Villages of Van Buren
Why is it a good idea to settle and build a community near a river?
Eleven small towns near a river, with remnant structures, tell the story of early settlers in Iowa!
Transcript
[Abby Brown] Sometimes a historical site isn't just one place. Sometimes there are miles and miles of interesting things to explore. Today we're visiting the Villages of Van Buren. And the perfect place to start is at the Welcome Center and Historical Museum.
(Map marking Van Buren County in southeastern Iowa.)
The Villages of Van Buren are actually 11 small towns, grouped together to provide a mix of beautiful nature and fascinating history.
This one-lane iron bridge is in the village of Bentonsport. It was built in 1882 to help settlers traveling west get across the Des Moines River.
The river had a big influence on the development of this area back in the 1800s, when pioneers were traveling west to find a new place to call home. Some chose to settle here, since the river and forested areas nearby provided lots of natural resources to build homes and businesses.
Many of the village's buildings are remnants from the 1840s and 1850s. Because of that, visiting this area feels like stepping back in time.
There are buildings so old and meaningful that they're on the National Register of Historic Places, like Hotel Manning in Keosauqua. Its Steamboat Gothic architecture mimics the riverboats of the mid 1800s.
There are lots of other historic buildings to explore in many different parts of the villages.
The natural areas in the Villages of Van Buren County offer unique views and are fun to investigate too.
Artists are sprinkled throughout the area demonstrating their craft and showcasing how the essentials of life often took a lot of hard work back in the old days. The blacksmith in Bentonsport gives visitors a glimpse of what life was like when pioneers needed tools or household items made.
This potter demonstrates how she crafts bowls and other items. When these villages were first settled, pottery could be made from the clay found along the riverbank.
Any spot you choose to visit in the Villages of Van Buren, will provide a peek at our past. When European settlers were first discovering all the opportunities Iowa had to offer.
Every county in Iowa has preserved remnants from its past. In Van Buren County, there are 11 towns full of historic buildings and experiences to explore.
Funding for FIND Iowa has been provided by The Coons Foundation, Pella and the Gilchrist Foundation.