Lawton IowaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Lawton, Iowa.
1. Bacon Creek Park
OUTDOOR FUN FOR ALL
Bacon Creek Park is a popular recreational area in Lawton featuring playgrounds and beautiful park grounds. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities and family-friendly amenities throughout the year. The park offers a peaceful setting for picnics, walks, and community gatherings.
2. First Brides Grave
HISTORIC MEMORIAL SITE
First Brides Grave is a historical landmark that commemorates an important piece of Lawton's early settlement history. The site serves as a memorial to one of the area's first pioneer women. Visitors come to reflect on the hardships faced by early settlers in Iowa's history.
3. Stone City Art Colony
CULTURAL ARTS HERITAGE
Stone City Art Colony is a significant cultural landmark showcasing Iowa's rich artistic heritage. The colony once attracted prominent Midwest artists and continues to inspire visitors with its historical importance to regional art. Its legacy represents an important chapter in Iowa's cultural development.
4. Hurstville Lime Kilns
INDUSTRIAL HISTORY PRESERVED
Hurstville Lime Kilns preserve an important aspect of Iowa's industrial history near Lawton. These historic structures demonstrate the lime-making process that was vital to early construction in the region. Visitors can learn about traditional manufacturing methods that helped build many of Iowa's early settlements.
5. Herbert Hoover Birthplace
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORICAL SITE
Herbert Hoover Birthplace in nearby West Branch includes the cottage where the 31st U.S. President was born. The grounds feature the President's and Mrs. Lou Henry Hoover's grave sites, along with a reconstructed blacksmith shop and one-room schoolhouse. The visitor center, run by the National Park Service, interprets Hoover's early life in Iowa through exhibits and a 76-acre tall-grass prairie.
6. Historic General Dodge House
VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL WONDER
The Historic General Dodge House is a magnificent 14-room, three-story Victorian mansion built in 1869 in Council Bluffs. It was constructed by Civil War general, railroad builder, banker and politician Grenville Dodge with advanced features for its time including central heating and hot and cold running water. The preserved home offers visitors a glimpse into the life of one of Iowa's most influential historical figures.
7. Old Capitol
IOWA'S FIRST STATEHOUSE
The Old Capitol in Iowa City served as the last territorial capitol (1842-1846) and first State Capitol building (1846-1857) before becoming The University of Iowa's first building. Restored to reflect its historical significance, it now offers self-guided tours through its impressive architecture and chambers. The building's exhibition galleries showcase changing displays that reflect Iowa's rich history, culture, and heritage.
8. The Reverend George B. Hitchcock House
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD STATION
The Reverend George B. Hitchcock House in Lewis was built in 1856 and served as an important station on the Underground Railroad. Constructed by Congregational minister Reverend George Hitchcock, the home played a crucial role in helping enslaved people seek freedom. In 2001, it received recognition as a National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site, cementing its importance in American civil rights history.
9. Amana Colonies
HISTORIC GERMAN SETTLEMENT
The Amana Colonies are seven historic villages founded by German Pietists seeking religious freedom in the 1850s. Visitors can explore the well-preserved buildings, shops, and restaurants that showcase the community's unique communal living history. Today, the colonies are known for their handcrafted furniture, woolen textiles, and traditional German cuisine.
10. Blood Run Site
ANCIENT INDIGENOUS SETTLEMENT
The Blood Run Site near Granite is an important archaeological area that was once a thriving Native American trading center from approximately 1500 to 1700 AD. The site contains numerous burial mounds, village areas, and other features that demonstrate its significance as a major Native American settlement. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, it represents one of the most important Oneota cultural sites in the Midwest.
11. Farm House Museum
AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER
The Farm House Museum in Ames stands as the first building on what would become Iowa State University's campus. Built in 1860, it served as a home for the first presidents of the university and later the deans of agriculture. Today, the museum preserves and displays the history of early farm life and education in Iowa with period-appropriate furnishings and exhibits.
12. George M. Verity Riverboat
HISTORIC MISSISSIPPI STEAMBOAT
The George M. Verity Riverboat in Keokuk is a preserved stern-wheel steamboat that once plied the waters of the Mississippi River. Built in 1927, this vessel represents an important era in river transportation and commerce in America's heartland. Visitors can tour the boat to learn about river navigation, the steamboat era, and the importance of waterways in Iowa's economic development.
13. Sioux City Art Center
CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY
The Sioux City Art Center is a premier cultural institution showcasing contemporary and regional artwork near Lawton. The center features rotating exhibitions, permanent collections, and educational programs for all ages throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy the thoughtfully designed spaces and outdoor sculpture garden that highlight the artistic talents of the Midwest region.
14. Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
WILDLIFE AND NATURE EXPLORATION
Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center offers immersive natural experiences with interactive exhibits about local wildlife and ecosystems. The center features hiking trails through woodlands and prairies where visitors can observe native plants and animals in their natural habitats. Educational programs and events throughout the year make this a popular destination for nature enthusiasts of all ages.
15. Sergeant Floyd Monument
LEWIS AND CLARK MEMORIAL
The Sergeant Floyd Monument in nearby Sioux City commemorates Charles Floyd, the only member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to die during their journey. Standing 100 feet tall, this obelisk marks the burial site of Floyd and offers panoramic views of the Missouri River valley from its location. Designated as the first National Historic Landmark in the United States in 1960, it represents an important piece of early American exploration history.