11 Morris Park - Stockport 10938 Timber Rd., Stockport 319-796-2253 In addition to camping, hiking and fishing, you can experience a piece of history in this quiet county park. The log cabin is furnished as it would have been in 1838, the 1868 schoolhouse has era-correct furnishings. The Big Barn is the highlight, with several pieces of antique farming equipment including a horse-drawn hearse, complete with a coffin. There is also a climate-controlled museum for historic textiles and other sensitive artifacts. Peavine Line Museum- Stockport 317-694-0407 The depot/museum was built in 1882 at Longview (2.5m. NW of town). In 1890, the depot was moved on two flat cars to the current location at the 4-way stop in Stockport. You will find railroad memorabilia from the C.B. & Q. Railroad, and the Peavine Line that ran from Ft. Madison to Ottumwa. The railroad began as a narrow gauge, by 1890 it had changed to a standard gauge. The rails in front of the depot date back to 1889. Open during special events or by appointment. Wickfield Farm Sales Pavilion - Cantril 17451 260th St., Cantril The 1918 4-story round barn was known as the largest Hampshire Hog farm in the world. The barn is 52’ in diameter and 65’ tall. The basement included a dining room, kitchen, electric lighting plant and a fruit cellar. The main floor was the sales pavilion, the 2nd floor had 8 dormitory rooms and the crow’s nest was a social parlor. It has been a sales pavilion, a packing plant, dormitory and was raided as a “speakeasy” during prohibition days. Today, the barn is privately owned and is awaiting its next owners. villagesofvanburen.com Historic Presbyterian Church - Bentonsport 21827 Ridge Rd., Bentonsport 319-592-3222 Dedicated in 1855, it was one of four churches that served the town. The church is available for wedding rentals and is open to the public 10a-5p daily, May - Oct. Mormon Trail The Mormon Trail is the 1,300 mile route that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints traveled from 1846 to 1868. The Mormon Trail extends from Nauvoo, IL, to Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1846, Brigham Young’s party entered Van Buren County. They camped down stream from the current bridge at Bonaparte. Some of the families settled in Bentonsport and labored doing construction (many of these buildings still stand today.) Later, the Pioneers took a route along the Dragoon Trail (approx. where Hwy. 2 is) into Keosauqua, crossing the river at Ely’s Ford in Lacey-Keosauqua State Park and on to Richardson’s Point Camp (11251 Rt. J40, Milton) where the first deaths of the journey took place. The marked graves are memorialized with free access for visitors. H I S T O R I C A L S I T E S