Our town streets and historic homes tell stories about the rich and famous, unsolved murder mysteries or can make your heart race as you place yourself among those fleeing for safety on the Underground Railroad.
Twice acclaimed Most Unique and Iowa's Most Beautiful City, Clarinda is also the only town with this unique name in the United States. Platted in 1853 as a square around a public block, the distinctive feature of the plat was the wide streets running two blocks in all directions creating the Promenade.
Grab your tennis shoes for a moderate hike on the Promenade Tour. Twenty-seven historic homes and public buildings (all within walking distance of the public square) are just waiting to highlight a little of the town's history.
The Page County Courthouse
Built in 1885, dominates the public square. It was partially destroyed by fire in 1991 and restored to replicate its original architecture. Note the interior stained glass windows and the domed ceiling under the replaced clock tower. Visitors are welcome to tour during business hours. The courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
300 South 15th Street
An interesting site is a Queen Anne, three-story residence that was later used by a local Doctor as a hospital. You will want to note the turret atop the roof and the corbelled chimneys, elongated windows and decorative exterior design.
Colonial White House Bed & Breakfast
A beautiful three-story Neo-Colonial house built in 1906. Antiques and heirlooms fill each room, two fireplaces, leaded and stained glass windows and a Frank Lloyd Wright chandelier. On the National Register of Historic Places.
Phone: 712-542-5006
Web site: http://www.colonialwhitehouse.com
For a Promenade guide & map contact: Clarinda Chamber of Commerce
Phone: 712-542-2166
Web site: http://www.clarindaiowa.com
Golden Rod Schoolhouse, 1600 South 16th Street
See the country school house and learn about Jessie Field Shambaugh (sister of Henry Field) and the birth of 4-H.
Tue-Sun 1-4 p.m.
Phone: 712-542-3073
314 East 4th
This picturesque village is home to Iowa's most famous unsolved murder. Six family members and two guests were murdered at the J.B. Moore home in 1912. This case has inspired many on-going investigations, theatrical versions of courtroom cases, documentaries and attracted the attention of many paranormal researchers and investigators.
The house has been restored to its original 1900's appearance and is open to the public. On Register of Historic Places. Best to call for an appointment. Phone: 712-826-2756
Heritage Hill Tour
Red Oak is well known for its spectacular array of turn-of-the-century homes that have been lovingly cared for and preserved as single family dwellings. The large number of grand historic homes in present day Red Oak reflects the wealth of the era from 1880 to 1910.
Those who wish to catch an exterior glimpse of these Victorian beauties or to see good samples of architecture from the Italianate of the 1870s to the neo-Georgian 1916 are invited to walk or drive the Heritage Hill Tour.
Red Oak's Touchstone Art Council sponsors a Holiday Tour on the first Sunday of December each year. You can contact the Chamber of Commerce in advance to inquire about the Heritage Hill homes that will be included on the tour.
Example sites: Montgomery County Courthouse, one block west of the town square
Built in 1890 of red Missouri limestone, this striking building in the Gothic Revival style, still has the interior intact. On the National Register of Historic Places, it is worth a trip inside!
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Daily
610 Eighth Street
A stunning example of the grandeur of the Queen Anne style, this lovely home was built in 1870. The present owners are restoring it to its original magnificence, even applying gold leaf to the exterior trim by hand!
802 Eighth Street When Judge Smith McPherson became a federal district judge, he needed a more imposing home, so he built this of red Missouri limestone, using the same architect who built the courthouse.
711 Coolbaugh
This magnificent Queen Anne home was built in 1894. The home as you see it today is still in the original colors.
For a brochure guide and map contact the Red Oak Chamber of Commerce. Phone: 712-623-482 Web site: http://www.redoakiowa.com
Inner Circle Tour of Historic
First visited by explorers, Lewis and Clark, in 1804, Council Bluffs has welcomed many who were pivotal to the commercial and residential development of this historic gateway and the American West.
The Council Bluffs Historic Preservation Alliance worked with homeowners and businesses to preserve the unique history of the city's "inner circle." Today, visitors can take walking tours in six historic neighborhoods.
Four residential districts featured on the tour provide excellent examples of the early homes of the city's military, business and professional leaders. Two commercial districts housed the earliest businesses. St. Joseph House in the Haymarket is the oldest commercial building remaining in the city. 52 sites are selected for the tour.
You may take the tour to study the architecture anytime. During the Autumn in the Bluffs event, the first weekend in October, you can experience the rare privilege of visiting some of the private homes on the "Inner Circle" tour to view lavish woodwork, stained glass windows, beautiful fireplaces, grand staircases and 12-foot ceilings.
Perhaps one of Council Bluffs' most famous residents, General Grenville Dodge, has been called "the greatest railroad builder of all time." A Civil War veteran, Dodge's involvement in political, financial and military affairs made him an associate of many of the most influential Americans of his time.
In 1869, Dodge built his handsome Victorian home at 605 Third Street at a cost of $35,000, a lavish sum for that day. The fourteen-room, three-story mansion stands on a high terrace overlooking the Missouri River Valley and displays such architectural features as parquet floors, cherry, walnut and butternut woodwork, and a number of "modern" conveniences quite unusual for the period.
The Dodge house is open daily for tours.
Phone: 712-322-2406
Web site: http://www.dodgehouse.org
For the Inner Circle Tour pick up guide map at the Chamber of Commerce, 7 North 6th Street.
Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Phone: 712-325-1000
Hitchcock House, one mile west of Lewis
A newly designated National Historic Landmark, the Hitchcock House is on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized as a National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site. Tours available.
Phone: 712-769-2323
Web site: http://www.hitchcockhouse.org
Historic General Dodge House, 605 Third St.
This Victorian house-museum was built by Grenville and Mrs. Dodge in 1869-70. Dodge was a Civil War General, railroad builder, banker and politician. Open daily for tours. Annual Holiday Open House features 25 decorated Christmas trees in a variety of styles. Phone: 712-322-2406 Web site: http://www.dodgehouse.org
Southwest Iowa boasts nearly 100 historic places listed on the National Register. While in the area, you may want to visit:
Squirrel Cage Jail, 226 Pearl Street
This unique jail served as the Pottawattamie County Jail from 1885-1969. This one-of-a-kind structure was one of 18 revolving (lazy susan style) jails built and the only three story one ever built. Call for appointments.
Wed-Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
April-October 31
Phone: 712-323-2509
Earth Lodge
The earth lodge and a collection of artifacts from the Earthlodge people who lived in the area between 800 and 1200 A.D. are available. Reconstructed Earth Lodge can be seen by Appointment and Indian artifacts are located in the Historical Museum complex in Glenwood Lake Park.
Phone: 712-527-5038
St. Patrick Church, 308 Third Street
Built on a hill in a town of about 80 people, this church is large enough to hold groups of 1,000. Altars are white Carrara marble from Pietrasanta, Italy. Main alter is 29 feet high by 18 feet wide, side altars are 18 feet high by 8 feet wide. The Stations of the Cross are Venetian Mosaics of Gothic Style. Stained glass windows imported from Munich, Austria.
Phone: 712-386-2277