mile west of Lorimor, just off Highway 169, was the first white settlement in Union County. This site founded by Mormon Scout, Parley Pratt, served as a way station on the original Mormon Trail in 1846 until 1852. 
Your Outdoor Adventure Awaits in Union County
Whether its deer or turkey, waterfowl or pheasants, walleye, muskie or the lowly catfish, opportunities for hunting and fishing are plentiful in and around Union County. Union County’s High Lakes offer an array of outdoor recreational opportunities unmatched in southern Iowa. Five lakes including award winning 3-Mile Lake and Green Valley Lake State Park along with 2,500 acres of publicly owned woodland and prairie….all conveniently located with a 20-mile radius of each other can be found here.
Three great golf courses can also be found in Union County along with an expanding hiking and biking trail.
For more information on hunting, fishing or other activities in the area please call Union County Conservation at 641-782-1755. For free travel guides please call Creston/Union County Tourism at 641-782-7022 or visit our website at www.unioncountyiowatourism.com
Visit Historic Mount Pisgah Mormon National Monument
Mt. Pisgah located four miles south and one mile west of Lorimor, just off Highway 169, was the first white settlement in Union County. This site founded by Mormon Scout, Parley Pratt, served as a way station on the original Mormon Trail in 1846 until 1852.
Between 1846 and 1852 more than 2,000 people made their homes here while thousands of others simply passed through on their way west. Even those headed west to the gold fields in California stopped at Mt. Pisgah for supplies.
Today you can tour a cabin that was built as a reproduction of the type built as shelter by those early Mormons. You can pause at the monument erected on this site in memory of the residents who did not survive their journey. Three hundred Mormons were buried here in just the first few months. You can trace wagon tracks across the prairie grass trail that eventually became a main thoroughfare to the west. You may picnic in the park or visit the old school house museum on site.
Tours are available. For more information or to schedule a tour please call Bob Brown at 641-763-2504, or email at bbrown1704@yahoo.com.
Take a Trip to Afton
Afton, located at the intersection of Highways 169 and 34, is the southern Gateway to Three Mile Lake, recently named one of the Top Ten fishing lakes in Iowa.
It is a community that meets you and greets you on the square. The town was built around the traditional Town Square. Every Tuesday evening from June through August, the community still gathers in the City Park, located in downtown Afton, to enjoy Lawn Chair nights and a Farmers Market complete with music and food. The Lion’s Club holds a Pre-Fourth of July celebration in the park the Sunday before the Fourth. A Community Church Service, food, entertainment and games are some of the activities on the day’s agenda.
Afton has been host to the Union County Fair for as long as anyone can remember. A parade, rodeo and demolition derby headline the fair. While at the fair, visit the industry booths, tour the animal barns, 4-H booths and enjoy the great cooking and homemade ice cream. In December enjoy the holiday Extravaganza.
Be sure to add Afton to your travel agenda. It is a great place to visit. Please call 641-347-5224 for further details or visit or website at www.aftoniowa.com
Creston – The Regional Hub of Southwest Iowa
Welcome to Creston, a community located in the beautiful rolling hillsides of southwest Iowa. The citizens of Creston are proud of their community and look forward to sharing it with you. As the regional hub of Southwest Iowa for shopping, education, medical services, industry and fun, Creston caters to residents and visitors wanting personal service, in a gorgeous setting.
Creston offers a wide variety of services and businesses. It has several motels and bed and breakfast with more than 200 rooms and excellent meeting facilities. National and regional chains along with locally owned shops provide a real shopping treat. Creston hosts several events during the year as well. A traditional Independence Day celebration each July 4th complete with a parade, carnival and the best fireworks display in Southwest Iowa make it a must attend. The annual Creston Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days on the third weekend of September is the second largest of its kind in the state. In addition to the balloon races, the festival features a parade of bands, craft fair, flea market and more. A Lighted Christmas Parade, Quilt Show, Festival of Trees and other activities is held the first Thursday after Thanksgiving to round out the cities festivals.
We invite you to visit Creston during one of our annual events or anytime during the year. Come and discover the opportunities that await you in Creston. For more information please call the Creston Chamber of Commerce at (641) 782-7021 or visit our website at www.crestoniowachamber.com.
Experience Creston’s Historic Depot
Creston was founded as a railroad town in 1869.
It was the high point on the Burlington line between the two great rivers, the Missouri and Mississippi. The railroad continued to prosper until the depression, when tremendous declines in railroad traffic brought a round of divisional consolidations.
In 1960 Creston was cut from the division title and with passenger traffic on the decline, the historic1899 Rail Depot was closed and sold to the city of Creston for $1.00. Shortly thereafter, the building was condemned and scheduled for demolition, but citizens of Creston saved the historic landmark. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and in 1978 the first City offices moved in.
Today, besides Creston City offices you can find the Union County Congregate Meal Site located in the building. Also, the restored Depot now houses a Presidential Doll Collection, given to the city by a long-time resident, which depict all first ladies in their inaugural gowns through Mrs. Clinton. In the Memorial Room on the first floor, designed as a waiting area from long ago, the Creston Model Railroaders have built a working replica of Creston during its railroad hey day.
Many train lovers visit the Depot to enjoy the atmosphere and the over thirty trains that still pass or stop in Creston on a daily basis. For more information please call 641-782-7022 or visit our website at www.crestoniowachamber.com
Union County Historical Complex and Museum Is a Must See
The Union County Historical Complex and Museum
is located in Creston just off West Highway 34 in beautiful McKinley Park. It is a complex of buildings reminiscent of a prospering village in early Iowa around the 1890’s. You can see the fully furnished last operating rural school in Union County. Other original buildings brought to the complex include an 1855 log cabin, a barn originally built in 1896, a house built before 1900 and the Spaulding Methodist Church, built in 1878 where weddings still take place today. A depot, originally from Lucas and later used at Brooks, along with a signal tower from the Creston rail yards and a caboose, emphasize the importance of the railroad heritage to the area.
Replicas in the village include a general store, harness shop, barbershop, blacksmith shop, fire station, machine shed and gristmill. A museum adjoins the village and contains hundreds of artifacts and Union County memorabilia.
The Complex hosts the annual Pioneer Days event on the 4th of July. Demonstrations and music representing Union County’s heritage are presented.
The Complex is open daily from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. during June, July and August and is free to the public. Tours can also be scheduled during the year. For more information please call Don at 641-782-4352.
Enjoy Creston/Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days No in It’s 31st Year
Creston and Southwest Iowa’s rolling hills and blue skies provide a perfect setting for over 60 hot air balloons participating in the Hot Air Balloon Days the third weekend in September – September 19, 20 & 21, 2008. Now in it’s 31st year, the event is the second largest of its kind in the state of Iowa.
In addition to the balloon races during the weekend there is also the annual Balloon Days Parade with high school marching bands from across the area, balloonists and many others on Saturday morning. The Creston City Center is the site of various activities for spectators of all ages as well. A Flea Market and Craft Fair in and around the Depot is a must see as well as a stroll through town to visit the local merchants open for your shopping pleasure during the day.
On Saturday afternoon you can continue to enjoy your day at the airport and participate in or enjoy the pedal pull and Pet Show. The very popular NightGlow begins at dusk. The event wraps up on Sunday morning with the last balloon race, weather permitting.
Mark your calendar and make your plans now to attend. For more information please call the Creston Chamber of Commerce at 641-782-7022 or visit their website at www.crestoniowachamber.com.
Up, Up and Away.
Visit Union County's Website at: unioncountyiowatourism.com
