Burr Oak, Iowa has a museum at the old Masters Hotel where the Ingalls family lived for two years. In a letter dated June 10, 1947, Laura Ingalls Wilder said, "My family did live in Burr Oak for nearly two years, but I fear my memories of that time will not be very interesting as they are more of the place than of the people." Grace, Laura's youngest sister, was born in Burr Oak and the family moved back to Walnut Grove, Minnesota in 1878.

Write for more information to:
Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum
PO Box 43
Burr Oak, Iowa 52131.

Moingona, Iowa is the site where Kate Shelley, in July of 1881, saved a train load of people from a raging river. Her story is told in Hawkeye Adventures, chapter 21, by Bernice Reida and Ann Irwin (Lake Mills, Iowa: Graphic Publishing Company, 1966). Her story is also told in three picture books: Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express: American Folk Legend by Wesley Porter (Watts, 1979); Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express by Margaret K. Wetterer (Carolrhoda, 1990); and Kate Shelley: Bound for Legend by Robert San Souci (Dial, 1995). Tourists can visit the bridge and the depot in Moingona.

Schools and libraries were important to early Iowans but so were churches. The Old Zion Methodist Church in Dubuque, Iowa is a historical site because it was built in the late 1800s and it was one of Iowa's first churches. Seventy people donated from 12 cents to 25 dollars. If you want to read more about it you might want to look it up in Hawkeye Adventures by Bernice Reida and Ann Irwin (Graphic Pub., 1966).

-- Information reported by Nick.

The Quaker Oats Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa began as a mill to process oats into oatmeal. It is now the largest cereal plant. It is a historical site because it is the largest oatmeal producer in the world. If you want more information about this place you can read Iowa by Angela Sjolund and Richard Sjolund (McRoberts Pub., 1975).

-- Information reported by Dawn.

The Larrabee School at Clermont, Iowa was built by former Governor and Mrs. William Larrabee. The school was presented to the district as a gift. If you want to learn more about this school you can find more information about it in Iowa Beautiful Land: A History of Iowa by Jessie Merrill Dwelle (Klipto Loose Leaf Co., 1958).

-- Information reported by Jamie.

Known as the Old Capitol this structure served as Iowa's territorial capitol and the first state capitol. The Old Capitol was designed by John Francis Rague of Springfield, Illinois. The building was completed in 1842. After awhile Iowa's capitol was moved to Des Moines. The Old Capitol building is located on the University of Iowa.

If you know of a place that people should visit in Iowa e-mail us a message and tell us about it:

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©Copyright 1996, 1999, 2000 by 150 Years of Literacy in Iowa -- All Rights Reserved
These pages initially developed by Sharron L. McElmeel and students attending Harrison Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The pages are maintained by Sharron L. McElmeel and hosted by the Grant Wood Area Education Agency.