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Fort Madison, Iowa _________________
Driving Directions
Take IL 104 west and continue on it when it becomes US 24 for 6 miles.
Take US 61 north for 64 miles to Fort Madison. Approximately 70 miles.
Calendar of Events
Visit this Fort
Madison site for a calendar of events .
History
Fort Madison was constructed in 1808 with the purpose of protecting
a military trading post. Sporadic Indian attacks led to the eventual abandonment
of the fort in 1813. Located on the west bank of the Mississippi River,
the army left by boat in the dark of night after setting fire to the fort.
Twenty years later, the 1833 Black Hawk Treaty provided a promise of peace for the region. The treaty allowed Fort Madison to begin growing as settlers came west looking for a new life. In 1836 Fort Madison was named the county seat for Lee County. A battle began within Lee County over which community should be the county seat. In 1847 Fort Madison and Keokuk were given concurrent jurisdiction making Lee County, Iowa’s only county with two county seats.
After the Civil War, Fort Madison businesses flourished. Lumber, brick, and local goods were shipped to other markets via the Mississippi River. By 1869 Fort Madison was part of the railroad system which further boosted the local economy. In 1887 the Santa Fe Railroad built a bridge across the Mississippi River and brought a wealth of business from the East Coast.
In 1908 the Sheaffer Pen Company was started in Fort Madison. Today Sheaffer is an internationally known company and keeps its headquarters in Fort Madison.
In 1927 the original Santa Fe Bridge was replaced with a 525-foot swing span bridge, the largest of its kind in the world. The bridge’s upper deck supports automobile traffic while the lower deck is strictly trains. It is still in working order today and offers visitors a unique way of crossing the Mighty Mississippi.
Fort Madison offers a wealth of history, architecture, and natural beauty.
For additional information about the area contact the Fort Madison Area
Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 210-8687.
Climate/Weather Conditions
Average Temperatures
January 22°F
February 27°F
March 39°F
April 51°F
May 62°F
June 71°F
July 76°F
August 73°F
September 65°F
October 54°F
November 41°F
December 27°F
Average precipitation = 38 inches/year
Local Websites
Fort Madison Chamber of Commerce