28
Greef
General Store – Built of brick and stone in the Federal
style in 1853, it was once the largest store in the county, and housed
the Greef brothers' banking operations. The Greef General Store now
displays antiques and crafts for sale, Native American artifacts, and
historic Bentonsport information and memorabilia. It is also the home of
the Addie May Fudge Shop, an information center, and public restrooms.
Owned and operated by the Van Buren County Conservation Board. Open
April-December 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information call
319-592-3579. |
|
29 Bank of
Bentonsport – The false-fronted building was once twice as
large as it is now and contained the Masonic Hall on the second floor
and a business on the ground floor. It may have served as an early
headquarters for the Bank of Bentonsport, which incidentally printed its
own money for a short time. Owned and restored by the County
Conservation Board, it currently houses G&R Riverfront Unique Gifts
& Custom Framing Shop. |
|
30 Post
Office – The Bentonsport Post Office, built in 1852,
has features of the English Renaissance style. Constructed of solid
walnut, this one-and-a-half story building has Gothic details in the
cornice, small-paned windows, and shutters. Bentonsport’s was the 7th
post office to be opened in Iowa. The post office, not always in this
building, closed in the early 1940s. The building is used by the Mason
House Inn as the Independence Cottage. For more information see the
owners of the Mason House. |
|
31 Bentonsport
Bridge – Originally opened in 1883 to horse and buggy
traffic, this one lane iron bridge replaced ferries that linked Vernon
and Bentonsport. It is the oldest standing truss bridge across the Des
Moines River and also the longest. Damaged in the flood of 1903, it was
repaired and opened to vehicles once more. It was renovated by the
Bentonsport Improvement Association in 1994. It is now open for foot
traffic and bicycles. |
|
32 Vernon
Schoolhouse – This handsome Federal style building was
built in 1851 by architect Riley Cass. It was used as a school until
1960 and for many years operated as an art gallery. |
|
33 Vernon
Cemetery – Maintained by the Vernon Cemetery
Association, this cemetery is the final resting place of many of
Vernon’s founding fathers and mothers. |
|
|
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Tour Map
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28
Greef
General Store – Built of brick and stone in the Federal
style in 1853, it was once the largest store in the county, and housed
the Greef brothers' banking operations. The Greef General Store now
displays antiques and crafts for sale, Native American artifacts, and
historic Bentonsport information and memorabilia. It is also the home of
the Addie May Fudge Shop, an information center, and public restrooms.
Owned and operated by the Van Buren County Conservation Board. Open
April-December 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information call
319-592-3579.
29 Bank of
Bentonsport – The false-fronted building was once twice as
large as it is now and contained the Masonic Hall on the second floor
and a business on the ground floor. It may have served as an early
headquarters for the Bank of Bentonsport, which incidentally printed its
own money for a short time. Owned and restored by the County
Conservation Board, it currently houses G&R Riverfront Unique Gifts
& Custom Framing Shop.
30 Post
Office – The Bentonsport Post Office, built in 1852,
has features of the English Renaissance style. Constructed of solid
walnut, this one-and-a-half story building has Gothic details in the
cornice, small-paned windows, and shutters. Bentonsport’s was the 7th
post office to be opened in Iowa. The post office, not always in this
building, closed in the early 1940s. The building is used by the Mason
House Inn as the Independence Cottage. For more information see the
owners of the Mason House.
31 Bentonsport
Bridge – Originally opened in 1883 to horse and buggy
traffic, this one lane iron bridge replaced ferries that linked Vernon
and Bentonsport. It is the oldest standing truss bridge across the Des
Moines River and also the longest. Damaged in the flood of 1903, it was
repaired and opened to vehicles once more. It was renovated by the
Bentonsport Improvement Association in 1994. It is now open for foot
traffic and bicycles.
32 Vernon
Schoolhouse – This handsome Federal style building was
built in 1851 by architect Riley Cass. It was used as a school until
1960 and for many years operated as an art gallery.
33 Vernon
Cemetery – Maintained by the Vernon Cemetery
Association, this cemetery is the final resting place of many of
Vernon’s founding fathers and mothers.