places. Europe, Israel, Somalia, Guatemala and Mexico.
Geography The Postville Community School District serves children
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a who live in Postville, Castalia, Frankville and the outly-
total area of 659 square miles of which 639 square miles ing areas in grades PK-12. The Jewish Community is also
(1,660 km2) is land and 20 square miles is water. served by both a girls’ and boys’ Yeshiva.
In the northern part of the county is the Upper Iowa Lansing is a city Lansing Township with a population of
River. In the southern part is the Yellow River. The eastern approximately 1,000. The Mississippi river town not only
boundary is the Mississippi River. All offer scenic and rec- retains all of its historic charm and elegance, but also offers
reational opportunities, particularly in Yellow River State a resort-like setting for visitors. Located on the Mississippi
Forest. River Lansing has been designated a National Historic
French Creek flows north of Waukon, outside the city District by the National Register of Historic Places.
limits. Paint Creek, named after Paint Rock Bluff, flows out The Eastern Allamakee School District serves youth
of the south of Waukon. Norfolk creek originates in the from Lansing in grades PK-12.
western outskirts of Waukon and is effluent to the Yellow New Albin is a city in Iowa Township in Allamakee
River. Clear Creek flows into Lansing. Village Creek flows County. It is the farthest northeast town in Iowa and is
through essentially rural terrain. All are tributary to located on the Mississippi River and the Minnesota border.
the Mississippi River. New Albin has a population of approximately 640.
Tourism New Albin Elementary School serves students in grades
Yellow River State Forest is mostly forested land owned PK-6 while students in grades 7-12 attend the Eastern
by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. It is located Allamakee School District in Lansing.
in the southeastern corner of Allamakee County, the most
northeasterly of Iowa’s counties. It is a forested area with
Local Banking for
creeks for fishing, a campground and hiking, horseback
riding and snowmobile trails.
Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves more than
200 prehistoric mounds built by Native Americans.
Numerous effigy mounds are shaped like animals, includ-
ing bears and birds. These were built mostly in the first
millennium, by peoples of the Woodland Culture. The site
has 14 miles of trails plus exhibits and ranger-led talks.The
the Community
park is located at 151 IA-76, Harpers Ferry.
Mount Hosmer is a bluff overlooking Lansing, Iowa. It
is located directly adjacent to the Upper Mississippi River
and offers a panoramic view of the river, including the
We all call Home
Black Hawk Bridge. Mount Hosmer rises 450 feet above
downtown Lansing. Serving and supporting our
The Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center is
located at 1944 Columbus Road in Lansing. The cultural, communities in beautiful Northeast Iowa
recreational, natural, and historical significance of the
Driftless Area is the primary focus of the interpretive ex-
hibits at the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center.
Featuring three levels and 10,000 sq. ft., the building is
nestled beneath limestone bluffs with scenic river views.
The Center is open seven days a week.
Communities in Allamakee County
Waukon, a community of approximately 4,000, is the
county seat of Allamakee County. The community is home
to one golf course, a 46-acre city park with wooden play-
ground, hiking and biking trails, aquatic center and well-
ness center. Waukon has three full service banks, two local
www.freedombnk.com
Member FDIC
10 NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 20211 Agri Star
2 Ziegler CAT 7
3 Dollar General
4 Electric Motor Shop, Inc 2
5
Northeast Iowa Resource 1
5 10
Conservation & Development 6
6 Chhotu Tent House 51
W Tilden St.
9
7 Norplex-Micarta
11 E Military Rd
8 Postville Veterinary Clinic
Hardin Rd
9 Casey’s 3
10 Brick Oven Pizza & Eatery
11 St. Paul Lutheran Church
W62
12 Pines 12
18/52
Postville
4
8
*Please note that not every location is listed on this map.*
Bee
New Albin
76
26
De Soto
Allamakee
76
Lansing
County
9
76
Washington Waukon
Praire Elon
9
Lynxville
76
Ludlow
Waterville
Harpers Ferry
Rossville Yellow River
State Forest
76
Waukon
Junction
Volney
Effigy
Mounds
Postville National
Monument
NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 2021 11Winneshiek County Winneshiek County Fair
Winneshiek County is located in Northeast Iowa. As of
the 2010 census, the population was 21,056. The county July 13-17, 2021
seat is Decorah which is also the largest city in the county.
The county was founded in 1848.
History
A largely rural and agricultural county, Winneshiek
County has a rich cultural history from Czech, Slovak, Eng
lish, Irish, German, Swiss, and Norwegian immigrants that
have settled within its boundaries.
The county was originally settled in 1848 in
present-day Bloomfield Township (near Castalia)
and in Washington Township (near Fort Atkinson). It Tuesday:
was organized in 1847, and named after a chief of Upper Iowa Stock Car
the Winnebago tribe. Racing
In 1980, Winneshiek County reported a population of Wednesday:
21,842. Like much of Iowa during the 1980s it witnessed Rodeo
a population loss, dropping to 20,847 according to the Thursday:
1990 United States Census. However, during the 1990s NTPA Tractor Pull
the county experienced some mild growth and was able to Friday:
rise above the 21,000 mark once again. Sawyer Brown w/ Joe
Geography Stamm Band
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a
total area of 690 square miles, of which 690 square miles Saturday:
is land and 0.3 square miles is water. Major highways are Jordan Davis w/ Gabby
Iowa Highways 9, 24, 139 and 150. Adjacent counties in Barrett
Iowa are Allamakee County to the east; Fayette County to
the south; Chickasaw County to the southwest; Howard
County to the west and Clayton County to the southeast.
Tourism
Among the tourist attractions in Winneshiek County
are Calmer Trail Depot; Bily Clocks Museum and Antonin
Dvorak Exhibit, Spillville; Iowa’s Dairy Center, Calmar;
Fort Atkinson State Preserve; Decorah Eagles; Trout Run
Trail, Decorah; Decorah Parks and Recreation; Siewers
Springs State Park; Ten Mile Creek Bridge, Decorah;
Decorah’s Historic Architecture Tour Freedom Rock,
Calmar; Vesterheim The National Norwegian Museum;
Dunning’s Spring Park, Decorah; Barnhart-Van Peenan
A FAMILY ATTRACTION!
Park, Decorah; Cold Water Spring State Preservative, OPEN
Decorah; Seed Savers Exchange, Decorah; St. Wenceslaus 9 AM–5:30 PM
Church, Spillville; Steyer Opera House, Decorah; Ice Cave LAST TOUR OF THE DAY: 5 PM
Hill Park, Decorah; Winneshiek Wildberry Winery; Locust
School; Museum, Decorah; Phelps Park, Decorah; Upper EVERYDAY
Iowa River Access, Decorah; Twin Springs Park, Decorah MAY – OCTOBER
and Porter House Museum, Decorah
Communities in Winneshiek County
The county seat of Winneshiek County is Decorah,
which has a population of 8, 127. Other communities
in Winneshiek County are Calmar, Ossian, Spillville,
Fort Atkinson, Ridgeway, Castalia, Burr Oak and Jackson
Junction.
CAVE TOUR CAMPING CABINS
CONTACT EMAIL: spookcave@spookcave.com
13299 SPOOK CAVE RD., MCGREGOR, IA
PH. 563-539-4114
▲ Winneshiek County Freedom Rock
12 NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 20216 1
2 1 Dollar General
2 Drillings All Season Sports
52
3 Feld Vom Traumen Rottweilers
4 Main Streeet Redemtion Center
10
5 John Deere Tech
3
11
6 PIVO Brewery and
9 Blepta Studios
4
7 Main 7 Whiskey Grove
St
8 St Aloysius Catholic Church
12 52
t
8
sS
9 Calmar Lutheran Church
e
arl
Ch
10 Lavender Fields Inn
15
11 Calmar Freedom Rock
12 South Winneshiek High School
13 Northeast Iowa
24 13
Community College
14
14 Wilder Business Center
15 Rezults Driven Fitness
Calmar
5
150
*Please note that not every location is listed on this map.*
52
Hesper
Burr Oak
Kendallville
52
Bluffton
9
52 Winneshiek
Ridgeway
9
Decorah
9
Freeport
Washington
County
52 Prairie
9
Protivin
Spillville 52
Frankville
Calmar
52
24 Moneek
Fort Atkinson Ossian
150 52
24
Jackson Festina Castalia
52
Junction
NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 2021 13Clayton County gion that completely missed being ice-covered in the last
ice age. Streams have deeply carved valleys, while the
Mississippi River has spectacular bluffs.
Clayton County is a county located in the state of Iowa’s Tourism
Northeast quadrant. As of the 2010 census, the population Among the tourist attractions in Clayton County are:
was 18,129. Its county seat is Elkader and the largest city is Pikes Peak State Park, Nature and recreation site with
Guttenberg. The county was named for its founder John M. camping; Casino Queen Marquette, Riverboat Casino
Clayton. with more than 500 slot machines; Upper Mississippi
History River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, a refuge for
Clayton County was established on December 21, 1837 hunting, fishing and canoeing; Wyalusing Hardwood
when it split from Dubuque County. It was named in honor Forest, scenic recreational park with camping; Backbone
of John Middleton Clayton. Clayton was a lawyer, politi- State Park, Nature reserve with diverse activities; Bixby
cian, and U.S. Senator from Delaware. He later served State Preserve, nature reserve, outdoor recreation and
as Secretary of State under President Zachary Taylor. The nature; Effigy Mounds National Monument, scenic ar-
first courthouse was built in Prairie La Porte in 1840, now chaeological and hiking site; Turkey River Mounds State
known as Guttenburg. The second courthouse was built Preserve, park; Driftless Area Wetlands Center, Visitor
in 1844 in Jacksonville, later renamed to Garnavillo. This Center; Nelson Dewey State Park, park and camping;
building was sold in 1866 to help fund a courthouse to be Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge, US fish and
built in the new county seat of Elkader. The Clayton County wildlife department services, park and wildlife; World’
Courthouse, located in Elkader was built in 1878. It was Largest Strawberry, Strawberry Point; Joy Spring County
listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 Park, camping; Motor Mill Historic Site; Bloody Run
as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa. County Park; McGregor Historical Museum; Froelich
Geography Museum; Wilder Memorial Museum; The Edgewood
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a Museum; Bloody Run Wildlife Management Area;
total area of 793 square miles of which 779 square miles Wyalusing State Park; Backbone State Park.
is land and 14 square miles (1.8 percent) is water. It is the Communities in Clayton County
fifth-largest county in Iowa by area. Adjacent counties are The communities in Clayton County include por-
Allamakee to the north, Buchanan to the southwest, Fayette tions of Postville, with the majority of Postville being in
to the west and Winneshiek to the northwest. Allamakee County; Guttenberg, the largest city in the
National protected areas are the Driftless Area National county and Elkader, the county seat. Other communities
Wildlife Refuge, Effigy Mounds National Monument and are Monona, Strawberry Point, McGregor, Marquette,
the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Farmersburg, Luana, Volga, North Buena Vista, St. Olaf,
Refuge. Clayton County is part of the Driftless Area, a re- Garber, Osterdock, Clayton, Elkport and Millville.
Wednesday, August 4 Friday, August 6 Saturday, August 7
Horse Show Dairy Goat Show Poultry Show Demolition Derby
Flag Raising Ceremony Rabbit Show Sheep Show Breeding Beef Show
Fair Royalty Coronation Dairy Show Bucket Bottle Calves Meat Goat Show
4-H Style Show Market Beef Show Other Animals Mutton Busting
Share The Fun Show 8:00p.m. Chase Bryant Kiddie Tractor Pull 7:00p.m. Bull Bash
Thursday, August 5
Swine Show
Dog Show
7:30p.m. Mark Wills Sunday, August 8
11:00a.m. Truck & Tractor Pull
Noon: Kiddie Calf Shows
2:00p.m. Little Piglet Show
Youth Ag Olympics
CLAYTON COUNTY FAIR
WITH PAID ADMISSION:
26143 Ivory Rd.
All entertainment, shows Garnavillo, Iowa 52049
& carnival rides are FREE! Phone: 563-964-2671
Email: secretary@claytoncountyfair.com
www.claytoncountyfair.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 366 Garnavillo, Iowa 52049
Schedule, times, activities, entertainment and shows are subject to change without notice
14 NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 20211
1 Bear Hollow Bison
2 Smitty’s oil & Tire
3 Fisk Farm & Home
Supply & Rental 18 17
2
4 Dollar General
5 Quillin’s
N Main St
8
6 Birdnow Chevrolet Monona
7 KWIK STAR
8 Garms Financial Services
9 12 10 Rd
dge
9 Leonard-Grau Funeral Home t Ri
asan
10 TJ’s Pizza
14 W Iowa St Ple
11 Casey’s
12 Center Stret Bar and Grill
15
13 Faith Lutheran NALC 16
14 Faith Lutheran NALC
15 St. Paul Evangelical 18/52
S Main St
Lutheran Chruch
19
16 Trinity Cluster
17 The Cottage on Main
18 Delbert Meier House 3
Frank Lloyd Wright 13
19 MFL MarMac High School 4
5
6
Monona 11
7
*Please note that not every location is listed on this map.*
-100
18 Watson
Luana
Monona
Marquette
18 McGreyor
Giard
13
Farmersburg
St Olaf
13 52
Clayton County
Clayton
56
Clayton Center
56
Garnavillo
Elkader
52
13
Volga
Guttenberg
13 Mederville
Elkport Osterdock 52
Cassville
Millville
3 Strawberry
Point North
Buena Vista
13 Wood 52
Edgewood
NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 2021 1516 NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 2021
German-American Museum Expanding
Collection, Space
By Michael Hohenbrink
news@calmarcourier.com
Some big work at the German-
American Museum in St. Lucas has
paid off, with even more work expect-
ed to come in the future.
Big repairs, heavy cleaning and open-
ing of new display area have taken
place at one of the area’s most special
attractions.
The former schoolhouse was turned
into a museum space after the school
closed in 1996.
For years, two main floors were avail-
able to house a variety of artifacts.
“Society volunteers provided over
1,475 hours of effort to completely
empty and then refresh the at-
tic space,” said Joyce Moss, vice
president of the St. Lucas Historical
▲ St. Lucas Historical Society President Clair Blong Shows off part
Society. “Dan Kuennen led the gruel- of the military collection at the German-American Museum. Photo by
ing volunteer team effort to scrub the Michael Hohenbrink
110-year-old red cedar roof beams
and hardy Douglas fir attic flooring. An ornate altar and tabernacle, once museum’s basement, once used as a
Dan has scars to prove it.” housed in a little side chapel at an chapel, has been made into a confer-
Military history, artifacts from area area parish, can now be seen. ence area, a use that has been on
churches and some unique offerings A German spinning wheel that is 160 hiatus but which volunteers want to
have been available for years for pub- years old and a German Milano con- see return.
lic viewing. certina, from the Elizabeth Boeding Down the road, the museum’s roof
Of late, some substantial additions Estate, spotlight the area’s German will be the next big project tackled by
have also been made. heritage. Items from the Elaine the historical society, said President
The museum’s textile collection has Kuennen Sloan Estate include materi- Clair Blong.
grown, with an assortment of wedding als covering three members of the That follows on the heels of major re-
gowns a highlight. family who entered Religious life. placement of the museum’s windows,
One piece, over a century old, is The military collection has been grow- a project that has been underway for a
available for viewing as are other ing as well, with materials covering a while now.
items, including a kimono taken back number of conflicts. It’s all part of an effort to make the
by a former member of the armed ser- In addition to the two main floors, the museum last for years to come.
vices from his time in Japan.
Country Garden
Floral & Gifts
Thoughtful & beautiful arrangements for every occasion & celebration
Anniversary | New Baby | Birthday Holidays | Get Well | Sympathy HOURS: TUE-SAT 9:30AM-7PM
113 W. Water St.
Decorah, IA 52101
Ph. 563-382-1148
NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 2021 17Major Attractions
Please note that many attractions still have restrictions related to COVID-19. We encourage you to make healthy choices for both
you and those around you.
Allamakee County Fair Froelich General Store & Tractor Seed Savers Exchange Heritage Farm
705 Allamakee Street, Waukon Museum 3074 North Winn Road, Decorah
July 21-25 24397 Froelich Road, McGregor Season runs March - October
www.allamakeecountyfair.org Open daily, except Tuesdays and Visitor Center open weekdays, 9 a.m. – 5
Wednesdays, May 11-Sept. 29, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Allamakee County Freedom Rock
p.m. Trails/grounds open during daylight hours
206 Henry Street, Calmar
www.froelichtractor.com www.seedsavers.org
Open Daily
www.thefreedomrock.com/iowa-fr-tour- George Maier Heritage Center Spook Cave
info/ 1000 Mascara Road, Elkader 13299 Spook Cave Road, McGregor
Open weekends, May-October Open Daily, May-October, 9 a.m.-5:30
Big Four Fair
www.silosandsmokestacks.org/attraction/ p.m.
327 North Maple Street, Postville
maier-heritage-center www.spookcave.com
June 18-20
www.facebook.com/Big-Four-Fair- Gilbertson Conservation Education Strawberry Hill Farm & Garden
Postville-IA-108542219178696 Center 12173 Amission Road, Strawberry Point
1810 Agate Road, Elgin Open year-round by reservation only
Casino Queen Marquette
Nature Center open Memorial Day to www.facebook.com/pg/Strawberry-
100 Anti Monopoly Street, Marquette
Labor Day, Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. – Hill-Farm-Garden-203987096319749/
Open 9 a.m.-2 a.m. weekdays; 9 a.m. – 4
7 p.m. about/?ref=page_internal
a.m. Friday-Saturday
Open other times by appointment only
www.casinoqueen.com/marquette Turkey River Recreation Corridor and
www.elginiowa.org/GILBERTSON.html
Cassville Car Ferry Elkader Whitewater Course
Oak Road, Guttenberg Iowa DNR Fish Hatchery Clermont, Elgin, Elkader
331 South River Park Drive, Guttenberg www.turkeyrivercorridor.com
Open Seasonally
Open Daily, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. http://www.elkaderwhitewater.com/
www.cassville.org/ferry.html
All Iowa DNR offices, including fish
Clayton County Fair Upper Mississippi National Wildlife
hatcheries, are closed to the public due to
26143 Ivory Road, National and Fish Refuge and Driftless Area
COVID-19
August 4-8 National Wildlife Refuge
https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/ Allamakee and Clayton Counties
www.claytoncountyfair.com DNR-Staff-Offices/Fish-Hatcheries www.fws.gov/refuge/Upper_Mississippi_
Clayton County Freedom Rock Iowa’s Dairy Center River
519 N. Third Street, Guttenberg 1527 Highway 150, Calmar www.fws.gov/refuge/Driftless_Area/
Open Daily Open weekdays, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
www.thefreedomrock.com/iowa-fr-tour- Vesterheim Norwegian-American
www.iowadairycenter.com
info/ Museum
Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum 520 West Water Street, Decorah
Driftless Area Education and Visitor 2603 236th Avenue, Burr Oak Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Center Season begins May 1 Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
1944 Columbus Road, Lansing Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday Noon – 4 www.vesterheim.org
Open weekdays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.- Winneshiek County Fair
www.lauraingallswilder.us Montgomery Street, Decorah
4 p.m.
www.allamakeecountyconservation.org/ Lockmaster’s House Museum July 13-17
Lock & Dam Lane, Guttenberg www.winneshiekcountyfair.org
driftless-center
Open daily except Mondays, 12-4 p.m.
Driftless Area Wetlands Centre Winneshiek County Freedom Rock
http://www.visitiowa.org/business/lock- 206 Henry Street, Calmar
509 Highway 18, Marquette masters-heritage-house-museum.html Open Daily
Open April-October, Tuesday-Saturday, 11
a.m.-4 p.m. Motor Mill Historical Site www.thefreedomrock.com/iowa-fr-tour-
23002 Galaxy Road, Elkader info/
Admission is free
Open weekends, Memorial Day Weekend
www.driftlessareawetlandcentre.com/ Winneshiek County Historical
– Second weekend in October, 12-5 p.m.
Effigy Mounds National Monument Museum-Locust School Museum
www.motormill.org 1640 Big Canoe Road, Decorah
151 Highway 76, Harpers Ferry
Grounds open daily, Sunrise - Sunset Osborne Visitor Center Open weekdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
29862 Osborne Road, Elkader www.winneshiekcountyhistoricalsociety.
Visitor Center open daily, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30
Open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday; com
p.m.
12-4 p.m. Sundays
As of April 1, the Visitor Center remains Yellow River State Forest
http://www.claytoncountyconservation.
closed due to COVID-19, though trails are 729 State Forest Road, Harpers Ferry
org/osbornepark
open Open daily
www.nps.gov/efmo/index.htm Pikes Peak State Park www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-
32264 Pikes Peak Road, McGregor Forests/Yellow-River-State-Forest
Fort Atkinson State Preserve
Open daily
303 Second Street NW, Fort Atkinson
www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-
Open year-round
Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/ParkDetails/
www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-
ParkID/610141
Parks/Iowa-State-ParksParkDetails/ParkID/4
18 NORTHEAST IOWA VISITOR’S GUIDE | 2021You can also read
