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CHEATSheet: Fort Madison
TRAVELLinks
TRIED AND TRUE
LOCAL FAVORITES
EATS
sympathetic to the British, were preparing to attack. The re-creation includes authentically dressed historic interpreters who
Old Fort Madison, Riverside Park, is a recreation of the structure built here by the U.S. Army in 1808 and abandoned and torched in 1812 when the Sac and Fox, who were
HISTORY
Built in 1909, this mission revival style Old Santa Fe Depot Historical Complex, Avenue H & 9th Street, is the home of the North Lee County Historical Museum. This museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its unique architecture. The railroad complex is a classic for those interested in railroad history, firefighting lore, Sheaffer Fountain Pen history, territorial and pioneer days. Step aboard a Santa Fe Railroad Caboose and visit a museum room dedicated to the devastating Mississippi River Flood of 1993. Open May through September. Special appointments also available. Call 319.372.7661
SITES
Alpha's on the Riverfront, 709 Avenue H, (319/372-1411) is owned and operated by Kumar Wickramasingha, an international exchange student who eventually settled in Fort Madison and became a U.S. citizen. The restaurant is renowned for such delicacies as Fennel Infused Pork Loin and Onion Wraps with Brandy Mustard and Citrus Barbeque, Marinated Pork Loin Salad with Mushrooms and Sun Dried Tomatoes, and Fried Strawberries.
The original Ivy Bake Shoppe is a small bakery cafe located at 7th Street and Avenue G, (319/441-2327) in downtown Fort Madison. The bakery features incredible pastries and sweets, as well as lunch specials such things as warm onion pie, tortilla soup, tomato basil pie, muffelettas, roast beef wraps with sundried tomato pesto, portabello / feta panini, chicken pot pie in a flaky crust, meat and vegetable quiche, blackberry scones, and warm caramel apple tart.
As many as 90 trains operated by Burlington Northern & Santa Fe or Amtrak pass the Kingsley Inn (707 Avenue H, 319/372-7074) every day. Guests in any of the beautiful rooms will find a complimentary pair of earplugs if trains aren’t their thing. But for train enthusiasts, the hotel offers a terrific weekend package ($240) offers a front row seat to watch the trains cross the spectactular Santa Fe Bridge, the longest double-decker bridge in the world. Guests also have access to a scanner which picks of BSNF communications. The package includes breakfast and lunch, and two nights in the riverfront whirlpool suite.
structure of its kind in the state. Pennsylvania Dutch double-decker banked-basement barn is known as the McConn Barn. It was built in 1857 and could hold up to 100 tons of loose hay on two sides of the open second and third stories, with stanchions and stalls on the lower level to milk cows and house livestock. The 60-by-80-foot barn is unique in Iowa with its three ventilation cupolas atop the roof. For a tour of the barn or for more information, call 319/372-2624.
The McConn Barn, Hwy 61 N, Fort Madison, is the only
explain what life in the fort. See sleeping quarters for enlisted men and officers as well as the trading post. Admission. Open daily 9-5 Memorial Day through August 31 and weekends only May 1 - Memorial Day, September and October.
