Historical Detours: A Day Trip to Fort Madison, Iowa

If you’re driving down Highway 61 in Iowa and begin to drive through Fort Madison, you’ll see three things that capture your attention: a rustic group of buildings looking out of place even though its surroundings aren’t overtly modern, you’ll notice the Big Muddy or the Mississippi River flowing placidly in the background, and you’ll notice another historic looking structure, with modern additions, and a large intimidating fence enclosing the area. Stopping at Fort Madison, you can take a tour of the reconstructed Fort Madison, you can take a walk on the banks of the Mississippi, and you can glance from afar parts of the Iowa State Penitentiary that were built back in 1839, before Iowa was even given its statehood.

The Penitentiary is, for obvious reasons, not a tourable facility. However, the intimidating structure is intriguing just to observe. As one of the oldest correctional facilities west of the Mississippi River, it is definitely a sight to view.

The Mississippi River is always a draw, from it’s head in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico where it empties. In Fort Madison, the “Big Muddy” as it is affectionately called, offers a quiet peaceful place for a walk. Paved trails on the banks of the river, coupled with benches and areas to fish, the Mississippi offers something for everyone-including the history lover.

Overlooking the Mississippi is the main draw of this historical detour: Old Fort Madison, which is a reconstructed frontier outpost. In 1808, Fort Madison was built to serve many functions including as a trading posts with Native Americans of the area as well as a presence to secure the American frontier in its territory. The fort was named in honor of the current President of the United States, James Madison.

During the War of 1812, the military abandoned the fort, setting fire to it as they fled on the Mississippi. Not until the 1980s was a replica of Fort Madison and its buildings built through grant money.

Today, the Fort has replicated twelve main areas of the fort. From the Officer’s Quarters to the garden, Old Fort Madison gives visitors a realistic view into life in the Fort during the early 1800s. Filled with historical artifacts and historical displays, the unassuming replication offers much valuable information. It also gives a spectacular view of the Mississippi. Those on hand are knowledgeable and extremely friendly. Fort Madison is an excellent place to spend an hour or two being transported back to the very rough years of the early 1800s, before Iowa was even a state.

A quick detour through Fort Madison, Iowa offers fun, relaxation and loads of fascinating history. If you’re in the area, take a few hours to enjoy the scenery and absorb some history.