Wayne County, IA

Wayne County, IA

Traveling the Mormon Trail

Beginning in March of 1846 the vanguard of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) began their trek across Iowa in what renowned historian H.H. Bancroft called a “migration without parallel in the world’s history.” Between 1846 and 1869, more than 70,000 Mormons trekked from Nauvoo, Ill., to Salt Lake City. The main route across Iowa, now marked by road signs, meanders atop the rolling hills of southern Iowa from Montrose to Council Bluffs.

The Iowa Mormon Trail Association was formed as a nonprofit organization several years ago and has continued to grow year after year. IMTA’s mission is to research, develop, and celebrate the historic Mormon Trails throughout Iowa. After careful research the organization placed markers along the main routes traveled by the Mormon Pioneers to help guide tourists along the trail. There are interpretive panels in notable places in each of the twelve Iowa counties that were crossed by the Mormon Pioneers to inform the many travelers who follow the trail each year.

The Iowa Mormon Trail Association board of directors meets bi-monthly at alternating sites. IMTA publishes a quarterly newsletter sent to members and interested parties. Books pertaining to the organization and the historic trail are maintained in the Prairie Trails Museum of Wayne County library. Membership in the IMTA is $15 yearly for individual or family. If you are interested in joining the IMTA contact: Jane Briley, 707 Fremont, Creston, IA 5081

To learn more about the historic Pioneer Trail across Iowa visit the Iowa Mormon Trail Association website http://iowa-mormon-trails.org

Old Settler Celebration in August

Join us for the 126th edition of Corydon's Old Settler Celebration.

The Old Settler C, held each year on the second weekend in August is celebration 126 years this year. The celebration was created by a committee of community leaders with the objective of promoting social and fraternal relations among the residents of the county.

The present Old Settler Committee promotes the weekend as a chance for people of all ages to get together for a weekend of fun, entertainment, and socializing. Past Alumni and friends are encouraged to plan their reunions in conjunction with the event. Everyone who enjoys a great summer festival in Iowa is invited.

      The celebration kicks off on Thursday night with a free concert on the square followed by an exciting lineup of activities and events over the course of the weekend. This year features a 5K run, 10K run, a 2-mile walk, and a 3 on 3 basketball tournament and a parade. There are games for the children and a parade just for the kids, too. The square is filled with arts and crafts displays along with a carnival and food vendors. Free concerts on Friday and Saturday night and much, much, more!

     Plan now to be in Corydon, Iowa, August 7^th, 8^th, & 9^thfor a great weekend of fun!
For more information contact:   Corydon Old Settler Committee at 641-872-1198

Summer on the Square 2008: Corydon, Iowa

The 2006 edition of the Summer on the Square concert series kicks off the season in June this year with another jam packed schedule of Blue’s, Country, Pop, Jazz, and light classics to entertain the crowds on Thursday nights in Corydon, Iowa. The concerts are free but donations are always accepted.

The weekly event held from June through July each year has entertained hundreds each week for almost fifteen years as young and old a like come together to enjoy the evening air with food and entertainment. Last years series featured the “Celebration Iowa” troop of student musicians.

The music is performed outside in our bandstand. The Wayne Theatre, across the street, is used for inclement weather.

Included in this series in the Annual Fourth of July Festival featuring a parade around the square, a pie baking contest, basset hound festival, barbeque, free entertainment on the square, and much much more. The days festivities conclude with fireworks, at dusk, over Corydon Lake.

Bring your lawn chairs and prepare for a summer of fun in Corydon, Iowa!

The concert series is sponsored in part by the Corydon City Council, WAYCO Arts Council, and the Chamber of Commerce.

For more information or a concert schedule contact:

WAYCO Arts Council 641-872-1198

Prairie Trails, One of the Best in the Nation

Reflecting the pride in Wayne County’s history is the award-winning Prairie Trails Museum of museum Wayne County, located in Corydon, IA on highway 2. It has been ranked one of the best small museums in the nation. The eye-catching red Heritage Barn has an amazing farm collection, including two steam engines and two threshing machines. Children will especially enjoy the livestock pens with sheep, pigs, and horses; or they can gather eggs from the nesting boxes in the chicken house.

The almost 22,000 sq. ft. main brick building houses many and varied artifacts pertaining to Southern Iowa and specifically Wayne County history over the past 150 years. Take a stroll down Main Street which has a General Store, doctor’s office, barber shop, beauty shop, post office, telephone office, bank, and old fashioned photographer’s studio. Of course, you won’t want to miss the actual safe from the Ocobock Bank in Corydon, which was robbed by Jesse James and his gang June 3, 1871.

In the Pioneer Trails gallery a special exhibit dedicated to the Mormon Pioneer trail features a covered wagon and two oxen. As you listen to the story of the hardships endured by the Pioneers as they traveled across Iowa in 1846 you will hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing “Come, Come Ye Saints.” This song was written by William Clayton on April 15, 1846 near Locust Creek in the southeastern part of what was to become Wayne County.

Prairie Trails Museum continues to add new exhibits and update existing ones. The west wing holds numerous 20^th Century artifacts such as a 1926 Fire Truck and horse drawn vehicles (school bus, mail truck, and hearse). New additions to the 20^th Century exhibit in 2006 is a replica 1930’s era gas station with a visible gas pump and station attendant in uniform ready to service the 1933 Plymouth Coupe. While visiting the 20^th Century gallery no one will want to miss Harry’s Dog House with 8,000 dogs of various sizes and some moving ones!

There are two annual celebrations at the museum each year. Freedom Ring is on July 4^th at 3 pm. with a featured speaker and program. The program finishes with everyone gathering outside in front of the museum to ring the collection of 15 large bells. The 5th Pioneer Festival will be Oct 7 beginning at 3 pm. in the Heritage Barn. Demonstrations of old time crafts, music, chuck wagon feed, and kids games are just some of the activities that can be enjoyed that afternoon and evening.

. The museum is open daily April 15 thru Oct 15. June, July, & August weekdays 10-5 Sundays 1-5; April, May September, October daily 1-5. Admission is $5.00 for adults; $3.00 for college students; $2.00 for Jr/Sr high; $1.00 for K-6^th. Group rates are available for 20 or more.

With over 25,000 artifacts in five galleries and the Heritage Barn there is something in the Prairie Trials Museum to interest everyone. Take a stroll through the past in Corydon, IA at the Prairie Trails Museum of Wayne County.

Visit the Prairie Trails Museum webpage at: http://www.prairietrailsmuseum.org/

Restoration of Wilson House in Progress Near Allerton

In the fall of 2004 , the International Center for Rural Culture and Art had a Queen Anne Style Victorian house moved to the Round Barn site just east of Allerton. Restoration of the house is currently under way . The house was built in the town of Allerton in 1897 by Joseph F. Wilson and family. Both Joseph and his wife Victoria were early settlers in the area, raising two daughters in the house. During the Civil War Joseph had lost his left arm at the Battle of Shiloh, when he was only 17 years old.
The two story house, with circular rooms on the southwest corner, was placed on a new basement foundation. There is a small meeting room and restrooms in the walk-out basement. The rest of the house is being restored with period furnishings and decorations. The Wilson house is located at the historic site, just east of Allerton, where the 50 foot diameter Round Barn was built in 1912.

Also at the site are the 1887 New York Christian Church (from New York, Iowa) and the 1868 one room Williams School House. The Round Barn , church and school house are fully restored and open for tours in the summer or any time by appointment. The Round Barn site has become a popular destination for school field trips, some of which plan all day activities to show students what life was like at the turn of the century.. Everyone is welcome to visit the site. See our ad or call 641-783-4259 for more information.