Old Fort Madison
New Seasonal Hours
May - September: 9-5pm, Tuesday-Sunday
April & October: 9-5pm, Saturday & Sunday only
Call 1-800-210-8687 to schedule a group tour.
Download the brochure here:
Old Fort Madison 2012 Brochure
The Lone Chimney
This replica was built in 1908 with the cannons put in place in 1909, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the original Fort Madison at a cost of $938.00. After the fort was burned in 1813, there stood only chimneys and after time only one was standing and was labeled “the lone chimney” by riverboat captains and “Potowonok” by Indians as meaning “place of fire.” In 1935 when the road was to be paved for the first time the Chimney was threatened and local protest won and the road was split to go around the chimney. In 1952 when the road was to be widened and paved again it was moved to its current site.
Sheaffer Pen Museum
Walter A. Sheaffer founded the pen company in 1908 after securing the patent for the self-filling fountain pen. He originally set up his factory on the second and third floor of the Hesse building (currently the Ivy Cafe and Bake Shop). By 1917 he was doing well enough to purchase the Morrison Plow Works plant where the famous Sheaffer pens were created. Stop in and see the unique pens and promotional pieces that made Sheaffer a world-known name. Sheaffer Pen was part of the reason Fort Madison was cointed “Pen City.” Located at 627 Avenue G in Fort Madison’s Historic Main Street District.
Sante Fe Bridge
Built in 1888. Local businessmen secured a government charter for a bridge to cross over to Niota with plans of the Peoria & Oquawka RR. Those railroadplans failed but the men held onto the charter for thirty-odd years and offered it to the Sante Fe with stipulations of crossing in Ft. Madison and not Keokuk. The Sante Fe took Ft. Madison’s offer and started to bridge the Mississippi in 1887. April 27, 1888 the first train crossed the bridge. The current bridge was built in 1927 with its 525 ft. swing span, which is labeled as the largest double-decker bridge in the world. The bridge has 2 railroad tracks and a highway.
Wilson Lake Rentals
Daniel McConn Barn
Iowa’s only bank/basement, double-decker, Penn-sylvania-Dutch barn, built in 1857 located on Highway 61 north of Fort Madison. This immense structure’s foundation is hand-laid stone with board and batten hand-hewn timbers joined with wooden pegs. Three cupola’s adorn the apex of the roof, a very distinctive feature that identifies the barn as one-of-a-kind. This is a most unusual barn for its size and design and it is one of the oldest and largest in the state. There are three levels to this barn and has only had seven owners in its history. Restoration of the barn took 3 years and is still used for agricultural purposes today. Although not open for daily tours, the barn is used annually for a non-denominational church service on Christmas Eve, by reservations only.
Sesquicentennial Mural
Located on your left at 613/615 Avenue G is the Sesquicentennial Mural, which follows an interconnected path depicting the area’s earliest history, consistent growth and present day life. The mural was painted by artist Dave Garrison from Burlington, Iowa, during 1996-97 to commemorate Iowa’s sesquicentennial.
Memorial for Veterans of the Civil War
Located in Riverview Park, this 1200 lb. granite boulder was dedicated by the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War (DUV) in 1930.
Veteran’s Memorial
Located in Riverview Park, the memorial has five marble benches embossed with the emblem of each of the five branches of the armed forces as well as flag poles containing the appropriate service flags, the US and State flags.
Brush College
Located 2 miles north of Fort Madison, Brush College was built over a hundred years ago to succeed the original log school on approximately the same site. It has been re-equipped with furnish-ings from the 1885-1890.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Located on the corner of 11th and Ave. E. Construction of the church was completed in 1868 with a tower spire of 236 feet. July 2, 1876 a tornado wiped through the city toppling the tower and spire. A new tower and 225 ft. spire was rebuilt in 1890. The carved altars were placed in the church in 1891. The original Pilcher pipe organ was destroyed by the tornado but replaced in 1878 by the Pfeffer pipe organ currently in use.
Cattermole Memorial Library
Located at 614 7th Street. Following the death of Elizabeth’s husband, Henry Cattermole in 1891, she deeded the property to the city and provided money for the construction of a library. The building was opened to the public on July 2, 1894 at a building cost of $25,000.00. Individually listed on the National Register as “Romanesque Revival” style, the only one in Fort Madison! The portrait of the Indian Chief, Black Hawk hangs in the library, which was commissioned to be painted in the 1880′s.
Engine #2913
Located in Riverview Park. The A.T. & S.F. Steam Engine 2913, located in Riverview Park, was given to the city by the Sante Fe in 1959. In April of 1960 the engine was dedicated during the 72nd anniversary of the Sante Fe’s first through train to Chicago and Kansas City. The 708,000 lb. engine, built in 1944, had been used to haul war equipment in the western states.
Sante Fe Depot
Originally built as the Atchison, Topeka and Sante Fe Railroad Depot. Completed in 1911, the county seat mission style depot, with its long and low tiled roof, arched windows and bell tower, is the only one in existence built in that era. This depot was presented to the city in 1971 by the Sante Fe to be used as a museum by the North Lee County Historical Society.
The Albright “Betsy Ross” House
Located at 716-718 Ave. F, this home has the most fame attached to it in Fort Madison. Built in 1858 by brothers William and Jacob Albright, Jacob’s wife, Rachel was the granddaughter of Betsy Ross. A story in a nationally distributed newspaper carried a story stating Betsy Ross’ ghost haunted the house. At the age of 92 Rachel sewed her last replica of the nations first flag and donated it to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 6th St. and Ave. E. Rachel Albright and her family, along with her mother, are buried in the city cemetary at 15th St. & Ave. H (Hwy 61). Renovations of this historic home continues.
Lee County Courthouse
Located on the corner of 7th St. and Ave. F. The original courthouse was built in the 1840′s but fire gutted the structure in 1911. In 1912 the courthouse was reconstructed to look similar to the original. This courthouse is the oldest in the state of Iowa in continuous use.
Fort Madison Area Arts Association
The FMAAA creates a palette of regular programs throughout the year. The gallery features fine art exhibits as well as a sales gallery carrying the works of over 40 artists. Each month a reception for the featured exhibition occurs to celebrate the culture. The featured exhibition is the heart of the FMAAA, beating with a new look every month. Lunch-ala-Art is a popular program that occurs 10 times a year.
Walking Trails
Riverview Park Trail
MILES: 1.11
RATING: Easy
The Riverview Park trail takes you along the waves of the Mississippi River to enjoy the sounds of the river. Also, along the path there is the history of the Old Fort. If open, take the time to learn about the history of the fort. There are benches along the path for resting, and to enjoy the riverfront.
Start at the far parking lot by the Catfish Bend Riverboat (plenty of parking) – follow the path along the Mississippi all the way down to Shelter Drive – turn left on Shelter Drive then left back up the road/sidewalk; follow back to your starting point.
Points of Interest: Mississippi River, Old Fort, play equipment, picnic area
Downtown-Parks Trail
MILES: 1.42
RATING: Moderate
The Downtown/Parks Trail allows you to take in two areas of town at once. While walking along Avenue G, be sure to do some window shopping, and learn about the businesses. Central Park and Old Settlers Park are two great areas to rest on a bench or to let the kids play on the playground equipment. During the summer months, walk this trail before stopping to listen to the city band concert or visiting the farmers market.
Start at Old Settler’s Park (corner of Avenue E and 4th Street) and head west to Central Park (corner ot Avenue E and 10th Street); turn left on 10th Street; follow to Avenue G – take a left on Avenue G; follow through downtown and then take a left on 4th Street beack to Old Settlers Park.
Points of Interest: Central Park, Old Settlers Park, play equipment, picnic areas, downtown businesses