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Attractions
The North Lee County Historical Museum is located in the Old Santa Fe Depot. The Mission Revival-style depot was built in 1909 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum has an abundance of local Fort Madison history. Railroad history, a Civil War display, farming exhibits, and arrowheads are some of the sights to see. There is also a museum dedicated to the Flood of 1993. Call (319) 372-7661 for more information.
Old Fort Madison
was constructed in 1808 and became the first United States military post
on the upper Mississippi River. The fort was built to protect the trading
post and helped to secure the newly acquired frontier. The surprise attacks
from local Indians took their toll on the army stationed there. In September
1813 the post commander, Lieutenant Thomas Hamilton, decided to abandon
the fort. The regiment left in the night and set fire to the fort as they
left. Today, visitors can view a reconstructed fort and watch living history
demonstrations. The fort also hosts numerous summer events. For more information
call (319) 372-6318.
The Santa Fe Swing Span Bridge was built in 1927. Measuring
525 feet, the bridge is the world’s longest double decker swing
span bridge. The top level accommodates automobile traffic while the lower
level provides a path for the Santa Fe Railroad traffic. The bridge rotates
to allow river traffic to pass safely.
Fort Madison’s local architecture has been highlighted in a self-guided tour brochure. The tour covers nearly 100 Victorian-style homes. Each structure was researched and a detailed description is included in the brochure. The brochure is provided by the Fort Madison Historic Preservation Commission. For information about the brochure call (319) 372-7661.
The North Lee County Courthouse was built in 1840 to stop other Lee County communities from contesting the decision to make Fort Madison the county seat. The courthouse is a Greek Revival and is the oldest courthouse in continuous use in Iowa. In 1847 the Iowa Legislature granted Keokuk a concurrent jurisdiction making Lee County the only Iowa county with two county seats.
The Fort Madison, Farmington, & Western Railroad Museum is located between Fort Madison and Donnellson. The museum has an authentic turn-of-the-century railroad station and village complete with a schoolhouse, sawmill, and train depot. Exhibits include railroad cars, maps, photographs, and artifacts. Visitors can take a half-hour, two-mile train ride through the scenic countryside. For more information call (319) 837-6689.
Fort Madison is home to Iowa’s only maximum security prison, the Iowa State Penitentiary. The prison was built in 1839 and served as a territorial prison before Iowa was a state. The original cell block is still in use today and several cell houses are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nearly 900 inmates are housed at the Iowa State Penitentiary.
The Fort Madison Center hosts a variety of fine art exhibits from regional and nationally known artists. Exhibits include paintings, pottery, wood carvings, and jewelry. You can purchase artwork from more than 40 local artists at the center. The Fort Madison Art Center is located at 615 7th Street. For more details call (319) 372-3996.