A large steam locomotive wheel and a memorial plaque mark the site of a train robbery at Jesse James Historical Park. Jesse James’s gang committed the robbery on July 21, 1873, one and a half miles west of Adair, Iowa. The seven-acre park is a restored piece of prairie. Here, a tangible historical reminder meets a landscape that is also part of the visit.
History in Landscapes and Places
The White Pole Road connects Adair, Casey, Menlo, Stuart and Dexter. It recalls an unpaved road from the early 20th century and highlights the transportation history of rural Iowa communities. Along the route, you can also trace the history of an abandoned wagon trail, former parallel railroad lines and the development of road travel. Weather permitting, you can explore remaining sections of the route officially planned in 1913.
Wallace Farm also brings history together with a walk through the prairie: it is the birthplace farm of Henry A. Wallace in Orient. Five outdoor sculptures stand along a prairie walking trail about three-quarters of a mile long. Self-guided visits are possible every day, at any time of day or evening; staff are on site seasonally. This makes it possible to explore without a guided tour, while keeping the seasonal staff presence in mind when planning your visit.
The farm also hosts the Prairie Art Exhibit every year from June through September. More than 80 paintings by members of the local community are displayed in a nine-acre restored prairie. The walk is free and self-guided, and visitors can come from sunrise to sunset. As the exhibit is seasonal, it is advisable to check the current dates before visiting. At Pizza on the Prairie, summer Fridays bring wood-fired pizza with farm-grown vegetables and locally sourced meat, as well as live music. Check current dates and reservations in advance.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The Adair County Heritage Museum consists of eight buildings on a five-acre site. The complex reflects the history of Adair County. The Iowa Aviation Museum offers a different view of the state’s past: it opened at the airport in Greenfield in 1990 and preserves, restores and displays historic aircraft and related memorabilia. The collection includes an Aviation Hall of Fame and a library of photographs and accounts of Iowans who contributed to the development of aviation.
The Saints Center for Culture and the Arts is a restored historic Byzantine church. The spaces described include a main hall with a vaulted ceiling and a historic winter chapel. The site adds an example of sacred architecture to the area’s museum and transportation history.
Woodlands, Prairie and Trails
The Ken Sidey Nature Area combines a woodland preserve with hiking opportunities: the area covers 107 acres and has three miles of trails. It is also suitable for birdwatching and gathering mushrooms and berries. At Lake Orient, a two-mile mowed grass trail runs along the shore. The two trails therefore differ both in length and in their described surroundings.
You can find other kinds of landscapes at the Karl & Grace Correll Wildlife Area. Of its 45 acres, 30 are restored prairie. The mowed trails are one and a half miles long and lead through tall prairie grass; there is also a footbridge. Hoskins Wildlife Area covers 120 acres, including a two-acre stocked pond and a butterfly habitat. Together, these areas showcase different aspects of prairie and wildlife.
By the Water and Along the Middle River
Lake Orient is a 24-acre lake stocked with channel catfish, sunfish, crappie and bass. Facilities at the lake include campsites with electrical and water hookups, a shower and shelter building, a playground and a boat ramp. For a visit focused on the lake, recreation, trails and access to the water come together in one place.
The Middle River Forest Area covers 38 acres of wooded bottomland and higher-elevation woodland. It is the upstream starting point of the Middle River Water Trail. The 38.6-mile paddling route passes through the American heartland, alongside limestone outcrops, woodland and diverse wildlife; historic bridges are also among its features. By contrast, Lake Orient centers on the lake, its short walking trail and the facilities described above. These waterways and nature areas thus offer different ways to discover the region’s nature and history.
Discover more destinations: Adair, Lucas County, Webster County, Buena Vista County, Kossuth County, Hancock County, Calhoun County, Cherokee County.
For the broader travel overview: Iowa.
